The record-union., 1897-09-05
AT0NEMENT.
Continued from Seventh Page)

In vain. Strip him, Johnny COM
manded the robber. A bag of gold re-
warded the search. The robber looked
: disappointed There's another, you de-
ceitful old simpleton. Do you know
where liars go when they die? Look
| sharp, Johnny. There are generally
two in such cases as his. Look in his
stockings man. Try the cushions in
| the coach Nothing further was found,
and With the order to knock him sense
less if he didn't stop his driveling. the
nervous gentleman was dropped all in
heap on one side.
The young man from New York
/ handed over a few dollars and a silver
watch. These he gave up good-natur-
| eddy. saying, When you are travelling
at the expense of your company, it does
not much matter
| Now, Johnny, who is that in the
corner? A lady? Well trot her out.
But he easy, Johnny don't hurt her
| feelings. Always treat the ladies kind
| ly. They're purity creatures
Holding her child pressed close to
her breast, the lady stepped out, dis
| dalning the drivers proffered hand.
The child was now awake, and was
munching a biscuit. She looked around
with a troubled face The mother said
quite calmly as if this We're an every
day experience, Here is all the money
| have. 1 hope you will let me keep it,
for without any money 1 shall be bad
ly off in this inhospitable country. I
have heard that men like you are good
to women and children
q" Count it, Johnny.
=" I make it about SD
The robber really tried to speak civ
lily. The woman's cool bearing seemed
to impress him. How'd you come here,
anyhow he said Mostly t'other
kind IN these parts-men. you know
" I want to find my husband, who
lives in Virginia City
Husband in Virginia! 'Tain't often
that their wives comes to look 'em up.
What's your mans name. Some ac-
quainted in that lovely, virtuous town
myself
Charley Reeves But he may
have taken another name, although
when he left me he had done nothing
to make him ashamed of his own name
There was an exclamation from the
three road-agents. Black Charleys
wife said one, with an oath. We'll,
here's a go
Does your dear husband expect
you?' said the leader
g No, he does not. This is his baby
And 1 believe for her sake, if not for
me, he will come back to us, and go
with me to our lod home
Mrs. Reeves am free to say, I re-
gret your visit unannounced, and
that's fact If I were you, I'd take
the neyt stage back, and send in your
card first. Charley might rather you'd
wait for an invitation. You see. he
might want to fix up little, and find
his present housekeeper a new situa-
tion. A little awkward meeting her.
She moves in a different set from what
you do l am thinking
You don't need to insult me; only
towards talk that way to defenseless
woman. [ don't believe you know my
husband. He at least was always good
| to my sex and his sins were not of
that sort. He was only little wild,
and he got into bad company, with
such men as you are. One thing he
never did, and that is to rob a stage
coach, with a horrid mask on his face,
and a murderous pistol in his hand
ut took courage to stand up like
that, before those desperadoes. The
woman showed no fear and her
eyes blazed with scorn. She stood per-
fectly erect, all the while holding her
| baby pressed close to her breast.
THE man laughed. a trifle uneasily.
'Hal hal That's good. Not SO bad
as US Why. ma am, Black Charley is
an honor to our noble profession. I've
| been with him when he done it, and
I've took my lessons from him. He
| doesn't say much. A man of deeds,
rather than words, eh, boys? But he
does it brown. 1 say. we might as
we'll leave her money be- No telling
how Black Charley'd take it. For all
he's a dear friend of mine, I'd just as
soon not make him mad with me. An
ugly customer, when he thinks he has
| an account to settle with anybody.
Give her back the money, Johnny, and
you, am, tell your husband that we
didn't touch you nor none of your
things. Give him my best regards
when you see him. Johnny, just give
| that stage another look, will you? Gin
orally, when there's one bag of gold
| there's two Beats all what he done
with the other. Don't find nothin'
| Well, all right. Half loafs better
| than none. Much obleeged, Johnny,
| I'll remember you in my will. Help
| the folks in and wish 'em a safe and
prosperous journey. Where's your man
ners? Ladies first, every time. Now
then, up with you, old fellow Give
| him the reins Joe. Farewell, ladies
| and gentlemen.
| lifted their
hats, then galloped away, and were
soon out of sight. 1t took several min
utes for the passengers to get settled.
The driver came to the window and
mumbled an apology for his forced part
in the transaction. He was assured
that no ill-will was borne him. He was
as helpless as the passengers them
selves. Soon he mounted the box
cracked his whip, and the coach began
slowly to ascend the hill.
Y.
1.-THE ioy and gratitude of the nervous
man at the recovery of his one bag of
gold was boundless. He offered to
share his property with all his fellow
travellers. The young man refused for
the party, and said that for himself,
he could telegraph to his employers
and obtain as much money as he should
need. His lips were set little more
tightly than usual Trust me, he said
Two, at least, of these fellows shall
swing for this days business. One of
them had red whiskers. I saw them
behind his mask, and I noticed two
fingers gone from the left hand of an
other. l believe l can identify them,
and I shall give an account of this
piece of work to one of the Vigilantes
whom I happen to know. They are