The National tribune., 1901-04-25

youble old fellow, and my son at once fel
In with his ways, and treated him cour
teOusly.
Gov Owens was largely engaged in th'
Rio Grande trade of supplying frOntIe
points with provisions and merchandise
and was just on his way to lndianOla, OF
the coast, where he was to meet his Mex
ican freighters, comprising 30 wagons ant
carts, of all characters and descriptions
driven by the inevitable lazy Greaser
William, knowing the position held by
Gov. Owens during a portion of the war
and realizing that an eX-otfice-holder vii
never lose his tenderness for the political
regime which made him titled, assumed tC
fe a AIissisSippian, from Ficksburg, with
an Irish acquaintance, on trip of inspec'
tiOn through Texas, and, so far, terribly
disappointed with the State.
During those periods. when, owing to
the depth of the mud, the passengers were
obliged TO walk, they would fall behind
would chat pleasantly upon general sub
SectS. On one of these occasions Gov.
Owens eyed his companion sharply mo-
mcnt. and then asked:
Can i trust you, sir!'
Certainly"
''On the word and honor of gentle
mani"
answered.
Il believe you; thank you. You know
Btages are robbed out this way?"
Il do"
Did you ever see it done?"
mo: nor have l any desire TO be around
on such an OCCASION" he replied, laughing.
Il reckon you hadn't better, either said
The Governor earnestly. at wouldn't
make so much difference if they would do
the work tTife genteelly, i'll n gentle
manly way; but the fact is, we have low
fellows along our Texas stage-lnes. They
have no regard for mans family. Why"
he continued, warmly, They'll just pop
out from behind the trees, or up through
some clump of bushes, ram double bar
relied shotgun. loaded to the muzZle with
slugs and things, into the coach from both
sides at once. and Just blaze away-all
that are not killed outright are scared to
death. There's nothing fair about it.
William expressed his curiosity to know
II the drivers We're ever killed.
DRIVERS? Never, sir, never. Why,
those ruffians are too smart for that Let
it be known that they have begun killing
drivers, and there isn't n stage company
III Texas that could send coach past the
first timber. They couldn't afford to kill
Stage-drivers. for the moment they began
it, that would be the end of staging"
My son expressed his thanks at learn
ing so much of the business principles OF
these land pirates, and the old gentleman
continued:
''You see. it takes peculiar kind of
driver for a Texas coach. You want one.
first. that can drink right smart of whis-
Ky, for the water isn't good along some
of these branches. YOu want one that
can swear a hOsS's head snnare off. too.
He's got to be q coward. or he would help
put this robbing down: and yet. he has
got TO be rather brave to drive right along
hp to a spot where he knows he is to see
bis passengers butcheredi and that" con-
tinued the Governor, earnestly. lis just
what l want TO talk to you about, as
teel sure that / can trust you"
GUARDING AGAINST STAGE ROBBERS.
The Governor then explained to him
that q certain member of the Ku klux,
whom he was sorry tC say was too init
mate with those roadside plunderers, had
Informed him that morning, just as he
was leaving Yorktown, that preparations
had been made to rob their stage at point
between Clinton and Mission Valley; and
that he very much desired some organiza
ton among the passengers for defense, as
he himself had upward of $4,000 to be
paid out at lndianOla, for goods, and to
his freigbters for wages.
On the receipt of this alarming intel
fgence, my son took the responsibility of
informing the rest of the passengers what
might possibly be expected; and, as Gov.
Owens had six fine carbineS, which he was
plso taking down 10 Indianola for the pro-
lection of his freighters on the Rio Grande,
preparatory To any attack that might be
made.
About six miles from Mission Valley the
stage route traversed low piece of bot
tOm-landS covered with timber, and a con-
siderable growth of underbrush A cor
durOy road had been built through the
place, and as the coach was Obliged to be
driven slowly across it. the locality Of
fered particularly fine inducements for
robbery of the character described by the
Governor; that the precautioD was
taken of walking along with the coach, |
three on either side, with carbines ready
for instant use.
Just before entering the timber two men
were seen proving about. and, evidently |
fearing their actions might cause suspi- |
clon and Illustrate the plan they had in !
view, made great effort TO appear to be |
two respectable hunters in search OF only |
wild game; and, before leaving the timber |
at the other side, two more persons were
seen, who, evidently, not having been
given any signal, had come as near to the |
stage as they dared, 10 ascertain for them !
selves why their comrades had failed in |
their calculations; but skullled away after |
seeing the force which grimly trudged |
along, guarding the empty vehicle, into !
which the passengers were glad enough to
climb when the danger was gone by, and
be carried with sound bodies and whole
pockets TO the supper which had been
some time IN waiting when they reached
Mission Valley.
d
toria, from which city William and Keat-
ing expected 10 bc able 10 90 by railroad
TO Port Layaca, only 2S miles distant
They were doomed TO disappointment in
this, as the railroad had been abandoned
since the war, either the Union or Con-
federate soldiers having taken il up bodily
and turned it upside down. like a gigantic
fUrrOw, from Victoria 10 the sea.
After many years somebody had come
along and turned il back, but steam en-
eines had not since been used, passengers
being transported on a handcar.
As they were obliged 10 remain for this
new mode Of conveyance, their time was
entirely unoccupied, and they could not
hut have leisure 10 make something of
study OF Texan life rs it then existed
ind on Sunday afternoon were witnesses to
one Of those little episodes which some
Lines make extremely lively certain per-
iods that would otherwise remain hum
nrum and ordinary.
STAG DUEL"
The bar-room OF the hotel had been
PROVIDED all day, and a good deal OF liquor
had been drunk, while there had also been
a large amount of money lost and won
over cards, so that there was that fever
ash, explosive condition of things which
plways follows large winnings or losses at
games of chance, although there had as
yet been no disturbances OF serious char
ucter.
At one of the little gaming tables, John
Foster, County Clerk of Victoria County,
and another man, named Lew Phillips,
who had been one Of the Andersonville