St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-01-18
5af srrllann.
THE LITTLE MANN THE CORNER.


left CHEYENNE for Deadwood with
eight passengers Seven were men,
one was woman. AS they jour
neved towards Deadwood they con-
versed among themselves. Each
expressed different opinions as TO
the probability Of a hold up. Some
said they would hide money
under the cushions, others would
surrender what bills or gold
they might possess, while two or
three men exhibited revOlvers and
vowed that they would make resist
ance The woman said that she had
only 500 in the world. She had
come West to make living by keep
ing a restaurant in the mining
camps, and had done very well until
a fire destroyed her property and in
vestment She was going back to
her son in New England and spend
the remainder of her days upon his
farm. The safest place imaginable,
in her opinion, was the sole OF her
left foot, and she had accordingly
placed two $50 bills inside her shoe.
There was a small man seated in
the corner next to the driver. His
hat was pulled well over his eyes
and he kept constantly in his lap
small black valise He took no part
in the conversation, and it was not
long until the passengers, who re-
ceivedsrather curt responses to such
questions as they addressed to him,
began to regard his actions with
suspicion.
well, the coach rolled on towards
Deadwood. Next morning, along
towards nine o'clock, the expected
robbers appeared. The messenger
was shot and slightly wounded, the
driver and messenger compelled to
dismount and put up their hands.
The passengers were ordered out OF
the coach, and it is needless to say
that they obeyed with alacrity. The
three men who were to resist the
robbers were so awed by the pres
ence of several large revolvers thrust
IN their faces that they gave up their
treasures with little remOnstrance.
Said one of the robbers: It's ag'in'
our rules to bother women so, old
girl, we won't search you. While
two OF the desperadoes went through
the pockets OF the men. another hap
corner. Hello, said he, here's one
in the coach. Come out of there
The man appeared, but without his
little black valise. He was very
poorly dressed, thin. pale and effect
ed by hacking cough. Said he:
Boys, l hain't got much-only a
few dollars. | am going back east
20 die, If you take what little l got
l won't have no money to get meals.
My railroad ticket amt any use to
you. If you will let me alone | will
tell you where you can get $1OO.'
AT this the poor old woman turn
ed pale, and some of the passengers
began to mutter
"'All right said the spokesman
of the bandits: well search you,
and if you amt lying we'll let you
go if you'll tell US where we can get
that $1OO.'
$50 they searched him, and found
ST or So in silver in his pockets.
which they let him keep.
Now said the consumptive
looking man, ''if you'll make this old
woman take off her left shoe you
will find next to the sole of her shoe
TWO you bills.
The robbers compelled the old
lady to loosen her shoes and found
the money. Upon this they took
their departure, the passengers
mounted the coach and the journey
towards Deadwood was resumed
Scarcely had they entered when a
torrent of abuse was heaped upon
the small man. You villain!' said
one. You ought to be hung One
of the men called to the driver to
stop. The mean man in the corner
was dragged out of the coach and
the excited passengers were about to
string him up to the nearest tree.
"'One minute! just one minnte!'
pleaded he. 1t is only ten or twelve
miles to the next station, and 1t is
customary in this country to give
man little show for his life l beg
of you just go that far, and if l can't
properly explain you can hang me-
The driver told the passengers
that the men at that station would
not interfere if the suspect could not
make proper defence of his action,
and as the fellow pleaded so hard
they re-entered the coach and pro-
ceeded upon their Journey There
was little said during the next hour
and a half. The mean man was
closely watched by the male passen-
gers and escape for him was impos-
sible
LAS the buildings of the station
cameinto view uponthe coach sudden
~ swinging around a bend in the road,
the small man frightened up consid
erably. Now said he 1 will tell
you. We are perfectly safe here, as
this line is free from robbers. l have
$25,OO0 in my grip, and the only
way that l could save it was by di
verting the attention of the robbers