The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-12-06

the warehouse early In tho evening,
nnd rs he wished to be undisturbed, he
closed the door to keep them from
Knowing he was there. He also closed
the heavy wooden shutters Of the front
windows that tho light Of his lamp
might not show through to the street.
lie worked on unconscious Of the pas.
sage Of time from o'clock until near
midnight. Suddenly he detected q
; sound like the crunching Of a grain Of
D.; wheat under foot. and, looking round,
he SAW three men standing behind him
with lcvclcd rcvolvers.
, What does this mcnn2 he asked,
lis eyes fixed on the rigid fnce Of the
man whom he recognized rs his visitor
Of that afternoon. "Is this trap2"
! "Thnts about the size Of 1t, young
man." was the cool reply. "Now. you
keep yore seat OH that stool an don't
| bat yore eye. The fool OH my left's
got gun that's powerful eosy OH trig-
ger. an It's all he kin do to keep his
finger TIP. Don't shoot i'm. Bill. till
| I've give i'm n chance"
"What is It you want?" George asked
| He was not frightened, but the situa-
! tion certainly was grave one, and
I'he felt that he Ind little, II any. chance
for his life.
eve are mountain hoosiers," said tho
leader Of the men, "but we hain't fools
by long shot. We know our business
rs we'll as you know yore'n, an thar's
no need tellin' you ef you don't git Il
move Oh yoreself an open that safe
you'll never open 1t ag'in."
'That's 1t, then7"
"Yes, that's It, This Is one time when
you've got to knuckle ur git the wust
OF It,"
, George glanced toward the front
door.
"You needn't be lookin' fer n way
out" said the mountaineer, "an' you
needn't expect the night watchman to
be pacin' along by here. He's dead
drunk. I know. kase 1 furnished tho
liquor an seed 1t take effect"
$50 you think you can force me into
this thing" said George. "Do you
know, I'd rather dio right here than
let you rob that safe while 1t Is In my
care?"
"Oh. come Off; you are'no fool. Buck
ley. Open the safe. We are not here
to palaver. At least say positive
whether you will or not. I'll jest give
you sixty seconds by that clock up
thar. Boys, eff he don't open the safe
In one minute from now pull down on
I'm an don't miss fer all you do. You'd
ruther die, had you, Buckley2 Well.
well sec. II that's so or not. He's a
chip off'n the old block, boys. His
daddy couldn't keep his hands off'n
other folks things, an his life wasn't
at stake. He'll wilt, all right"
$50 that's the reason you thought I'd
give .in," snid George, now quite pale,
his lips Quivering.
:. well, that's one reason" said the
man. But what's the use O. talkin'?
Time is passin'. Jest another half min
ute, boys. Git ready. He may be fool
enough to want to defy U.s."
Hundreds Of thoughts flashed through
George ,Buclkley's brain. There was,
indeed, a large amount Of money in
the safe. and thousands OF dollars Of
1t belonged to poor people who had
brought 1t to him and IIillyer IN abso-
lutte faith rs to it's security. Could he
give. up their money to save his own
life. and
"Another quarter" said the leader OF
the men. 'I'll count six, and ef he
DON'T move. when I say six, Full down
together. Listen! That's the l2 o'clock
train. Fire Jest rs it's pnss!n, boys.
We won't take no resk on the sound
reachin' outside" !.
George heard the coming train. Tho
rumble Of it was felt in the walls Of
the building. The mountaincer was
measuring Its approach by counting
slowly: "One-two-three-
"Put down your guns" said George
Buckley. "No man can expect another
to sacrifice his life for n little money.
I've done the best I can. Put down
your guns"
"Thnts the talk, young feller. You
nre no fool. For minute you tuck
this thing SO durn cool thought you
was goin' to commit suicide. But keep
I'm covered, boys. We don't take no
chances on him. nur no other chap"
"You needn't be afraid" said George.
with n cold, hard smile. "You fellows
every man has his price; reckon
) ou u give Ilc part Ol tllc money. /
want to leave the country. They will
all say was concerned In it-bccuuse
OF my father. Is that understood-I'm
to get partT
"Yes. that's understood" said the
leader eagerly. Boys. We'll have to
divide with 'im-he's the right sort"
The train ratified by. George left his
stool and went to the safe. With O
hand that cleaned like that Of dead
mans in the lamplight, he twirled the
combination bolt back and forth; then
lie suddenly turned to them, passing
his hand wearlly over his brow.
"Look here" he said, "I'll have to
confess that you've ratified me.
changed the lock today, and the letters
OF the combination have slipped my
mind"
"Ah" 'snarled tho man addressed.
You can't come that OH us. Boys, he's
tryin to gain time. He thinks we
cayn't git In the safe. Sock it TO the
Hold on!" George held up his hand,