The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-12-21

already closed and the front ana rear
doors of the building We're locked and
barred Countrymen often came about
the warehouse carly in the evening,
and, as he wished to be undisturbed, be
closed the door to keep them from
knowing he was there. He also closed
the heavy wooden shutters of the front
windows that the light Of his lamp
might not show through to the street
He worked on unconscious Of the pas
sage Of time from o'clock until near
midnight. Suddenly he detected
sound like the crunching Of grain OF
wheat under foot, and, looking round,
he saw three men standing behind MIN
with leveled revolrers.
What does this mean" he askeo'
his eyes fixed on the rigid face OF the
man whom he recognized as his visitor
Of that afternoon. "Is this trap"
THAT'S about the size Of it, young
man." was the cool reply. "NoW, you
keep yore seat Oh that stool an don't
bat yore eye. The fool on my lefts
got a gun that's powerful easy on t1s-
ger, an it's all he kin do to keep his
finger up. Don't shoot i'm, Bill, I'LL
I've give i'm chance"
"What is it you wanti' George asked.
he was not frightened, but the situa-
ton certainly was a grave one, and
he felt that he had little, If any, chance
for his life.
1--WE are mountain hoosiers," said the
lender Of the men, "but we hain't fools
by a long shot. We know our business
as well as you know yore'n, an thars
no need tellin' you ef you don't git q
move on yoreself an open that safe
you'll never open it agin."
"Thats it, then?'
Eyes, that's it. This is one time when
you've got to knlckle ur git the wusc
Of it."
George glanced toward the front
door.
"You needn't be lookin' fer way
out" said the mountai1eer, IAN you
needn't expect the night watchman to
be pacin' along by here. Hes dead
drunk. I know, kase furnished the
liquor an seed it take effect"
$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 M
care?"
"Oh, come off; you are no fool, Buck
ley. Open the safe. We are not here
to palayer. At least say positive
whether you will or not. I'll 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 oil you do. You'd
ruther die, had you, Buckley? Wen,
we'll see If that's so Or not Hes
chip off'n the old block, boys. bis
daddy couldn't keep his hands of'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 quivering.
"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 u.s."
Hundreds Of thoughts flashed through
George Buckley's brain. There was,
indeed, a large amount Of money IN
the safe, and thousands Of dollars OF
it belonged to poor people who had
brought it to him and HIlyer In abso-
lutte faith as to Its security. Could he
give up their money to save his own
life, and
another quarter" said the leader OF
the men. iii count six, and ef ne
don't move when I say six, pull down
together. Listen! That's the II O'Clock
train. Fire jest as it's passin', boys.
We won't take no resk on the sounc
reachin' outside"
George heard the coming train. The
rumble Of it was felt In the walls OF
the building. The mountaineer was
measuring its approach by counting
slowly: "One-two-three-four'-
"Put down your guns" said George
Buckley. "No man can expect another
tc sacrifice his life for little money.
I've done the best I can. Put down
your guns"
That's the talk, young feller. You
are no fool. For minCte you luce
this thing so durn cool I thought you
was goin' to commit suicide. But keep
i'm covered, boys. We don't take no
chances on him, nur no other chap"
"You needn't be afraid" said George
with a cold, hard smile "You fellows
are simply too much for me. They say
every man has his price; reckon
you'll give me part Of lhe money.
want to leave the country. They viii
all say I was concerned in it-because
Of my father. Is that understood-l'u1
to get part:''
eyes, that's understood" said the
leader eagerly Boys, well have tc
divide with 'im-he's the right sort"
The train ratified by. George left his
stool and went to the safe. With 8
hand that cleaned like.that Of dead
mans in the lamplight, be tT1rled the
combination bolt back and forth; Their
he suddenly turned to them. passing
his hand wearily over his brow.
"Look here" he said. "I'll have to
! confess that you've ratified Ine.
changed the lock today, and the letters
of the combination have slipped my
| mind"
! ALI" snarled the man addressed
t'You can't come that on us. Boys, he's
! ,,lyin' to gain time. He thinks we
| .:ayn't git in the safe. Sock it to the
Hold onw George held up his hand,
still smiling mechanically Don't fly
off the handle. can figure out the
combination in a few minutes If you'll
only take those blasted guns off noe
and stand back. I'm not made OF