The copper era., 1905-03-23
Unexpected Good Luck.


 A retired banker who now lives in San Francisco is fond of telling the story of the way in which he was ''held up by desperado in Arizona. At that time the banker owned q small copper mine in Arizona. and had gone down there to show it to an eastern man who wished to buy. He liked the mine, and took it, and to the astonishment of the former own CT. he paid for it in United States bills of large denomination.
 asked him how he dared to travel away from the line of the railroad with 50 much money. but he laughed, says the banker. and replied that he didn't know any one in the region who would cash his check. and that no one knew he had the money. any how. Then I parted ccompany with him. He rode back to Phoenix, while I started with d fresh pony towards the main line of the railway. twenty miles away.
 I didn't feel very nervous. for was riding across the desert. which was entirely fiat except for the scattered Iblue mesas that stood like loaves of bread upon its surface. It was not until I saw q horseman coming to- ward me that l scented trouble. You see this happened not very long ago. and the old habit of carrying weapons clad already begun to fall of. 50 l was completely unarmed.
 Hello. stranger!' said the new conner, who looked extremely hard up" five lost my way. Which way are you goin%?'
 I made the best of it and ohatted pleasantly with him. Finally, when he had looked me all over, he said. Stranger, I've got gun and you haven't, l reckon, so I'll ask you to hand over your watch and money, and then I'll say good-by."
 He had taken out d revolver, and it seemed advisable to follow his di- rections. gave him my watch and loose change. but he did not seem satisfied. and made me get off my horse. and after he had prodded me he discovered the fat wallet of bills in my shirt. Then he looked at me critically and smiled.
 "You're dressed pretty we'll, stranger he said. and you're about my size. I ain't dressed very well. Take off those clothes. and do it quick. I want to catch d train and get out of this country. but like the way your clothes look, and l want to wear them myself"
 You aren't going to leave me here without clothes?" l asked an- grily.
 He laughed then and said. 'Oh, no, I'll give you my outfit, and won't charge you cent for it. Come now. I'm in q hurry,'
 took off my clothes, and then, ac- COrding to his command, turned my back while he cautiously took off his and put mine on. Then he jumped on his horse, looked at my watch, and said, ''GOod-by, stranger, Don't try to follow me. It ain't healthy"
 There w.7ss<cething for me to do but put on his old clothes and take another direction on my pony. l was feeling pretty miserable about the loss of my money-a little over seven thousand dollars and my watch, and l did not feel any better by the time 1 l reached the railroad and jumped off my horse at the station. I told my story. and they telegraphed de- scriptiOn of the man up and down i the line. while I sat in the waiting | room. I had made up my mind that | I should never see my money again, but suddenly, under my arm, resting at my side, 1 felt something that seemed stitfcr than the cloth in the coat. I put my hand in, and there was the wallet. He had put it in his own clothes when he took it away | from me. and in his hurry had for gotten to change it back again when he put on my suit.