Evening journal., 1905-02-21
The Road Agent

nodded for the other Eve victims to get
into the vehicle, but for me to remain
behind. When the stage had passed
on. he said to me:
Thompson, am not a bad fellow
unless you kick against my game. Just
knuckle to circumstances and we'll get
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
prIsonerY / asked as 1 picked up the
weapons.
"Oh, I've got three or four objects.
In the first place, l want about 5000
as a ransom. Going to play Greek
brigand. you see. In the next, I'm con-
founded lonesome up here and want |
some one 10 talk to. Thirdly, I 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 OF 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 a lucky find you made
last fall, Mr. Thompson"
"You have referred to me as Thomp
son several times" replied, but that
is a long way from being my name"
mo? / beg to differ with you. I
saw you at Diamond City three months
ago and am sure l am not mistaken"
III I'm Thompson. what am l worth
to you in dollars and cents"
"AI of $1,000 and would be only
tribe to you"
'Well, you've got left on the Thomp-
son business. 1 may resemble him, but
be's in Boise City at this very date.
Look into my wallet and you'll find
cards and letters TO prove what 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 be
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 1 have. II
hadn't turned robber. should probably
have become an editor. l have made
a 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 is
late, and you will have to remain here
all night You shall be guided out to
the road as soon as we have had break
fast"
He had some good cigars, and as we
smoked we fell into a general conversa-
tion, and found him well educated
and entertaining man. II was easy to
see that he had been born in some 9th
er station, and I judged he was in the
business more for excitement than
profit. When he finally asked me how
/ would like to 60 pards with him in
the holdup profession, answered:
"I can't say that it strikes me favora-
bly,. You are not only liable to be shot
down like a wild beast at any time
but you can have no enjoyment OF your
plunder. Nothing is more certain than
that you will be killed or captured and
4 hung il you keep at it long enough"
"Well, don't decide offhand, but thinh
1t over. There are some drawbacks, Of
course, but they don't count as against
the excitement OF the life. After the
FIRST adventure I think you'd like 1t
It's time to turn in, and wish yoJ
good night"
1t was long after midnight before
dozed on, and / was awake again a
the FIRST signs OF daylight. had NJ
fear Of the robber, and he none Of me
] could have killed or captured hin
with ease, but l don't believe he haC
the least mistrust Of me. He turneC
out soon after did, and while we wer'
eating the breakfast he had deftly pre-
pared he said:
II like the idea Of your going pard
with me. What do you say to itT"
made the same argument as be
fore, but added that I was In bushes
in a legitimate way and should wan
three months to make a change, eyeI
If favorably impressed. I could Sc
that he was disappointed, and in m.
turn / asked:
Suppose we become pards the othe
way? You give this business tn
shake and take an interest in a min
/ have at Bannock City7"
ats too late for that" he answered
trying to laugh in a careless way. bu
making poor work OF IT. "As / hav
\ sowed, so must reap. Thanks 70
your kind interest. however, and noy
well be moving"
n He returned me my revolver an
made me a present OF another. Whe
4 she had buckled on a pair we climbe
q out OF the gulch. We walked over
n Wild, rough country for nearly an houl
q and then he finally stopped and said;
s. "The stage road is right down ther'
not ten rods away, and you turn to tn
q right / am sorry for my blunder q
yesterday and hope IL has not incoE
venienced you. have given you
square DEAL and, on the other hand,
a have been entertained by your con
& pany. Good day and goodby."
N We shook hands and separates