The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-20
THE TAnLER.

had their respective adherenrs and zeal
GUS advocates. While one who was really
gifted with eloquence was in the midst
Of a harangue, the belated stage drove up
10 the entrance and the crowd without
ceremony rushed out to see who had ar
rived. get the latest news from below,
and ascertain the reason for delay.
Held up" said Billy Sisson, the stage
driver, lacOnically.
The HI you say" remarked Lee
-a-atnews. the county sheriff. And then
he proceeded 10 get all the Information
possible. preliminary 10 q hunt for the
highWaymen.
After the crowd had heard the various
tales OF the passengers. it resumed its
sitting around the stove and adopted
"hOld-ups" as its theme, RELOCATING
politics to the background From facts.
the statements grew into fiction and the
adventures related usually had the
speaker Tor a hero. During a short lull
in the conversation a young tenderfOOt,
who had been about town few days,
addressed himself 70 him who seemed
to be the master-hand in the group and
asked If he could speak TO him privately.
Certainly" was the reply from Tom
Fitch.
The two adjourned to the bar in the ad-
joining room and after being served
with drinks, entered small compart-
ment used for gambling, and which,
strange to say, was just then vacant.
Mr.. Fitch" said the tenderfoot, 1--WE
been here almost a week 1 came from
Boston, where my father IS a rich and
prominent man. He gave me five thou
sand dollars. told me TO go out into the
world and make man OF myself. Now,
I've heard about these stage robberies
and don't want to lose my money that
way. / know you are well known in
these parts and I'd ike to ask you for a
I that these fellows won't bother
me-
why, yes, Of course" replied Fitch.
and tearing out leaf from a small blank
book, he wrote as follows: Mr.. High
wayman: Please pass bearer, and obige
Tom Fitch
with many thanks and another treat
on the tenderfoot's part, the two sepa-
rated The laughter which greeted
Fiteh's relation of the interview to the
group gave conclusive evidence that his
| hearers We're gifted with strong, sound
lungs, and many jokes were INDUCED in
at the young fellows expense
About q week later message was
/ brought TO Fitch requesting him TO do
some stamping at Dogtown. seventy
miles away. and he was handed one hun
dred and fifty dollars for expenses -
The day following, Fitch was one Of
! four passengers on the stage, the others
! being the tenderfoot, a young lady who
/
! returning to her Eastern home, and a
middle-aged, full-bearded. taciturn man
who was dressed in coarse suit and had
! his pantaloons stuffed into a rough pair
/ of boots.
For some time the passengers maintain
/ ed strict silence. Eventually, the school
marin opened a conversation by express
ing the hope that their journey would
/ be a peaceful one and not disturbed by
I CT 100 rob - r-ff
and informed her fellow passengers that
anyhow she felt quite secure as TO her
possessions because she had them Sc
GREETED in the upper part of her dress, and
no one would modest her to her financial
detriment. She had no sooner ceased
speaking. when came the ominous word,
'Haltp
The young tenderfoot came first.
shell out" commanded the rcbber.
But, Mr.. Highwayman, I've GOT
at the same time reaching for his inside
breast pocket.
Hands up. you fool" said the rob-
Der. IN shoot you, if you make an
other novel"
The man did not seem to comprehend
the danger of his position, for ne again
quickly lowered his hand and drew from
his pocket a piece of paper which he
handed out to the stage robber, who
read:
Mr.. Highwaymsn: Please pass bearer
and oblige, Tom Fitch
step over there, young Teller said
the rohber then turning to the full
bearded man he continued, "Pungle up,
pard."
The man replied that It had absorbed
all his means TO pay his fare to Dog
town; that beyond five dollars. he was
penniless, and If he would leave him
that he would tell him where a large sum
was secreted. The nod of approval from
the highwayn1an was followed with the
information that the school-teacher had
her money hid in her dress. He was then
directed to step aside and the woman
commanded to produce her money with
out delay else force and violence would
be used Amidst tears and protestations.
the poor woman handed over her savings
which had been destined to pay of half
Of the mortgage on her aged fathers
farm.
Next, Tom Fitch received attention,
and having noted the respect given to the
pass he had furnished the tenderfoot, he
felt fully assured Of courteous and gem
erous treatment.
Fitch smiiingiy saidi Il an Tom
Fitch"
he HI you are! Shell cut. and be
quick about II, too"
He meekIy delivered one hundred and
allowed to resume their seats and the
stage proceeded to its destination.
Not until several miles had been trav-
ersed were the victims in a condition 10
discuss their mishap. The teacher was
in a state bordering on hysteria, the
tenderfoot pensive, the older man eX-
tremelY reserved and thoughtful, while
Fitch sought to console the woman, good
naturedIy making light Of his own loss.
At length Dogtown was reached Then
il was that, after placing the teacher IN
the care OF the hotel-keepers wife, the
walls Of wrath were poured out on the
head of the old man who had caused
the teachers loss. The assembled crowd
became indignant, excited, and murmurs
OF vengeance were uttered. Out from the
crowd came q CRY. Lets lynch the cussi'
The old man was jostled about and over
ready hands were placed upon his shout
ders and he was pushed on towards a
convenient tree
Hold orr said the culprit, before you
hang me- VIII you let me have word
with AIr Fitch and the lsndlord7 I am
unarmed and VIII rot attempt to es-
cape"
After a brief consultation his request
was granted. lie and Fitch then enter
Cd the hotel
side want to hang ne. I want you and
1fr. Fitch and the lady ana man who
were my fellow passengers 70 let ms say
a word in private This Is ny only re-
quest" The host led the way 20 a room
where, IN the presence q The FIVE per
sons the man quickly locked the door
'.2[sdaln" he asked besmlusly, how
much is your i7ss
.E.eht hundred dollars. you Contempt
BE wretch she answered tearfuIy.
And sears. 3-r. Fitch9
'sHundred and city.
The stranger drew BIS pantsIoo1s ron
his boots ard extracted two rolls ~