The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-05-05
GOVERNMENT PROTECTION.
The sorrel Mare Was Carrying Mall
bag So They Couldn't Ee stepped.

believe that q United states mailbag
does not confer high powers upon a
bobtail horse car or any other un
common kind of vehiClo serves to
revive memories Of the elopemcnt
of Luke Marshall and tie Myers
girl.
There never was such an elope-
ment in the history of the Teton
country. 1t was the most delibcr-
ate, tranquil and leisurely running
away with which record had before
or has since dealt. Tie elopenent
was two days in its progress from
one given point to another, and the
given points, which were Myers
ranch, up in Maryyille, aud Eek
burg, down on the mesa, were
scarcely more than 50 miles apart.
And old man Myers hung around in
the rear and in front and at the
flank all that time, trying to stop
the enterprise, but being utterly
baffled by a hearty observance and
regard for law.
Myers used to talk about rights
and justice and law and all that
kind of thing great deal and had
made speeches ct many a mountain
meeting against violence and illegal
acts, and SO on.
Blame it," he argued. "f you
people 60 on lyEchin rustlers instid
O. sendin 'em down to Evanston for
trial, you'll never git no postofice
ner any other favor O the gov 'ment,
but'll stay right on, a passel o ig-
porart exiles" And he argued so
well that lawless justice actually
ceased, and eventually star ronte
postal delivery was established by an
approving government, and IL rec
ognition Of Myers services be w94
doomed for postmaster and deputy
marshal, both of which otuces were
given to him. After that le was
more legal than ever.
Luke Marshall carried the mail
form Rexburg, riding tho pass ca
his sorrei mare, AID it w:s quite
natural that hs should fail in love
with the girl at the rOstoiiice. Nov,
Myers. for all his earnest talk about
lawlessness. had already ianed two
men and SHOT tho Car OF another
becauso at various times they had
tried to Prove to him tliat he ought to
let the girl marry. Luke Marshall
was no such fcol as these. One cay
when he was ready to leave for heE-
burg he called 10 the postmaster s
daughter to fetch her jacket and
come on. The girl cane cut, and
Luke lifted her up 10 comfortable
seat upon the mailbag behind him.
Here! What themi" cried old
Myers, marshal and postmaster.
"Oh. we're going over the range
to get married" said Luke casually.
We're eloping."
! Old Myers drew up his winches-
ter. "Juie! Get down of n there!"
he cried. II want fair aim to git
that feller square through the eye. !"
This was where Marshall's nerve
came out strong. Get out of the
way, you anarchist!" he cried.
Don't you see you're delayin the
United States mail! A man of your
age! A man holdin two public
o@cesl Delayin the gov'ment Of the
United States, as is represented IN
this sorrel mare an this bag. Stand
aside or I'll have you as deputy
marshal arrest yerself as private
citizen an call yerself as rostmas-
ter to witness the breakin OF the
law"
Old Myers slowly let his gun
down. You mean-you'- he
mum bled.
Il mean that this sorrel mare rep
resents an actually is the goy'ment
of the United States an you delay
her on her travels at your risk. i"
But hold on, Luke! That's my
girl
Marshall drew his silver watch.
Are you an anarchist, an outlaw,
an attacker of gov 'ment an fanat-
ici" he inquired. It's 10 o'clock. :"
And as Myers sullenly stepped aside
the elopers started off at slow jog.
Old Myers followed them all the
way to Rexburg ard tried to catch
Luke off his goyernmentally endow-
ed sorrel mare, cut without avail,
for the mail carrier knew his limita-
tions and did not dismount until he
reached the justice shop in the
town. And of course after that the
4 NJ 10