The San Francisco call., 1904-12-11

ARADISE FLAT was excited;
& likewise disguised. For the
third time within a year the
4 Marysville stage had been dis
seized Of its valuable contents by a
gentleman who had employed on each
occasion the assistance of a stentorian
voice and a large, fat shotgun. The
persuasive eloquence Of the voice and
the respect inspiring appearance Of the
gun had always produced their effect
st the same spot. some ten miles below
the Flat, and invariably on a trip
when the stage was carrying a heavy
consignment OF dust TO Marysville. On
these bits Of evidence. as well as the
further indubitable fact that No two
fellers on this yerth could holler like
that - -" Driver Hank
Dillard had based his conclusion that
the same identical galoot done all
the jobs"
Inasmuch as Wells, Fargo & Co. had
concluded after the successful termina-
ton OF the previous affairs that they
could no longer afford to conduct an
eleemosynary institution for the benefit
OF peripatetic arsenals, they had dis
continued their service on Hanks line
and the third loss had fallen directly
upon the contributors of dust from the
Flat This fact, coupled with the in
formation that a traveller on the late
stage had so far upset the traditions
Of modern Dick Turpinism as to have
taken a parting long-distance shot at
The highwayman, with the result that
he believed he had winged him" did
rot tend 10 allay popular excitement
IN camp.
As soon as it was light on the fol-
lowing morning the vigilance COM
mittee had discovered a trail Of blood
beginning at the scene Of the alleged
''winging" and leading over a hill and
up a ravine that paralleled the Para
disc and Msrysville road. Four miles
from town the blood had ceased to
be visible, but the fOottracks continued
onward until they lost their identity in
q well-wOrn trail, which led directly
into Paradise.
An hour later the doctor" had re-
ported TO the committee that he had
just finished dressing a gunshot wound
III the leg Of "Kentuck' Randall, the
worthless proprietor of a worthless
claim al the lower end of the Flat
During his residence in camp Ken
tuck's Distinguishing but incongruous
characteristics had been a disinolina-
ton TO work and a surprising ability
III producing funds with which to buck
against ParsOn Whites faro bank
The doctor said Kentuck's injury. ac-
coroing to his own story, had been
sustained while he was extracting a
lOao from his gun, but he had seen
the weapon and he didn't allow thar
shotguns ordinarily carried 41-caliber
bullets, and the doctors practice being
largely confined TO casualties inflicted
with this class of prOJecuISs, his words
were not without weight.
Two hours later, while a portion Of
the committee cOmmiserated with the
luckless Kentuck, another section of
that righteous body succeeded in un-
esrthing. just back Of his cabin. a
small but varied assortment Of cans
and bags, all filled with dust and each
bearing the private mark OF some res
ident OF the Fiat.
Three hours later Randall had made
a full confession Of his iniouftous
course and the jury had retired to con-
slider OF and concerning its verdict
leaving a guard at the malefactor's 8
door. The disgust heretofore mentioned
became apparent during the retirement
Of the jury.
"Ef the dern skunk had gone over
and robbed the Placerville stage it
wouldn't have been so bad said Par
son White, who, by common consent.
was the leader Of the committee. but
he must be ongrateful enough to steal
from gents he has been Twin with and
which has always treated him white"
The verdict Of the self-constituted
jury was such a foregone conclusion
that its retirement was a proceeding
more perfunctory than necessary and
the arbiters Of Kentuck's destiny soon
returned 10 the cabin.
''Kentuck," said Parson White. 1.-THE
committee, sittin' in its wisdom. has
decided that you've done the meanest
thing on earth-you've stolen from
your friends"
The special meanness consistin' Of
the fact that ] got their stuff before il
went into your brace game" interrupt
ed Kentuck.
The remarks is irrelevant and i'm
material" said the Parson. who was
not legally inexperienced. but the
court is not disposed to deal harshly
with the defendant considerin' he is Of
few days and full of trouble. Which I
was sayin', Kentuck, the Jury has
found you guilty of heenious offense.
but these gents has got their money
back. thanks to your foresight in bury
in II where ii could be found. and they
VIII be lenient. Paradise Fiat has
never hanged a man and don't want
10 begin now"
Your sentiments does you credit"
tnter5ected the prisoner
80 we've decided YOU can be shot