The Opelousas courier., 1901-04-06

$3s
LITTLE jim. s


TT HERE were FIVE men of us
and a boy in the Far West,
ern stage coach as it rolled
6 over the rough roads of Da.
kota. We had been together for four
days. We called the boy Jim because
bis father did. Weknew his father to be
Colonel Weston, banker, cattleman 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 that he was
revengeful and relentless. The boy
was frank, clipper and good-natured,
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 2 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 off had better get down
and line up. We've been stopped by a
road agent"
We had arms in plenty, but no one
moved to resist. Every bullet fired
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 I'M
Ter the circumstances.
Little Jim was not a 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 nan 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 a recognition. The
Colonel grew white under his look
and began to tremble. The boy had
40 soone looked. Into the road agents
lace than he cried out:
"Why, it's Mr.. Pelton-Mr. Pelton!
Say, Mr.. Pelton, I'm awfully glad to
zee you. Where have you been this
timer
$50 it's you, Jimmy" laughed the
as he held out his hand for a
"Well, you have been growing
since I saw you last. It's a wonder
Vou knew me at first sight"
"Oh, I used to like you SO well /
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
back a pace or two. AS he
did SO his face grew very sober, and I
saw a fash In his black eyes I did not
like. His voice was low and steady
rs he finally said:
"I'm much obliged for your prompt.
ness in climbing down and lining up,
and / think I'll let you of this time.
The four Of you may go back into the
coach and go on. I'm leaving your
guns with you, but don't attempt to
play me any trick"
The Colonel took his o by the
hand and attempted to enter the
with us, but the robber mo-
Toned him back.
"W-what do you want of me?' asked
he Colonel, in a voice which quavered. |
I'm tell you later" was the reply.
AS the coach started on we looked |
,ut to see the three standing in the
.oad. Little Jim still had hold of his |
.ather's hand, but had reached out the
,ther and caught the robbers sleeve.
When we had gone 200 feet the road
;urned and shut them from our view.
AT the disappearance Of the stage
he man turned on Colonel Weston and
to the hillside on the right and
"Move on that way. Jimmy, give
ne your hand and I'll help you along"
The white-faced Colonel entered the
and held a straight cours up the
ILL. Behind him came the robber and
IFS son.. The boy had been full Of cu-
iosity at first, but presently he was
wed and frightened by the looks cast
lpon his father.
Two or three years before he and
Ir. Pelton had been great friends.
dr. Pelton had been manager for his
ather. One day there had been a bit
er quarrel-pistols had been drawn
he Sheriff had rushed In and Mr.. Pei
had fed to escape arrest. He re-
rendered his father calling the fugi-
i've a thief, and OF men being sent out
o hunt him down. All this came back
D him as they followed the father up
he rough way, and though he knew
Of mans vengeance there was
feeling Of dread In his soul. Now
nd then the robber ordered the Colo
el to the right or left, but these were
hs only words spoken until they