Mower County transcript., 1904-12-14

ger, an it's all he kin do to keep his
finger up. Don't shoot i'm. Bill. till
I've give i'm !; chance"
"What is it you want?" George asked.
He was not frightened. but the situa-
ton certainly was Il grave one. ana
he felt that he had little. if any. chance
for his life
| I'VE are mountain hoosierS.' said the
leader OF the men. but we hain't fools
by a long shot We know our business
as we'll as you know yore'n. an thac's
no need tciiin' you ef YOU don't git
move on yorcself an open that safe
you'll never open it agin.''
! "IhatS il. them
"Yes. that's it. This is one time Wien
you've got to knuckle ur git the wust
of it,
George glanced toward the front
door.
"You needn't be lookin' fer a way
out" said the mountaineer. ''an' you
needn't expect the night Waterman to
be pacin' along by here. He's dead
! drunk. know. kasc l furnished the
! $50 you think you can force me into
| this thing" said George. DO YOU
know. I'd rather die right here than
! let you rob that safe while it is IN my
| care?
! "Oh. come Off; you are no fool, Buck
ley. Open the safe. We are not here
| to palaycr. At least say positive
whether YOU will or not. III jest give
YOU sixty seconds by that clock up
thar Boys, eff he don't open the safe
in one minute from now pull down on
i'm an don't miss fer ;ll you do. You'd
ruther die. had you. Buckley: Well.
| we'll see if that's so or not. He's Il
chip off, the old block. boys. His
| daddy couldn't keep his hands olf,n
other folks things. an his life wasn't
at stake. He'll Wilt, all right
$50 that's the reason you thought I'D
give in,'' said George. now quite pale.
his lips quiyering.
well, that's one reason. said the
man. But what's the use o talkin'?
Time is passin'. Jest another half min
ute. boys. Git ready. He may be fool
enough to want to defy us"
Hundreds Of thoughts flashed through
George Bnckley's brain. There was,
indeed, large amount of money In
the safe. and thousands Of dollars Of
it belonged to poor people who had
brought it to him and Hillyer in abso-
lutte faith rs to its security. Could he
ryi-o hni, tn I,
life, and
"Another quarter" said the leader of
the men. "I'll count six. and ef he
don't move wien say six, pull down
together. Listen! That's the - o'clock
train. Fire jest as it's passin', boys.
reachin' outside
George heard the coming train. The
rumble Of it was felt in the walls of
the building. The mOuntaineer WAS
measuring it's approach by counting
slowly: Observation-Disclosures
Put down your guns" said George
Buckley. NO man can expect another
to sacrifice his life for little money.
I've done the best can. Put down
your guns"
That's the talk. young feller. You
are no fool. For Il minute you tuck
this thing SO durn cool I thought you
was goin to commit suicide. But keep
i'm covered, boys. We don't take 10
cha nceS on him, nur no other chap
'You needn't be afraid" said George,
with cold. hard smile. You fellows
are simply too much for me- They say
every man has his price: l reckon
you'll give me part OF the money. I
want to leave the country. They viii
all say | was concerned in it-becausa
Of my father Is that understood-I'm III
t" get part:'
Yes, that's understood" said the
leader eagerly. Boys. We'll have to
divide with 'im--he's the right.sort."
The train ratified by. George left his
stool and went to the safe. With
hand that cleaned like that of dead
mans In the lamplight; he twirled the
combina tton bolt back and forth: then
he suddenly turned to them, passing
his hand wearily over his brow.
"1ook here" he said, ''Ill have to
confess that you've ratified me. l
changed the lock today, and the letters
OF the combination have slipped my
mind
"Ah! snarled the man addressed
You can't come that on us BOYS he's
tryin to gain time. lie thinks we
cayn't git in the safe. Sock it to the
Hold on"' George held up his hand.
still smiling mechanically. "Don't fly
of the handle. l can figure out the
combination in few minutes If you'll
only take those blasted guns off me
and stand back. I'm. not made Of
stone. How can man get his mind
! on. u thing like that while you are
pointing reyolvers at him. Leave me
| alone minute. I'm with you, but give
me a minute#to collect myself--to think
| it out :.-7 =, %s .H F. -
The leader laughed. n Boys he said,
hes scared q sight welss n lie looks.
| That's il compliment to us Stand out
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