The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-04-12
WHOLE NO. 1880

advertised that would attempt the
trip from Denver to San Francisco
But this was only to get bigger col
lection. | had no idea of such thing
Just before all was ready Mr. Drift
came up 10 me and asked some ques-
tons about my sensations when knock
ing about in the clouds Nov | hap
pcncd to know by accident that he had
the check in his pocket and i eussed
idea struck me all in heap / saw
that he had the cloud fever pretty bad,
81 | answered his questions by telling
him to come along and see for himself
lie said he wouldn't mind II | wasn't
going on such a long trip. With that
| whispered in his ear that | had no
intention of it. To come along II he
wanted to, and | would set him down
on hard ground again by night An
right, he whispers. Just walt little;
I'll be ready So presently back comes
a chap all rugged out in blue overalls
and an old hat ii was Mr.. Drift, but
didn't know il until he told me. You
see. he says. 1 don't want my friends
to know anything about IT, SO | put
on this disguise. With that. We step
ped into the car and they let her go.
Well. we got up pretty high and began
TO drift brlskly TO the southwest. My
man took II sudden notion To come
down, got scared guess. | put him
OF while. But he began To get
funny; and just out with gun and
told him to get out that $50 900 check
and indorse IT, He cut up about it.
and then turned in and begged like IA
dog But | held him 10 it, and he
hadn't more than got his name down
before let him have it-yes, sir. killed
him right there
We'll. there Isn't much more to tell,
except that after drifting around all
night, first in one direction and then
in another, found myself at daybrcak
about Il thousand feet above range of
mountains. | looked through my
glass, but couldn't see any ranches
about 30 | just pulled the valve
string and let her come down pretty
close to the ground Then | threw
the body out About that time sud
den squat came up and caught the bal
loon. II pitched about mt Il terrible
rate, and once | lost my red silk cap.
| managed to hold ON for some eight or
ten miles, when the balloon struck Il
mountain top and went to pieces.
stayed long enough to gather up the
wreck and burn II. Then made my
way To the nearest settlement and on
to the railroad striking il at Wins
low.
After this remarkable confession,
bringing out 80 wildly the leading
facts which Flora had worked out one
at time with such patient labor, there
was little else for the court 10 do than
sentence the Snowman to suffer the full
| penalty OF the law.
As for Flora she was the heroine
| of the hour. The old cattleman came
up with two big tears rolling down his
| withered cheek My child, | couldn't
thank you enough II was to keep at 1t
the rest OF my life. You have set me
right before the public, so that nobody
can he pointing a finger at me and n
saying as how | was the one what KILL
ed your father.
The cashier of the First National
congratulated her warmly, while, at
the same time, the shopkeeper was
telling her cxcitedlS You joost de
smartest leedlc yomans never did see
II vas remarkable. remarkable"
And the two Indian tralers came up
with eSteudcd hands. How, how,
yellow Hair" said bloodhound; me
tell IA king Wolf you biggest trailer
in whole country Indian see nothing
no more"
Dick felt keen pride at Floras
achievement iiut the San Francisco
expert felt something an un-
bounded admiration for the 18-year-old
girl that had taught him so many val
liable hints In regard TO his own pro-
fcssion.
And he Is at work now on case of
far different character, which may de-
velop into the most important one OF
his whole life, Hut he says he shall
not be able to accomplish u thing I'M
less Flora helps him out.