Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1900-09-27
JAYHAWKER0
How Traveller Fell Into Their
Clutches and the Desperate Ef-
fort He Made For His Life. ;:


3.-~.>.->.>.->..~< <.->.>-.-~">
/ Many years since took a fancy to
travel far beyond the reglonnof rail
roads and steamboats, into one of the
new territories of the southwest. Ny
object was To see what could be done
on IA large scale in the way of trade.
Ii was toward the close of fine
spring day that rode up TO the great
barnlike tavern of one of those spread
out, pine board towns of the far west
which grow up so rapidly In the path
of emigration. a large group or rude
! looking men stoo. on the steps ana
seemed TO he carefully criticislng me
and comparing notes as dismounted.
| was conscious of nothing peculiar
about me, except the generally smart
and ..natty' appearance OF myself and
animal The latter was splendid
roadster that | had purchased In st.
Louis. in fine condition, and with an
action that would excite the admlra-
ton of any horse fancier. was habit
slouched hat. and completed by great
/ top boots My saddle and bride were
half military In their shape and trim
mings, and had valise and blanket
roll strapped on behind ON the
whole, think almost any observer
wonld have set me down for some
thing more than Il mere private citi.
zen travelling on his own business.
! left my horse in care of the first
man whom | found willing to take
| him and. ordering my supper. walked
about the uninyiting barroom and
| finally took seat and began to read
pamphlet that | had In my pocket
4 Willie | WAS thus engaged great
buriy fellow came and stood In the
doorway aud deliberately stared at me.
Good evening. sir" | said. II should
1 like to make few inquiries. II you
/ please. about the people here and
/ through the country. and
Not of me. you WON'T was his
rude reiolnder. and he was gone before
! | could ask an explanation.
/ wns Il little nettled at such boorish-
ness. still rather amused than annoy
I'd | should probably have thought
no more OF II but for more of the same
kind of treatment that shortly eA.
perlenced. \ shock headed girl called
me out To supper. and. finding n table
abundanily spread with the substan-
tials of life, | was appeaslng my hun
ger vigorously when Wild. wolfish
face was thrust inside the door and
two staring eyes surveyed me closely.
whats wantedT | asked. rather
irritated by the repetition of such an
attention. There WAS no answer. the
head was withdrawn and within the
same minute had the pleasure OF see
ing fTo more faces looking in upon me
through one OF the windows.
what do those people neanT !
asked of the girl who waited on me.
She shook her head. but there was
an expression on her face that in.
formed me that she did know and
that she pltied me. | was beginning
TO feel decidedly uncomfortable; my
appetite WAS spoiled before II was half
appeased. and ! resolved on the spot
to continue my journey that night
rather than remain In such an inhos-
piiable place.
rose from my chair and put down
three silver dollars Oh the table.
That's for my supper and the
horses feed" ! said 10 the girl, "and
you may keep the rest yourself Now,
please tell them to bring the horse
around right Off. for | must be gone"
shall never forget the look Of pain
and pity that was shown AT that mo
ment by the face OF that rude, homely
girl.
"They won't give yon the horse she
said shortly.
Wont give ME my own horseY
echoed. And why not. prayP
Hush she said. laying her hand
firmly on my mouth. Don't he max
Ing "A noise. II they should think you
suspected IT, they would do II now"
Now, although had no idea of the
full import of her startling words. yet
there WAS n hdeous suggestion In them
thai fairly mnde my flesh creep.
"For heavens sake tell me what you
menn," | said falntly II can't ac-
count for the actions Of these people.
What do they mean. and what am
to do?''
81 hoped should see no more blood
shed" the girl said looking sadly and
wearily into my eace Than she put
her baud on my shoulder aud coDtn-
ned lirrcey IFS all your own fault,
Why dl'd you come here? Any fool In
jefferson could have told you what
they'd do II you came here"
What do the: take me forT
asked. Il suspicion of the truth break
Ing upon me.
For just what you are, OF course" :"
she said coldy-''the marshal, come
to serve wlits of arrest"
"They are mistaken; you are all mis-
taken.' | protested. Il am not mar
shnl, nor an officer Of any kind. | am
merely merchant, travelling Oh my
own business
She looked at first lncredulous. but
[ continued To assure her of my real
character, and she, seeing my sincerity,
soon believed me.