The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-09

very date. Look into my wallet and
you'll find cards and letters to prove
what I say
He looked at me very steadily for
sack, into which he had dumped
everything. When he got at my wal
let he found plenty of proofs that was
some one else beside Thompson. He
he turned to me and held out his hand
and said:
BEG pardon for my error, Mr..
Blank. I see that you are in the
greater respect for the press than I
have. If I hadn't turned robber. I
should probably have become an edi-
tor. have made a mistake. Tell me
how can square myself?"
"By giving me back my money and
putting me on the road to Silver City"
Here is your money, but the hour
is late and you will have to remain
out to the road as soon as we have had
breakfast"
He had some good cigars, and as we
smoked we fell into a general CONVEX
sation, and 1 found him a well edu-
Gated and entertaining man. 1t was
easy to see that he had been born in
some other station, and judged he
was in the business more for excite
ment than profit. When he finally
asked me how would like to go pards
with him in the hoIdup profession T
answered.:
'I can't say that it strikes me favor
ably. You are not only liable to be shot
down like a wild beast at any time,
but you can have no enjoyment of your
plumber. Nothing is more certain than
that you will be killed or captured and
hung if you keep at it long enough"
"Well, don't decide off-hand, but
think it over. There are some draw
backs, of course. but they don't count
as against the excitement of the life.
After the first adventure think you'd
like it. It's time to turn in. and wish
you goodnight
| 1t was long after midnight before
dozed off, and L was awake again at
the first signs of daylight. I had no
| fear of the robber and he none Of me-
1 could have killed or captured him
with ease, but 1 don't believe he had
the least mistrust of me. He turned
out soon after did, and while we were
eating the breakfast he had deftly pre-
pared he said:
with me. What do you say to i?
| 1 made the same argument as before.
but added that 1 was in business in a
legitimate way, and should want three
lfavorably impressed. 1 could see that
he was disappointed, and in my turn I
asked:
Suppose we become pards the other
way? You give this business the shake
and take an interest in a mine have
at Bannock City?"
Its too late FOR that, ne answered,
| trying to laugh in a careless way, but
making poor work of it. LAS I have
sowed, so must reap. Thanks for your
kind interest, however, and now well
| be moving"
He returned me my revolver and
made me a present of another. When
he had buckled on a pair we climbed
out of the gulch. We walked over q
wild, rough country for nearly an
hour, and then he finally stopped and
said:
1.-The stage road is right down there,
not ten rods away, and you turn to the
right. 1 am sorry for my blunder OF
yesterday and hope it has not incon-
venienced you. I have given you a
square DEAL and on the other hand I
have been entertained by your COM
pany. Good-day and good-by."
( We shook hands and separated.
Three months later we met again.
That is, I saw his dead body dashed
across the back of a mule. He had
been hunted down by a sheriff's posse
and had a bullet in his brain.-(Copy-
right, 1904, by T. c. McClure.)
I