The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1904-09-22

unused. glancing askance at the Cut
verton mail bag, which lay at his fev@
as he drove out into the country -
giant among the lesser bags for SIT
rounding yillages-"and yet IL SEEK
ingly gives me chance | shouldn't
otherwise get Gee-up, Polly" this 70
the mare. III don't do 10 think"
/ But his thoughts possessed him.
Il might slit the bag up. take ont
the letter and say I'D been attseked
and robbed" he reflected. "Msr.efy
might take a turn for the better II shs
didn't get the sack ON the day she's
been expecting H. Maybe shea be
more able to bear II week o ieo
later on" 81
mo. I'll do no such thing ~ told
himself. Thirty years I've earrfsd tbs
mails. and never a black mark y ny
name. and-well. l respect my se3 -
much"
lie drew the whip across the mnnfu
tanks To start her on again. hut 81
most Immediately his hand tigbtru-d
on the reins. A figure had stepped
from the hedge into the road The
moonbeams glinted ON the I,lekel-d
barrel OF a pistol and a pair q eyes
shone from the Sits OF a erape mask.
Simon could hardly belleye his senses.
II seemed ike Judgment ON Lin for
thinking OF his abandoned proiie~t~-
10 be confronted By real robbsr Just
then. the nrst he bad ever eneoupr
tered
Pull up. my man. and chuck out
the mail bags" said be ~ the alask
~ gruf tones. suggesting a fr.xne1
voice. you see I am armed: | shsnt
hesitate To shoot II you disob~y"
One by one Simon dropped tho =
into the road. carefully irrtins thsia
fall close TO the cart. They had hardly
touched the ground when the F0bher
singled out the bag stamped Culver
ton" and ripping II 0peu with 81
knife. shook out a white shower on the
highway. By the light Of the iantsrn
he began TO eagerly sean the addresses
on the envelopes. keeping a wary eye
on simon the while.
Simon. too. watched the sgsr~ssor
like a lynx and presently sslz1d the
opportunity Tor Whieh b. had b~sa
The robb~r had b~~oine su.l-
denly cnsrossed tn the address Of an
envelope. when with an agility Won
ierfui for oas or his year. the Oh
driver ieapfd from tho cart 90 20 his
back. hurting him 10 the sround and
sending the loosely teli pistol fyihs.
10 a moment the two wer~ struggling
Tor the mastery. simon Mrrrid@w.
with the advantage % b-ins upper,
noss-and advantage whirh he usssd
10 pluck OF his opponents aask.
We'll. i'm blessed II u ainy the
We'll. I'm blessed n Il amt tho
loungcr % the two noyston.- DO
,ansed ~ the light fell on tho up
urued features, I'm xolsx 10 hang
m to you and gvs you seven years for
his"
4 suppose that would b. the pen.
ny. said the youas man. calmly. 4
sill do whatever Jon wish. Mr. MGR
fdsw. n you will IT inc get W and
ear wha, have 10 say
Eiated By his victory. Simon PEI.
littrd him 10 risr. but not fili be had
enchsd out and possessed himself ~
be- pistol NOW spit Il nut and 10
one with Il before I drive you TO cul.
crsou police ssation.~ BE- said. stern.
!. But Edward Roysson's r~ply took
i breath away.
I'VE have had this rough aud suai.
le. Mr.. Mcrridcw.~ said Tho captive.
because love your daughter and
sleeve she loves inc. I wanfrd 70
op that letter which my father posted
her with hls own hands. and VS.
II aware that you drove the mail cart
y after had ordered you to pail
p. then I thought had better 80
J with II. believe mo. I had no 10
ntlon Of doing the driver auy harm
he resisted. I hoped 10 carry the
ny through BY sheer biun. That pls
Isn't loaded
simon's tanned visagr creased lnso
hundred wrinkles. the upper half 20
: face seemed b be frownins. bot
und his mouth the lines curved and
Iitched suspiciousiy like grin. lie
oke not for nearly n minute. for II
~ trying to reconcile the dictates ~
~ with those Of parental aTcctio;i.
lad you found the lettcr9'' he asked
ddcniy.
I had II IN my hand when you
inped and didn't let 60" said Roy-
m. disclosing a crumpIed paper "a
palm.
Then. my lad. I trust you TO carry
the rest Of the program said
non. I'm forget pulled your mask
when I report the attack on the
IIl."-fndianapolis sun.