The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-08-27
THE HOLDUP OF
 MARY ASHTON
lorIgInaLl

,nt for all games. Mhrys latneT Weht to Colorado with bis family and en- gagged in banking before the days when railroads carried people everywhere. Mary showed as much aptitude at western sports, shooting. riding, skat- Ing. as she had shown at other games. A natural fearlessness was a great help to her in these more manly sports.
 That was the time Redhand Bill, as he was called, was masquerading as q road agent. He was one of the gentle manly rascals who invite men to hand over their purses in true Robin Hood style and was especially gallant to the women he robbed. One day Mir. Ash. ton had occasion to send 5000 to nelghboring town, and there was no one at hand by whom to send 1t. He was complaining at home of his want of messenger when his daughter Mary spoke up:
 "I1l take 1t, father"
 Your Suppose Redhand Bill were 10 hold you up. What would you dor
 "They say he Is very gallant to wom- en-"
 "Yes, but he always takes their val tables"
 Mary persevcred, and her father, thinking there would be no trouble, or, If there were, a woman would fare no worse than man. consented. The next day Mary left with the money. which she chose to carry in her grip sack. The coach had traversed most of the route when a man stepped Into the road, leyeled ride at the drivers head and called on him to draw rein. This done, the agent invited the pas. sengers to allght and line up in the usu- al way. He relieved them of their funds - no great haul - but when he came to Mary Ashton's bag his eyes stood out with delight.
 Good morning, Blll," said Mary.
 Good morning, beauty" replied Blll. good natured at his find, while q Ire nor rnn through the line at the girls tcmerity. How did you know my names Bflr7
 "Oh.. I've often heard of Redhand Bill and wanted to meet him. They say you are q fno euchre player. I've always wanted to see how you played your hands. Can't we have gamer
 Bill stood looking at her In as great astonshment as the passengers.
 Certainly. Got any cardsT'
 "I always carry them to pass the time on journey"
 Mary produced pack of cards. and Bill, after disarming the passengers permitted them to lower their hands. and he and Mary sat down to game.
 "Im Banker Ashton's daughter B ] had blank check, I'd hll it in for stake"
 The road agent always carried blank cheeks, for he frequently compelled his victims to sign them. He dived Into his hip pocket, took one out and hand cd 1t to Mary, with a fountain pen which he found as available as the blanks. Mary Alled 1t in for Sl,OoO. pledging her word that it would be good. "Now for the best two in three games for Sl,OOO," she said.
 Bill staked ten $l00 bills against 1t, and the game proceeded. He won the first and Mary won the next two games. Bill laughed a short, nervous laugh and put up another thousand. Mary won the first and the last game of this rubber The next rubber Mary lost and asked Bill if he would play one more. double or quits" He gal lantly consented, and Mary won two successive games.
 "Put up." she said, raking In the funds.
 Put upl I'm bustedl Shut up, you mean. and SO I do. You're the pluck lest woman and the best euchre player man or woman, l ever met. If you'll give me just one kiss, I'll call this joI on and let you and the whole kit SC scot free, with all the stun"
 Mary was 90 delighted with her sue cess, especially with respect to her fel' low passengers, that she threw hei arms about the robbers neck and gave him a hearty smack. Then, taking twenty dollar bill from the money she had saved, she said'
 "Take that and drink my health with lt, and if ever you decide to leave thi' life come to me. and I'll get my fathei 10 help you"
 "I won't take your money" said Bill @but some day may accept your of fer"
 Some years later prospector nameo Stone appeared in the town where th' Ashtons lived, and after his departur, was grub staked" by Mir. Ashton til he struck fairly valuable property. upon which Mir. Ashton organized a gold mining company. This led tC other discoveries. and at last the mau became rich. Then there was great scandal. The wealthy Stone was ar rested and charged with being the re aoubtable Redhand Bill, who years be fore had terrorized the country. When bis trial came. Mary Ashton, whose ad venture with Bill had been long and widely known, was called upon to iden tify him.
 stand upw said the prosecuting at torney to the prisoner Then, to the witness, Were you in q coach some years ago that was robbedT
 "I wRs."
 ''was this the man that robbed itf"