Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-08-16

4
| evident that he was completely cap
fured by the charms of Miss Grierson.
'sThe fourth male passenger was Mr..
Hawley, also a young man, fine-look-
ing, plainly dressed, but diffdent.
learned that he was on his way to
| San Antonio, where he had an in
| valid brother, whom he intended to
| bring back to his home in st. Louis.
"No doubt he was as much smitten
by the sweet young lady as was the
| foppish Mr.. HOlbrook. who loudly an
nounced that he was on his way to
the Lone Star state to look after a
ranch which he thought of buying
| and presenting to friend OF his. In
fact, Holbrook did most of the talk
ing, Mr.. Hawley contenting himself
with sly glances at the lady, and oc-
casional chats with the rest of us.
Now, if I were superstititious,'
said /, when the driver had at last
repaired the coach and we started for
ward again, 4 would say that this
second breakdown is ominous of
evil
"sOh, pshaw!' remarked Holbrook,
in his airy manner, as he tipped his
trousers legs with his thin cane, amy
man who believes in signs, as they are
called, is simply a fool, that's ALL
"sBut this road is not without it's
real DANGERS remarked Maj. Dacres.
You may have heard that the James
and Younger boys stopped this very
stage only few weeks ago.
"'Oh, yes, I've heard all about
that replied Holbrook, in the same
supercilious manner. It's the great
est IL - %lok IL,
even two of them, are allowed to
stop stage full of passengers, most
of them with weapons in their hands;
and yet they tamely submit like so
many children
you know, SIR I ventured, the
trouble is that, when the robbers do
appear, it is with such suddenness
that the passengers haven't time to
rally or organize for Defense
sFudge!' returned Holbrook.
What do they want of time? All
they have to do is to open on the
knaves; it stands to reason that, in
a fusillade of that kind, the side that
has the most shots is going to win;
that is, if there is any kind of shoot
ing
Suppose that we should be at
tackled or held up by road agents on
this trip?'
'Begad, but I wish we would!'
returned Holbrook, with meaning
look at the smiling Miss Grierson.
L always go prepared he added,
drawing revolver from his pocket
and holding it up for us to admire.
I'm pretty good with that, and I
wouldn't like a better chance than to
have a duel with one OF two of these
fellows
The young man looked so thirsty
for gore that I am quite sure Miss
Grierson was impressed by his valiant
demeanor.
WELL I observed, with a sigh,
the days of the road agents are about
over. The railway lines are securing
SO much of the travel that the 1um-
boring coaches will soon disappear,
though it is likely that some of the
trains themselves will be held up be-
fore the fellows fold their tents and
depart. And so, my friend, you
would like brush with some of those
gentry?'
Nothing would suit me BETTER
he answered, with smirk and a
oiIiIiC dU CnC MISS 1T1CI-
son; I would like to show the public
that there is one man that can't be
scared by any such fol-de-ro1 as that
cit was less than an hour later,
while we were descending the gully
a short distance from Malvern, that
Burt Bunker drew up his horses with
such vigorous 'Whoa!' that we all
started and looked out of the coach
to learn the cause.
We've had two accidents said
7, sand it's about time the third came
along
"But it was worse than that.
Hands up, gentlemen
"In the gathering gloom we dis
cerned the figure of man standing
at the roadside, with Winchester
rifle in his hands. 1t was not leveled
| at us, but, doubtless being at full
! cock, was held in front of him, so
| that it could be raised and fred in
u twinkling at whomsoever might
choose to disobey or dispute the COM
mands of the individual in the broad
brimmed sombrero of Texan cow
boy.
"To say that we were paralyzed
would be to put it mildly. The major
and sat motionless, while the driver
turned his head, and said, in husky,
excited undertone:
| 'Aor Gods sake. don't make a
fight! The first one that does so will
| be riddled!'
If that's the case, said Holbrook,
between his chattering teeth, st won't
do to resist. You are a gentleman of
experience, Mr.. Bunker, and I think
your advice is good
Out with your called the road
agent. taking a step toward MS sIf