The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-09-16
CHAPTER xxx.


was alone in the Office. a mid.
die aged, hard faced country
~ man slouched in.
"Is this Hillyers warehouse2" he
asked.
"Yes," said George. Anything Iscan
do for you" -
"Weil, not exactly fer me-" said the
man, "but old Squire Deck-l reckon
you know him, over in Gilmer2"
II know Of him." George responded.
"Well. he sent me to ak eff you uns
would let i'm put his will In your safe
that is, ef you got one; the squire
didn't know whether you had or not"
The man was looking about the room.
"I don't see none, I'm shore"
'It's there in the vault" George ex-
planned, pointing to the big steel door.
''Oh, it's in thar7 Well, Ireckon it's
good an strong"
"One OF the best In the country -
George said, leaving hia high stool
and opening the outer door,dS 1883.
locks2" ~ M
"Yes--thats it. Did you bring tho
paper with your We are alSays glad
to accommodate people,"
''No; didn't fetch It. He told me to
inquire. 1 never did like the notion o.
them combination locks, as fer's I'm
concerned said the man. sToo many
folks has got the password into 'em.
Now, good, stout key that shoves a
steel bolt into u good. strong socket is
hard to beat"
I'm the only one about here that
knows this combination" Buckley ex-
planned politely. I'VE change it quite
often too. Even Mr. Hfilyer doesn't
keep up with it unless I'm going away"
"Oh, well, / reckon 1t will be safe
enough, an I'll tell the squire about 1t
when 1 go back"
The man turned out of the ware
house, crossed the railway tracks and
walked on till he was I'm the woods on
the edge of the village. Here he was
met by two other men who, glancing
about furtively, came out into the open
to meet him.
George had considerable work to do
that night In the office. The safe was
doors Of the building were locked and
barred. Countrymen often came about
the warehouse early In the evening.
and, as he wished to be undisturbcd. he
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 8 o'clock until near
midnight. Suddenly he detected n
sound like the crunching Of grain Of
wheat under foot, and, looking round.
he saw three msss.sfssSs2ing behind him
with leveled revolvers.
What does this mean" he asked,
his eyes fixed on the rigid face of the
man whom he recognized rs 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 on that stool an don't
bat yore eye. The fool on my left's
got gun that's powerful easy on trig-
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 n grave one, and
he felt that he had little. If any, chance
for his life.
1--WE are mountain hoosiers," said the
leader Of the men, "but we hain't fools
by a long shot. We know our bushes:
as well as you know yore'n, an thar's
no need tellin' you ef you don't git {
move on yoreself an open that safe
you'll never open 1t ag'in."
That's it, then?"
Eyes, that's It, This is one time wher
you've got to knuckle ur git the wus
Of It."
George glanced toward the from
door,
you needn't be lookin' fer wa!
out" said the mountaineer, "nn' yol
needn't expect the night watchman t.
be pacin' along by here. He's deat
drunk. I know, kase 1 furnished tn,
liquor an seed 1t take effect.y
$50 you think you can force me int,
this thing" said George. "Do yol
know, I'd rather die right here thar
let you rob that safe while II is In IN.
| care?" -
"Oh. come off; you are no fool, Buck
ley. Open the safe. We are not her,
to palaver. At least say positiv,
whether you will or not III Jest Civ,
you sixty seconds by that clock III
thar. Boys, eff he don't open the SAT
In one minute from now pull down OF
i'm an don't miss fer all you do. You't
ruther die. had you, Buckley Well
we'll see If that's so or not. He's
chip off'n the old block, boys. Hi
daddy couldn't keep his hands OFF,
other folks things, an his life WASH
at stake. He'll wilt, all right"
$50 that's the reason you thought T.,
give in," said George, now quite pale