The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-04-02
oned 1T would last month or two

oned 1t would last a month or two
anyhow" Sase
The two men looked into each 9TH
er's eyes, and the taller said as he
pushed back his chair: "Wouldn't be
surprisin' eff that was why Santa
Claus didn't come this way. He's a
great feeder, you know. But eff we
come up with him crossin' the range
Wen tell him what good cooks you
are" He was pulling on his gloves
now, but he stopped and thrust hand
into his pocket. Here give this ter
your mother an tell her we're sorry
fer the mess we left, but we amt got
time ter clear up"
Then they were gone, and Freddy
and Teddy were studying over tho
round yellow dollar the tall man had
thrown on the table.
The two horsemen had pushed four
miles In the teeth of the storm before
they spoke of the twins. They had
stopped under shelter of an overhang-
ing rock to tighten up girths and to
gather fresh strength from the TASKS
cts. The shorter man leaned YEARLY
against his faithful horse.
Seems good many years, Jim,
sence the ole lady filed our stockin's
an told us stuff about Santa Claus.
What was 1.-THE night before Christ
masr Great stuff we thought It,"
Come on" said his companion anx-
iously. You'll be Off your nut direct
ly eff you don't get some quinine or
somethin'."
i've got an idee when we strike
Golden We'll buy somethin' sides gull
nine" He groaned slightly and clutch
ed at his side.
9TH be box 6 by 2 eff you don't get
a move on" growled the tall man.
His companion looked up with a
smile that almost TRANSPORTED his face
Don't get grouchy, Jim. We're goin
ter meet Santa Claus down ter Browns
store an drop his pack by that cabin
on the Fort Kane trail. It's resk,
know"-this as he noted the angry
them two youngsters has about cried
their eyes out, an-well, you remem-
Der when the ole lady filed our stock
ms. jim"
The tall man threw himself into his
saddle, but he did not answer even
with an oath.
1t was nearly morning In mar.
row room Mt the Golden hotel.
smoky lamp gave forth sickly beam
of light, which In turn fell upon q
CHASTITY bearded face. The short mar
was breathing fast now and with nj
ugly gurgle in his throat. Suddenly
he turned toward the grim watcher b,
his bedside. and In his eyes was tn,
pathetic yearning of child.
at amt no use ter send fer the doc
tor Jim. 1t only means bein' hauled
off ter jail ter die. l know it all right
It's pneumony. An the first marsha
as claps eyes on you will clap some
thin else on your wrists" A grin o
humor shone even through the dyinl
mans agony. FER the sake of the oil
lady, Jim, don't forget them kids. Dro
off at that cabin, sure. an then max
tracks, fer when they fin me they'll b
on your trail. S'long, JIMMY
The tall man Strengthened up rs
the name he had not heard in years
Jimmy" hurt him. He picked up tn
other mans coat and took from 1T
pockets some odd shaped, knobby bun
dies. Then he came back to the bed
side and gripped the hand that lay out
side the gray blanket.
~ can't do 1t, George; by heavens,
can'tw
| Slowly the sick man opened his eyes
! Fer Gods sake, man, it's bad enough
fer me ter die, but ter see you took by
the deputies'- A shudder ran over
the dying mans frame. Go on. jim
my, an'-an'-don't forget them kids"
The Cheyenne papers two days later
announced In glaring headlines that
the body of Jim Cosgrove. one of the
most notorious stage robbers of the
Little Basin district. had been found In
hotel room at Golden. Deserted In
His Dying Hour by His Comrade," ran
one of the subheads.
And In the little cabin on the Fort
Kane trail two small boys were max
ing merry with the gaudiest toys to be
purchased at Browns General Store
and eating more candy than they had
enjoyed In all the rest Of their short
lives put together.