The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-03-12


IA and as [ was doing the
Ei5 talking | was looking di-
sssssS rectly at him. l paused in
ENSsgRsAls the middle of a sentence,
ae4SszS..EssU for subtle change had
come over his features, and knek that
he was not listening to my speech. His
face had grown pale, his lips compress
ed, and the left hand, which had been
lying idly on the arm OF his chair, was
clenched. [ glanced out to see what
had moved him so, but the street was
nearly deserted; only a lOng-limbed
high-boOted, wide-hatted cowboy wan
dered along the sidewalk, staring at the
unaccustOmed sights.
1t was Is years ago; and yet the
sight of that cowboy brings it back
as clearly as if it were but yesterday.
Fifteen years-1lOt long when a man is
lighting his way to success in a large
city, but an eternity when looking back
towards a grave in which your other
self was buried"
My companion had not withdrawn
his gaze from the street; but l knew
that he no longer saw the cowboy. In
stead, his eyes were following the
scenes that the sight of the cowboy
had evoked.
Il was young then-only 49, he con-
tinued, in a gray, level tone, like one
talking in his sleep or thinking aloud !;
and loved her. 1t is all foolishness
to say the young cannot love. | know
better. For blind unselfish love give
me boy whom a hard knowledge of
the world has not yet spoiled. I loved
her, out her family opposed the mar
rlage because of some absurd family
quarrel in the past So, after every eff
fort to placate her parents had failed
l persuaded the girl to elope with me.
L drew my entire fortune from the
bank-a paltry $6,O00-and, evading
those who were watching us, we board
ed Santa F'e train north. was hold
ing her hands under cover of a shawl.
and expatiating, boyish fashion, about
meeting the world with her to inspire
me, and cOnquering it, and all that,
when four cowboys entered the car.
They were big-long-limbed unshaven,
husky-voiced fellows, dressed in true
cowboy style. Turning the seats to-
gether directly in front of us, they Or
dered cards from the train boy and be-
gan a noisy game of poker.
1T was about sunset when they en-
tered, and the shadows were soon fall
ing across the houseless wastes on eth
er hand The country through which
we were travelling was flat and monoto-
nous, except where a lone butte rose
like an island out of sandy sea. The
brakeman lighted the dingy lamps, and
every one settled listleSSly back, listen
ing to the roar of the flying train and
the occasional calculations of the alb
sombed card players, 1 sat with one
hand beneath the shawl, reassuring my
sweetheart with a tender hand clasp.
while my eyes wandered off towards
the west, where the moon hung like a
silver shield far out over the black
landscape. My thoughts were busy, l
remember, with the sturdy fight | was
to make for fame and fortune; and
running on ahead | was picturing our
homecoming, where news of our sue
cess had preceded us and all was for
given. 1t takes boy to dream.
"A whisper aroused me from my rev.
erie, and rising obediently, | passed to
the rear of the coach after a glass of
water. The conductor and brakeman
were leaning against the door, talking
in low tones, while their eyes kept
furtive watch over the cowboys. The
word 'hold-up' reached my ears; and
Immediately saw it all.
1.-THE men had boarded the car; their
confederates would stop the train at an
agreed point and we would be at their
mercy. l FASTENED back, gave her the
cup of water, but before I could tell her
my fears and devise some means of
concealing my money, the engine gave
a shrill warning scream. The next in
slant the heavy brakes were applied
and the coach, with many a Shudder
came to a Standstill.
''The cowboys continued their play
without even looking pu; and l thought
that rather singular. The conductor
had hurried out, and a moment later a
pistol shot rang out on the night
Thrusting his head in at the front door,
the conductor cried: Boys, it's a hold
up all right enough
F"The cowboys looked up at this.
a hold-up!' one of them said "A
purity heavy load they'll have a-holdin'
us up-hay, Bob?' to his companion.
Rising, the cowboy drew two re-
volvers. They looked to be two feet
long.
Let's go and see what a hold-up's
like he said, to his companion. AS
he said this his eyes fell on me. was
looking at the frightened girl at my
side. and the tragedy of it came over
me- I was without weapon. I saw
my money taken, myself overtaken, my
sweetheart torn from me and married
to the man whom her family preferred
think the cowboy must have taken
in the situation at one glance; for
touching me on the shoulder, he said
Ieassuringly:
Don't be frightened, kid; we'll take
care Of YER
Il looked up in the mans true eyes