The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-19
] blTTbE Jim.

i hlTTbE dim. +
:,
"Y HERE were five men Of as
and a boy ln the Far West
en stage coach as Il rolled
over the rough roads Of Da-
kota- We had been together for four
days We called the boy Jim because
his father did. We knew his father 10 be
Colonel Weston banker. cattieman and
mine owner. The Colonel wasn't a
man 70 whom q stranger would take
al first glance, and even after four
days of his company none Of Us could
say we liked him when you came 10
study him closely You saw that DE was
reyengeful and relentless The boy
was frank. clipper and good-natured.
and you took liking to him as soon
as you looked into his bie iiluc eyes.
His age was about ten and he had
wit and knowladse beyond his years.
We had yet tvrnly miles 20 go 70
reach the terniihhk and che hour was
about O'Clock ia the afternoon when
fhe coach came 70 4 sudden halt as Il
toiled up hill Next moment the driver
called to u.s.
"All you folks what don't want YOUR
heads blown on had better get down
end line up We've been stopped by
road agent
We had arms in plenty, bui no one
moved 10 resist Every bullet fired
by the r0bher would bore iis way
through the coach and find q target.
while the r0bber had the cover Or the
horses and was safe from ont FIRE II
seems oowardly when you read Of it.
but to get down and submit 20 be
robbed was the wisest thing 20 do un.
der the circumstances.
Little Jim was not 4 biz frightened.
on the contrary. he rather enjoyed the
situation. Ii was not 80 with the Col
oneI. / saw him turn pale and heard
him curslng under his BREATH and he
was the last man 20 get down
The robbcr had q blc-bargcled
shotgun ID bis hands re cautioned
fhe driver 10 bold the coach where lt
was. and then advanced upon us. lie
glanced carclessly into each face until
lis eyes rested on the Colonel Then
he gave sudden start. drew Ia his
breath with a gasp and we realized
that there was a recognition. Tho
Colonel grew white under his look
and began to trcmble- The boy had
no sooner looked into the road agents
face than be cried out.
aWhy. It's Afr Pclton-Afr pelionl
Say. Mr. Pelton. I'm awfniiy glad to
See YOU where have you been this
long time"
so ifs you. Jimmy" laughed the
robber. as be held out his hand for a
shake well, you have been growing
since I saw you last. Its wonder
you knew me at hrst sight
~Oh. I used to like you 50 well
couldn't forget your face" replied the
boy. -Are there robbers around, Mr.
Pellonf
with gentle hand the man pushed
she boy back Into line, aud thea
stepped back a pace or two. As be
did 20 his face grew very sober. and
saw aash in his black eyes I did no.
like. bis voice was low and steady
g. he finally said
I'm much obliged for YOUR prempt
ness ID climbing down and lining up
and ] think III let you on this time
The four Of you may 90 back into the
coach ana go on. I'm leaving youi
guns with you but don't attempt ie
play ne any trick"
The Colonel took his son by th'
hand and attempted to enter IN,
stage Vito u.s. but the robber no
fioned him back.
.W-what DO you want OF mef asked
thr Colonel. I'm voice which quaYered
I'm ted you later was the reply
As The coach started on we looked
out to see the three standing 10 ths
road. Little Jim stlll had hold Of hi.
fathers hand. but had reached ont tbs
other and caught the robbers sleeve.
When we had gone 200 feet the road
turned and shut them from our view
All ttn disappearance OF the stag'
lie man turned on Colonel Weston ane
la.atcd u the hillside On the right and
aid.
Aore on that way. Jimmy glv'
me youf land and IN help yeA along
rhe whiie-faooa Colonel entered th'
paes and held d straight course pp thl
hiI Behind him came the raboef and
a.s sen. The boy bad betn fun of "a
r.osliy at first. but presently be wai
awed aud frIghtnncd b5 the ippfs cas-
uron his father
Two or three years before be ans