Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-09-15
A ROMANCE
OF THE RAIL.
BY FREDERICK REDDALL.
Copyright, 1900, by Frederick Reddall.

Copyright, 1900, by Frederick Reddall
SIXTH DAY.
SHOTGUN SOVEREIGNTY.
It was Sunday morning. What q
Sabbath experience, thought Mrs.
Hurst and the girls as they conjured
ND visions of Fifth avenue and the
richly dressed churchgoing procession
Of which they usually formed q 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.
tion and comfort, while q few PAGES
away stood q couple Of the gang on
guard. I>~ : So
sThis 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 us, and
praps you and your lady frien's can
manage to worry along. You amt
obliged Il, stay here no longer than han
you ike he added truculently.
.eWhy have we been brought hereT'
inquired John Draper.
'..yTell pard. It's just this way" SAID
Dal.on, 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, sald here's us," Indicating the
second % finger. "Ry an signs you've got
more money'n you know what TO do
with, and we've got none. don't ask
You You how you come BY it-you got y,
and that's enough fer me-, he said say:
agely, leoking around at his auditors.
a'~Thafs the kind O. talk, cap'n," said
one, while angry looks were directed
on the chief object. Of their attack.
John Draper. III. 80 = 49,
4ssuch, bein the case" resumed the
outlaw, with forced poiiteness, .the
present perceedin's has for their OBJ
tec' the unloadinso' some O. your sur
plus cash Tor the benefit O. the poor
laborin man. AIn't that so, boys?
"Right you are, Cap'n Jm." was the
unanimous answer
%..NocSw., said DaiIon, resuming bis ar
gument, chow much do you yally your
self at, John DraperT' :r' ~. : -
T''Oh, I'm not a rich man, as rich men
CO." replied Draper, affecting to mis-
understand the fellows meaning and
fencing with him. = :. N'..' e'''
&.I don't mean that. hastily rejoined
Dallon. II know bow much money
we got soaked away-about five mil
lions O. dollars, guess. What I mean
d, How much do you vally that hide
O. yours-wot's It worth to you to get
out O. this scrapeP' =, >'''':.'.'< 80
Draper was silent. Chester Ives
stood by, taking no part ll the coti
loquy, yet closely noting every word.
Filley, too, could not help being inter-
ested in the outcome Of the duel OF
words indeed, he experienced fellow
feeling. for the robber. Their trades
were not 80 far apart, and perhaps he
might do worse than join the gang
when bis own private and particular
crash came. '-
While the president hesitated, weigh
ing all the chances, considering the
sufferings Of the ladies', seeing clearly
that worse might follow If Dallon
were enraged and also running over In
his mind the chances OF rescue or es-
cape, the captain Of the band resumed:
'Miglit as well understand that yer
trapped hard and fast. Oh. yes, they'll
send out a search party from Denver"
he laughed, reading Draper's thoughts.
"and they'll maybe find them kyars.
What then? tt can't find yous, not
TIN choose. You're a long cry from
the railroad anyWays." Then, step
ping forward, he hissed In Diapers
ear:
aHow about the women folks? I
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 a hole, that was clear. Better
get out with as little damage as posi-
BILE. 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-
rassed. 1t was his move. II he asked
too much, the negotiations would be
prolonged and thus increase the
chances Of detection. On the other
hand, If he named too little he would
"everlastingly kick himself" as he ele-
gantly phrased his inward thoughts.
Twice he moistened his lips and essay
ed to speak, but the words refused to
come. At length he raped out:
FIFTY thousand dollars!'
"Donew exclaimed Draper as quiet
~ as though he were buying block Of
stock on Change in New York. "But
you don't suppose l carry that much
money about me, do your he inquired.
"Not on yer lifew was the slangy re-
toinder. "I've thought O. that" saM
Dallon in a staggering tone, elated
and conceited at the success Of his plot
and strutting before his men like the
monarch of a barnyard.
"You got checkbook, s'pose%
eyes"