The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-07-31

stances.
Little Jim was not bit frightened.
On the contrary, he rather enjoyed the
situation. 1t was not so with the colo
mel. l saw him turn pale and heard
him cursing under his breath, and he
was the last man to get down.
The robber had a 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 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:
"Why, it's Mr.. Pelton-Mr. Pelton!
Say, Mr.. Pelton, I'm awfully glad to
see you. Where've you been this long
timer
$50 it's you, Jimmy" laughed the
rubber as he held out his hand for a
shake. "Well, you have been growing
since l saw you last. It's wonder
you knew me at first sight"
"Oh, used to like you SO well /
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
q pace or two. AS he did so his face
grew very sober, and saw 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 I think I'll let you off this time.
The. four of you may go back into the
coach and go on. I'm leaving your
guns with you, but 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 voice which quavered.
"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 on 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 and
Mr.. Pelton had been great friends. Mr..
Pelton had been manager for his IA
ther. One day there had been bitter
quarrel, pistols had been drawn, the
sheriff had rushed in, and Mr.. Pelton.
had fed to escape arrest. He remem-
bered his father calling the fugitive a
thief and of men being sent out to hunt
him down. All this came back to him
as they followed the father up the
rough way, and though he knew moth
ing of mans vengeance there was a
feeling of dread in his soul. Now and
then the robber ordered the colonel to
the right or left, but these were the
only words spoken until they finally
reached a rude camp high up among
the powders. BY and by the robber
half turned to look the colonel in the
face and said:
1--WE waited for this for two years. /
could neither die nor go away until I
had killed you"
"Tt will be murder-cold blooded
MURDER" replied the colonel as he fold
ed his arms.
"If it was murder a hundred times
over, I'd do it. Do you suppose can
forget Rose Harper? Who separated
us? Who maligned me2 Who wrecked
my life and sent her to suicides
grave? Who drove me to be fugitive
from justice on false charge? I'd kill
you If 1000 men surrounded me-"
The colonel was silent for time. He
did not look at his boy, but past him.
The boys eyes were fastened on his
face, however, and a chill crept over
him as he noted the look of a man
standing in the shadow of death. 1t
was the first time he had ever seen it.
He turned from his father after awhile
to look at the robber.
There was another look strange to
him. 1t was set determination to kill
the look of man who had hated and
thirsted and waited.
"Take the boy away first" said the
colonel with a touch of entreaty In his
voice.
eyes; that will be proper" answered
Pelton. Come, Jimmy, let's take a
walk"
"What-what you going to do with
fatherY whispered the boy as he walk
ed slowly over and put his hand in that
of the would be murderer.
Never mind. Do you see that big
rock up there? Well, go up there and
see what is hidden behind it. Shake
hands with your father before you go"
The boy crossed over to his father in
a puzzled way, and the father lifted
him up and kissed him. When he put
him down, he said to him:
run along, Jimmy. If you don't find
me when you come back, Mr.. Pelton
will take care of you"
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Pelton will take care Of
me and see that l get home" replied
the lad. "I'm awfully glad to see him.
Wasn't 1t queer to meet him way off
here? / was saying only week ago
that wish'd he was back with us so
that he could mend my wagon and help
me make kites. Mr.. Pelton was al
ways good to me. / won't be gone
long, and you and Mr.. Pelton must be
good friends. Don't you remember that
mother said she was sorry for him? We