The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-05-06
The Road Agent

six men of US had been held up by
single robber and all of us plundered
When he had finished his work, ht
nodded for the other five victims to ge
into the vehicle, but for me to remain
behind. When the stage had passed
On, he said to me:
Thompson, l am not a bad fellow
unless you kick against my game. JUS
knuckle to circumstances and we'll gel
along all right You take the guns, and
I'll carry the sack. Turn in by that
rock and keep to the west"
Whats your object in holding me
,prisonerT l asked as 1 picked up the
weapons.
"Oh, I've got three or four objects.
In the first place, want about $4,000
as ransom. Going to play Greek
brigand, you see. In the next, I'm con-
founded lonesome up here and want
some one to talk to. Thirdly, l may
induce you to go into partnership in
this holdup business. There's both fun
and profit in it."
We made our way through the brush
for a mile or more and then came
upon his camp, which was under the
overhanging of a great rock. There
were blankets and cooking utensils
scattered about, and as / stood looking
around he turned to me with:
THAT was lucky find you made
last fall, Mr.. Thompson"
you have referred to me as Thomp-
son several times" I replied, 'but that
is long way from being my name"
mo? / beg to differ with you. /
saw you at Diamond City three months
ago and am sure am not mistaken"
IF I'm Thompson, what am l worth
to you in dollars and centsr
"All of $1,000 and would be only a
tribe to you"
well, you've got left on the Thomp-
son business. may resemble him, but
he's in Boise City at this very date.
Look into my wallet and you'll find
cards and letters to prove what 1 say"
He looked at me very steadily for. a
minute and then went over to the mail
sack, into which he had dumped every
thing. When he got at my wallet he
found plenty of proofs that was some
one. else besides Thompson. He was
put out for a moment, and then he
turned to me and held out his hand
and said:
beg pardon for my error, Mr. Blank.
see that you are in the newspaper
business. No man has a greater re-
spect for the press than l have IfII
hadn't turned robber, / should probably
have become an editor. 1 have made
mistake. Tell me how 1 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 IL
ate, and you will have to remain here
all night You shall be guided out to
he road as soon as we have had break
asst"
he mad some good cigars, and as we
we fell into general conyersa-
Ion, and found him q well educated
md entertaining man. 1t was easy to
zee that he had been born in some 9th
t station, and l judged he was in the
business more for excitement than
roht. When he finally asked me how
would like to go pards with him in
he holdup profession, answered;
Il can't say that 1t strikes me fayora-
~. You are not only liable to be shot
own like a wild beast at any time
Ut you can have no enjoyment of your
under. Nothing is more certain than
nat you will be killed or captured and
ung II you keep at it long enough"
wen, don't decide offhand, but think
over. There are some drawbacks. Of
purse, but they don't count as against
he excitement of the life After the 4
rst adventure l think you'd like II
IS time to turn in, and 1 wish won !
bod night" 'O1
1t was long after midnight before
'zeu on and | was awake again at )
'e nrst signs of daylight. l had no I
ar OF the robber, and he none of me
could have killed or captured him \
ith ease, but don't believe he had
e least mistrust of me. He turned I
Il soon after did, and while we were !
ung the breakfast he had deftlv nre.
red he said: p-e 4
= like the idea of your going pards I
tn me. What do you say to itp' !
made the same argument as ha- 4
re- but added that was in business !
legitimate way and should want
rec months to make a change. even I
fayorably impressed. | could 600 4
at be was disappointed, and IN INV 4
m asked:
suppose we become pards the other !
w You give this business tbe !
axe ana take an interest IN a mine 4
ave az Bannock CityYv 4
IT'S 100 late for that" he answered I
ing 70 laugh IN a careless wav I'M
KING poor work OF Il. sAs 4 nave
yea 80 must reap. Thanks n,
~ KIND IIIIlloaf - ]