Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-09-25
SIXTH DAY.
SHOTGUN SOVEREIGNTY.

Il was Sunday morning. What .
Sabbath experience. thought Mrs.
Hurst and the girls as they conjured
up visions Of Fifth avenue and the
richly dressed churchgoing procession
Of which they usually formed a part!
What a Sabbath experience, thought
| Chester Ives as he stood facing the
motley gang Of cutthroats, while down
the gloomy vista Of the cavern he
could see the forms Of the women hud-
| died together on the sand for protec-
| ton and comfort. while few PAGES
away stood couple Of the gang on
guard.
This amt quite as tony As that
there car o. yourn," began Jim Dallon.
addressing Mr.. Draper. 'but It's good
enough for poor devils like rs, and
praps you and your lady frien's can
manage to worry along. You ain't
obliged to stay here no longer than
you ike" he added truculently.
"why have we been brought hereT
inquired John Draper.
"well. pard. It's just this way" said
Dallon. who did all the talking. Some
people gifts all the fat In this life, and
some gifts all the lean. Here's you. fr
instance" checking OF the Index finger
OF his left hand with his right fore
finger. "and here's u.s." indicating the
second finger. by all signs you've got
more moncy'n you know what to do
with. and we've got none. don't ask
you how you come by it-you got II.
and that's enough fer me-" he said saw
ageiy. looking around at his auditors.
That's the kind O. talk. cap'n," said
one. while angry looks were directed
on the chief object Of their attack.
John Draper.
"Such bein the case" resumed the
outlaw. with forced politeness. "the
present perceedin's has for their OBJ
jec' the unloadln O. some o your sur
plus cash for the benefit O. the poor
laborin man. Amt that so, boysT
Right you are. Cap'n Jim." was the
unanimous answer.
"Now." said Dallon. resuming his ar-
gument. "how much do you vally your
self at. John DraperT
"Oh. I'm not rich man. as rich men
Co." replied Draper. affecting to mis-
understand the fellows meaning and
fencing with him.
"I don't mean that" hastily rejoIncd
Dallon. 81 know how much money
we got soaked away-about 6ve mil
lions o. dollars. guess What | mean
ID, How much do you vally that hide
o. yours-wot's 1t worth TO you to get
out O. this scrapeT
Draper was silent Chester Ives
stood by. taking no part In the col.
ioquy. yet closely noting every word.
Filiey, too. could not help being inter
ested In the outcome Of the duel OF
words-indecd. he experienced fellow
feeling for the robber. Their trades
were not so far apart, and perhaps he
might do worse than Join the gang
when his own private and particular
crash came.
While the president hesitated, weigh
Ing oil the chances. considering the
sufYerings Of the ladies. seeing clearly
that worse might follow II Dallon
were enraged and also running over In
his mind the chances Of rescue or es-
cape. the captain Of the band resumed:
might rs well understand that yer
trapped hard and fast oh. yes, they'll
send out a search party from Denver"
be laughed. reading Diapers thoughts.
"and they'll maybe fnd them kyars.
What theni They can't find yous. not
till choose. You're q long cry from
the railroad anyways" Then. step
ping forward. he hissed In Diapers
ear:
"How about the women folks? l
shouldn't like 'em to git hurted. but
won't answer for the boys II you're
ugly. they'll be ugly too"
This decided John Draper. They
were In q hole. that was clear. Better
get out with as little damage as posi-.
ble. So he said curtly:
"Name your price,"
The gang crowded around In eager
ness now that the crucial point was
reached. Dallon was clearly embar-
raised. II was his move. II he asked
too much. the negotiations would be
prolonged and thus increase the
chances Of detection. On the other
hand, n he named too little he would
"everlastingly kick himself" as he ele-
gantly phrased bis inward thoughts.
Twice he moistened bis lips and essay.
ed TO speak. but the words refused to
come. At length he raped out:
Fifty thousand dollarsg'
"Doner exclaimed Draper q quiet.
" a though be were buying block Of
stock on Change in New York. But
you don't suppose carry that much
money about me. do your he inquired.
"Not on yer lifeg' was the slangy re-
joinder. -I've thought O. that" said
Dallon In a staggering tone. elated
and conceited at the success OF his plot
and strutting before his men IKE the
monarch Of barnyard.
"You got q checkbook, GposAr
"Yes."
"well. your names good in Denver
for hesp Rore'n $4,000"
II see what you mean." replied ORA
per. 'But Ill be fair and plain with
you. No bank In Denver would cash
check for any one Of you men for s.
without Identification. much less for
$4,000 The man that presents that
check will be detained and questioned.
and then your whole plot 70 exposed"
'You make me tiredr' snorted Dai-
lon. "As II ! hadn't thought Of Ill
that. What do you take me for. Q farm
err D'you think I'm such fool - TO
show me face In Denver or 70 let one
O. me boys do 1T Not muchl What's
the matter with havin one o. your
friends 80 to the bank-him Or him."
pointing nrst at Ives and then at
Filley. with q escort q course, !
mean" be added hastily. II guess be
can cit the money. and a. be knows
what It's fer he amt goin 10 expose no
| plot Hey. what d'you sayr
The thing was feasible certainty and
proved that Dallon had engineered bis
vils scheme IN Z 6endishly clever man
ner. Uncle John thought . momen,
and then said:
"Yes. It WIN do"
| sCourse it'll do" growled Dallon.
| sNov- vhich a thee ERE young gents