The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-01
Our Daily $bori Story
compelled to correspond with friends or relatives to raise that"

compelled to correspond with friends
 or relatives to raise that"
 Nary time," interrupted the villain. You send no letters from here"
 At least you cannot object to let
 ting us write our people not to be un-
 easy?" said Caswell, wondering what
 Miss Strother would think of his si-
 lence.
 Nary time." repeated Banks. I'm sorry fer the folks, you know, but they aint scholar among us septin' Cy, what can spell out simple-like words. Wouldn't we be mortal fools fer to let you write in somethin' in Dutch or highfalutin' an have your friends att ter us? Yeu jest study on my proper sition. This parler is your quarters; {; we'll give you coa'se grub an maybe a little mount'in dew now'n then. An try to be good--we ain't wantin'. to tie you"
 Nothing more was said on the sub ject for two or three days. Perhaps the kidnappers realized that imprison- ment and time to reflect on their sftu- | ation would tend to make the victims more readily disgorge. At last Banks, with his ever-present pals nearby. suggested the necessity of complying with the demands. Write out a check 1 fer the sum-" said he. Jest as soon Nas agent can go an collect it. you air free"
 They thought of doing this for a moment, though neither had snore than | two or three thousand dollars to his name. Of course, without an explana- | tion of the circumstances their draft would not be honored. Wherefore, | their last condition would be worse l than the first-the confidence of the | Ixi1 1p ha | The prospect was indeed gloomy. | The captives never doubted for a mo- ment that the ruffians would If need be l commit murder without compunction l Would 1t not be as we'll to try to over | power them. and die like men should | they fall? They had about come to the | conclusion to risk this the first oppor- | tunity when they heard voices out I side. one of them raiNd to a high | pitch. They could not repress a smile as they caught the words of the Sten- | tor.
 And you want ransom of old Billy | McCombs, do you?-Billy McCombs that followed Lee through the great war? see you don't know me, gen. tIemen. Millions for defence. but not | a cent for tribute! That's my motto | and there you are. More than that, | shall let my firm know of this, and | Clung & Spinner will see after this | assault upon the salesman who has been faithful to the house thirty-odd
 years. Permit me to say, my dear | friends, they will not let your thteving | gang last as long as a July frost" why, it's old Billy!" said Caswell l with the first outbreak of hearty | laughter since they were made prison . | CTS. The most popular salesman on the road. You do not know him? Then you have missed q lot. I@ I I'M A l.oI a protesting McCombs was thrust in. He | stood a moment looking around, then discovered Caswell and Chenault-the | former approaching him.
 Hello, Jule!" said he, grasping the young mans hand And thou. too l BrutusT I'm constrained to quote" | Chenault was introduced, and for | a short while an observer would not l have suspected the prisoners had ever | had taste of anxiety or trouble. Then 1 they began to discuss the situation | which discussion ended for the time | by McCombs whispering.
 No, boys. I've never stepped through | a hole this foot could not be drawn I back through. All the time the rascals l were fetching me from where they | overhauled me and my samples down | there in the road, I was scheming. 1 We'll be we'll out of this in less than a week. or my names not Billy Me- l Combs.'
 | As they heard footsteps crossing a | sort of a porch in the rear, McCombs | suddenly lifted up his voice again.
 No, gentlemen, have thirty thous- | and in bank, that's true," said he. T
 would perhaps yield 1t to these devils if I were young like you; but l am
 reaching the age of the lean and slip | pered pantaloon. I shall not give ur the savings I've laid by. 1 will rather
 consent to die here, for I will not be
 cut short of many years anyhow"
 The statement regarding his wealth
 induced Caswell to give him glance | of amazement. What could he be
 driving at my such downright lyingf
 Yes. Jule. l am aware that you | know 1 haven't a dollar ahead" ex-
 plained McCombs, but it's bluff-a
 part of my little scheme"
 We've handed them bIuf a plenty
 said Chenault dolefuily. Tt doesn't 1 pass current. If you could expand
 your scheme to include something else