The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-07-29
A ROBBERS FAKE.
BY Zaidee Maxwell.

BY Zaidee Maxwell.
1t was about the middle of June, in
the year 1865, that the old stage coach
rumbled out of Los Angeles crowded
with passengers bound for the different
sea ports along the coast, AS Is usual
when persons are together promis-
cuously, each one tried to ignore the
presence of the others, and fixed a
penetrating, baneful gaze upon some
innocent inanimate object, fully con-
WINGED at the same time that the eyes
of all the rest were directed towards
him.
Suddenly an old man who had been
reading a newspaper, under all sorts
of difficulties, broke the silence with an
excited exclamation. 1t startled the
others and they proceeded to look in
Quiringly at the originator of the dis
turbance. The object of their atten-
ton coughed and cleared his throat to
give dignity to his statement, and then
read the following:
- , one of the most famous
bandits in California, who was SEN
fenced to be hung on July l, escaped
last night from the Jail in Los Angeles
and is believed to be vending his way
to San Pedro, from where he probably
Intends sailing to another part of the
state. A reward OF $1,000 is Offered
for his capture, dead or alive"
II knew 1t would be So" piped up
pelligerent little man. II don't believe
there is prison strong enough to hold
such slippery fellow"
"My goodness" exclaimed spinster,
whose modest gaze had never wander
ed from the top of the coach. Il hope
we don't meet him."
There is nothing / would like bet.
err" sneered would-be brave youth.
''But alas! he wouldn't dare to give us
that pleasure"
do you think he is any where's
around here?" queried the old gentle
man, addressing the driver.
Il wouldn't be bit surprised If we
net him tonight. There is a smooth
olace' for such an encounter about
>hree miles north of here. 1t is dark
and gloomy and I've had several ex-
periences there in the last year, and
they weren't any too pleasant, l tell
you that now"
1t was beginning to grow dusk and
The travellers grew perceptibly uneasy
lnder the mournful influence of the
gathering shadows, and their discom-
'ort increased as the darkness began
to hide the green hills from one an
other and left them lonely.
The vehicle rolled on into a wilder
and more desolate region and the con-
sersation of its occupants began to
conform to the surroundings. They
'elated the most thrilling ghost stories,
hen they spoke of 'hold-ups," and
lair-breadth escapes from death at the
hands Of such and such band of out
avs. Finally they launched boldly on
he topic that was uppermost in their
minds, and spoke in subdued voices Of
he robber, how bold and fearless he
was.
"Wh-where did you sa-ay tha-that
place was?" queried the old gentleman.
We'll soon be there" responded the
driver.
The nerves of the company were
pretty well shaken when the road
urned suddenly around clump of
pushes. The horses had just turned
when man stepped from one of the
'ecesses and commanded in a clear,
ense tone:
Stand! Hold up your hands!"
The driver stopped. The affrighted
inmates Of the coach peered out and
.ould indistinctly descry the figures Of
five men. The steel of their weapons
glimmered family in the starlight.
Two men stood on each side of the
.oach and one, their leader, opened the
loor. His manner and bearing was
hat of a perfect gentleman. He DOTTED
ais hat, but the Pickering light of the
coach lamp gave only dim, fitful view
Of his features.
Don't shoot, boys, unless they re-
sist," he remarked to his companions,
who stood like so many statues.
II beg your pardon for disturbing
you, ladies, but you need not leave
your seats. Gentlemen, will trouble
you to dismount."
Those who alighted were searched
with celebrity and thoroughness and
returned to their seats minus their
money and jewelry and there they sat
with wide-open eyes and white faces,
got yet able to fully realize what had
happened.
A minute had scarcely passed before
che bandit informed them that they
were at liberty to proceed, and as the
coach hurried away into the darkness,
he shook the clothes loose from the
frames that supported his four dunn
mics, rolled them in neat bundle and
disappeared.