Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-08-13
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

tbs TcCulldI F1tdOIHB VI no x
( Fathers Life. +
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There were five men Of us and a boy
in the far western stagccoach as it
rolled over the rough roads Of Dakota.
We had been together for four days.
We called the boy Jim because his fa-
Their did. We knew his father to be
Colonel Weston, banker cattleman and
mine owner The colonel wasn't man
to whom stranger would take at first
glance, and even after four days Of his
company none of us could say we liked
him. When you came to study him
closely, you saw that he was revenge
FIJI and relentless. The boy was frank,
clipper and good natured, and you
took a liking to him as soon as you
looked into his big blue eyes. His age
was about 10, and he had wit and
knowledge beyond his years. We had
yet 20 miles to go to reach the termi-
nus, and the hour was about . o'clock
in the afternoon when the coach came
to a sudden halt as it toiled up hill.
Next moment the driver called to us:
IAN you folks what don't want your
heads blown off had better get down
and line up. We've been stopped by
road agent"
We had arms In plenty, but no one
moved to resist. Every bullet fired by
the robber would bore it's way through
the coach and fiEd target. while the
robber had the cover of the horses and
was safe from our fire. 1t seems cow
ardly when you read 1t. but to get
down and submit to be robbed was the
wisest thing to do under the crcum-
stances.
Little Jim was not bit frightened.
On the contrary, he rather enjoyed the
situation. 1t was not so with the colo
mel. saw him turn pale and heard
him cursing under his breath, and he
was the last man to get down.
The robber had double barreled
shotgun in his hands. He cautioned
the driver to hold the coach where 1T
| was and then advanced upon us. He
| glanced carelessly into each face until
| his eyes rested on the colonel. Then he
gave a sudden start. drew in his breath
with gasp and we realized that there
was a recognition. The colonel grew
| white under his look and began to
| tremble. The boy had no sooner looked
| into the road agents face than he cried
| out:
"Nhy, it's Mr.. Pelton-Mr. Pelton!
Say, Mr.. Pelton, I'm awfully glad to
see YOU Whcre've you been this long
time?"
$50 it's you, Jimmy" laughed the
robbcr rs he held out his hand for a
shake. "Well, you have been growing
since | saw you last. It's wonder
you knew me at first sight"
"Oh | used to like you so well l
couldn't forget your face" replied the
| boy. "Are there robbers around, Mr..
pelton?"
With gentle hand the man pushed the
boy back in line and then stepped back
pace or two. AS he did so his face
grew very sober, and I saw a fash in
his black eyes did not like. His voice
was low and steady as he finally said:
"I'm much obliged for your prompt
ness in climbing down and lining up,
and | think I'll let you off this time.
The four of you may 90 back into the
coach and go on. Pm leaving your
guns with You. hut don't attempt to
play me any trick
The colonel took his son by the hand
and attempted to enter the stage with
us. but the robber motioned him back.
"W-what do you want Of me-? asked
the colonel in Il voice which quavercd.
"I'll tell YOU later" was the. reply.
AS the coach started on we looked
out to see the three standing IN the
road. Little Jim still had hold Of his
fathers hand. but had reached out the
other and caught the robbers sleeve.
When we had gone 200 feet, the road
turned and shut them from our view.
At the disappearance of the stage the
man turned on Colonel Weston and
pointed to the hillside Oh the right and
said:
"Move on that way. Jimmy, give me
your hand and I'll help you along"
The white faced colonel entered the
pines and held straight course up the
hill. Behind him came the robber and
his son. The boy had been full of curl
osity at first, but presently he was
awed and frightened by the looks cast
upon his father.
Two or three years before he ano
Mr.. Pelton had been great friends. Mr.
Pelton had been manager for his ia
Their. One day there had been bittel
quarrel, pistols had been drawn, the
sheriff had rushed in, and Mr.. Peltor
had fed to escape arrest. He remem
bered his father calling the fugitive
thief and of men being sent out to hun
him down. All this came back to hin
as they followed the father up thu
rough way, and though he knew moth
ing of mans vengeance there was
feeling of dread in his soul. Now ant
then the robber ordered the colonel tt
the right or left, but these were thu
only words spoken until they final!
reached rude camp high up anon,
the powders. BY and by the robbie
half turned to look the colonel in TIT
face and said
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