The suburban citizen., 1901-02-16
!: LITTLE Jim.
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T HERE were five men Ct us
and boy in the Far West
ern Stage coach as it rolled
over the rough roads Of Da-
kota. We had been together for four
days. We called the bov jim because
bis father did. Weknew his father to be
Colonel Weston. banker, cattlpman and
mine owner. The Colonel wasn't a
man to whom a stranger would take
at first glance, and even after four
days OF his company none OF Us could
say we liked him. When you came to
study him closely you saw tnat he was
revengesul and relentless. The boy
was frank clipper and good-na,urcd.
and you took a liking to him as soon
as you looked into his big blue eyes.
His age was about ten, and he had
wit and knowledge beyond his years.
We had yet twenty miles TO go to
reach the terminus, and the hour was
about o'clock in the afternoon when
the coach came to a sudden halt as it
toiled up hill. Next moment the driver
called to us:
"All you folks what don't want your
heads blown of had better get down
ard line up. We've been stopped by a
road agent"
We had arms in plenty, but no one
moved to resist Every bullet fred
by the robber would bore its way
through the coach and find a target,
while the robber had the cover Of the
horses and was safe from out fire. 1t
seems cowardly when you read Of it,
but to get down and submit to be
robbed was the wisest thing to do un-
der the circumstances.
Little Jim was not bit frightened.
On the contrary, he rather enjoyed the
situation. 1t was not so with the Col
Onel. 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 it
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 a gasp, and we realized
that there was q 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 70
see you. Where have you been this
long time"
80 it's you, Jimmy" laughed the
robber, as he held out his hand for a
shake. "Well, you have been growing
since l saw you last It's d wonder
you knew me at first sight"
"Oh, I used to like you so well l
couldn't forget your face" replied the
boy. Are there robbers around, Mr..
Pelton"
with gentle hand the man pushed
the boy back into line, and then
stepped back a pace OF two. AS he
did so his face grew very sober and l
saw a flash in his black eyes did not
like. His voice was low aud steady
as he finally said:
I'm much obliged for your prompt.
ness in climbing down and lining up,
and l think I'll let you off this dime.
The four Of you may go back into the
coach and go on. I'm leaving your
guns with you, but don't attempt 10
play me any trick"
The Colonel took his son by TIE
hand and attempted to enter the
stage vita US, but the robber mo-
toned him back.
"W-what do you want Of me-? asked
the Colonel, in a voice which Qlavefed
IN 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 tn,
other and caught the robbers sleeve.
When we had gone 200 feet the roal
turned and shut them from our view.
At the disappearance OF the stag
the man turned OH Colonel Weston AM
pointed to the hillside on the right an'
said.
"Move on that way Jimmy, Civ
me your hand and III help you along.
The white-faced Colonel entered tn
pines and held a straight course up tn
hill. Behind him came the robber an'
his son. The boy had been full Of Gu
riosity at first, but presently he wa
awed and frightened by the looks cas-
upon bis father.
Two or three years before he an