Arizona republican., 1894-10-27

cutting of throat S,@---
 She was living as his mistress with a hardened character known as ''Robber Dan," an American, whose life both in and out of the penitentiary was a series of misdeeds. He had earned his title as she had earned hers. They were well matched in their criminal ca reers, although the woman ha l thus far known TO more of prison life than is afforded by county jails. Her only child. boy of twelve years, had, like his mother. became professional beg gar and thief.
 The i'll treatment she had received at the hands and tongues of the miners at Rico had burned into her soul like hot iron, though the wound was largely healed by the soft words and the silver so kindly bestowed by John France. But, since she was not likely ever to be able to carry out her threat of death to all save her own race and equally incapacitated to in sure the blessings of the saints which she had invoked, neither her curses nor her prayers were needed. How ever, none who knew her had any faith in Black Rosa's possession of goodwill toward any one of American or European blood.
 Even Robber Dan and his male com panions in crime-who formed the most notorious and daring band of robbers in southern Colorado-did not escape the vindictive spirit of Black Rosa. But the woman was useful to them, and when plentifully supplied with drink there was no crime too black for her wicked heart nor scheme too deep for her cunning brain. If she possessed a single redeeming trait no one had been able to discover it.
 Durango had been ab1aze with the glory of frontier Iife-a glory which comes but once in the lifetime of a new town. But there was then little regard felt for the future by the for tune hunters who swarmed the streets and filled up the hotels and held high revelry in the saloons and dance halls of that camp.
 Honest men with capital, seeking to double their investments in a fort night, stood on the same level of as- sociation with the horse thief and the road agent Mine promoters and gamblers drank over the same bar. The crack of the stage drivers whip was but tic echo of the pistol shot. Business conversations and ribald songs, laughter and curses inter- mingled in wild hurrah chorus.
 Going back to the mine in the morn ing?" asked the clerk of the hotel 9 minute later, as France approached the desk and asked for writing ma terial.
 "Yes, surer'
 "Stage leaves at two o'clock"
 "Wen, call me a half hour earlier, and don't, for your head, let me. miss the stage. I must be at the mine to- morrow by all means. By the way, have lost a white silk hankerchief with black border. Look out for it. :"
 A few minutes later, while France was still busy writing. Sheriff Barney approached him and presented little Mexican chap in whose possession had been found the silk handkerchief
 ''What shall I do with him?" asked the sheriff.
 "Lock him up," said the manager of the Bull Domingo hotel, lock him up! That is the little rascal who came to me few minutes ago begging for money. I gave him two bits and he shows his gratitude by stealing my handkerchief"
 The attention of the loungers about the hotel office was attracted by these loudly spoken words of John France; but they did not hear what he said in a hurried undertone to the sheriff, so there was a murmur of indignation against the man who would seek the punishment of child for stealing a silk handkerchief-an that after it had been returned.
 John France laughed and went to his room, while the sheriff smiled, as he always smiled in danger and out, and fed the boy away. The crowd looked puzzled.
 He had my boy locked up, did he?' shrieked Black Rosa, when the details of this little episode were related to her. The black face of the little Mex ican woman seemed ablaze with indig- nation. ''He shall pay for this!''
 ''Senora forgets the two silver dol lars" taunted Robber Dan; q thought the senora might feel sorry that we had planned to rob this fine Ameri- cano. But it's all right now-is it, dearest?' he added, mockingly.
 Rob him! murder him." yelled Black Rosa, and she staggered from her chair, as if she would carry out her nrrn md h11t fall a1a tha Aao,- ,,,