Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-02-12

occasion-such Us grown men knceling IN the
road and offering to strip themselves com
plctcly if their lives were only spared; OF ono
OF the passengers hiding under the scat. and
only being dislodged by pulling his coat tails
I of incredible sums promised, and even offers
of mental service for the preservation of their
wrctched carcasscs--aro received with the
greatest gusto; but we are in possession of
facts which may lead to more serious accusi,-
tons Although one of the passengersis said
to have lost II large sum of money intrusted
to him, while attempting with barcfaced
effrontery to establish rival carrying"
business in one of the express company's own
coaches'-I call that a good point" He in
terrnpted himself TO allow the uureStraincd
| applause of his own party don't YOU"
Its just h--ll," said Clnch, musingly.
"'Yet the affair." resumed the stranger,
from his manuscript, g" is locked up i'll great
and suspicious mystery. The presence of
jackson y. Stanner, esq chats me-. special
detective agent to the company, and MS staff
in town, is a guaranty that the mystery will
be thoroughly probcd.' He'd to put that in
to please the company" he again deprecat-
ingly explained "'We arc indebted to this
gentleman for the facts"
THE pint you want to make in that article"
said Clinch, rising, but still directing his face
and his conversation to the fire, "ez lar ez
ken see, ez that no three men kin back down
six unless they he towards, or are willing to
be backed down"
That's the point what I start FROM" re-
joined Stanner, "and work up. ! leave it to
you Of it amt So"
II can't say cz ! agree with YOU" said the
colonel dryly. He turned, and still without
lifting his eyes walked toward the door of
the room which Henobia had entered The
key was on the inside, but CIinch gently
opened tho door, removed the key, and clos
ing the door again locked it from his side
Hale and Rawlins felt their hearts beat
quickly; the others followed Clinch's slow
movements and downcast mien with amused
curiosity After locking the other outlet
from the room and putting the keys in his
pocket, Clinch returned to the fire. For the
first time he lifted his eyes, the man nearest
him shranii back in terror
Il am the man." he said slowly, taking de
gave up those greenbacks to the robbers.
am one of the three passengers you have
lampooned in that paper, and these gentle
men beside me are the other two He stop
ped and looked around him. "Nou don't be-
lievc that three men can back down six,
Well, I'll show you how it can be done
More than that, III show you how one man
4 e.. 1,,. h. l.,..I
don't hand over that paper I'll Kill YOU where
you sit, III give you until count ten; if
one of you moves he and you are dead men
but YOU frst.'
Before he had finished speaking Hale and
Rawlins had both risen, as il in concert, with
their weapons drawn. Hale could not tell
how Or why he had done SO, but he was
equally conscious, without knowing why, Of
fixing his eye on one Of the other party, and
that he should, in the event Of an ARRAY, try
to kill him. He did not attempt to reason
he only knew that he should do bis best to
kill that man and perhaps others.
"One, said Clinch, lifting his derringer,
"two--threen---
"Looll here, colonel swear didn't know
was you. Come-d--n it, [ say--sce
mere. stamnered Stanner, with white cheeks,
not daring to glance for aid to his stupefied
party.
"FOur-five-six"---
swat! Herc.' He produced the paper
and threw it on the floor.
"'icli it up and hand il to me. Seven
eight
Srnnner hastily scrambled to his feet picked
up the paper. and handed it to the colonel.
II was only joking, colonel he said, with a
| forced laugh.
I'm glad to hear it. But as this joke is in
black aud white, you wouldn't mind saying
so in the same fashion. Take that pen AID
ink and write AS l dictate. 4 certify that
/ am satisfied that the above statement is a base
calunDy against the characters Of Engwood
| Clinch, Robert Rawiins and John Hale, pas
/ seagers, and that / do hereby apologize to the
/ same, Sign It. That'll do. Now let the rest
of your party sign as Witnesses
They compiled without hesitation some
Selling the opportunity Of treating the affair
Us joke, suggested drink.
"EXcuse mo-, said Clinch quietly, "but e2
thi, house amt big enough for mo and that
man, and "a I've got business at Wil1 Cat
Station with this paper, / think III 20 with
cut drnkin'.' lie tool; the keys from his
pocket, unlocked the doors, and taking up his
oyercoa; and rife turned rs if to go.
Ra"lins rose to follow him; Halo alone
he-itated. The rapid occurrences of the last
! half hour cave him no time for, renocti,n