Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-09-05
The Road Agent

six men or us had been held up by q
single robber and all OF US plundered.
When he had finished his work, he
into the vehicle. but for me to remain
behind. When the stage had passed
on. he said to me:
Thompson, am not bad fellow
unless you kick against my game. Just
knuckle to circumstances and Wen get
along ill 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
pr1soner?' I asked as l picked up the
weapons.
"Oh. I've got three or four objects
In the frst place, l want about 5000
- a ransom. Going to play Greek
brisand, 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 60 into partnership in
this hoidup business. There's both fun
and profit in IT.
We made our way through the brush
for mile or more and then cams
upon his camp. which was under the
overhanging Of great rock. Thefs
were blankets and cooking utensils
scattered about, and as stood looking
around he turned to me with: b.
THAT was lucky find you made
last fall. Mr.. Thompson"
You have referred to me as Thomp
son several times" l replied. "but that
is a long way from being my namA"
mo? l beg to differ with you.
saw you at Diamond City three months
ago aud am sure am not mistaken"
III I'm Thompson, what am worth
to you in dollars and centsy'
AN Of $1,000 and would be only a
tribe to you"
We'll, you've got left on the Thomp.
son BUSINESS. I may resemble him, but
he's in Boise City at this very date.
Look into my wallet and you'll fnd
cards and letters to prove what I 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 be
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 n greater re
spect for the press than have. II
hadn't turned robber, l should probably
/ have become an editor. l have mad,
a mistake. Tell me how I can square
myself"
by giving me back my money ant
putting me on the ro0d to Silver City
Here Ia your money, but the hour Il
late. and you will have to remain her,
all night. You shall be guided out Il
the road as soon as we have had break
fast"
He had some good cigars. and as ",
smoked we fell into general cow ersa
ton, and found him a well educatet
i and entertaining man. 1t was easy t
see that he had been born in some 9th
err station. and l judged he was in th
business more for excitement thar
profit. When lie finally asked me how
l would like to 20 pards with him Il
the holdup profession, l answered:
II can't say that it strikes me favora
bly,. You are not only liable to be sho
: down like u wild beast at any time
: but you can have no enjoyment Of you
. plumber Nothing is more certain tha
that you Will he killed or captured an
hung il you keep at it long enough"
"Wcl. don't decide offhand but thin
l II over. There are some drawbacks. 0
I course. but they don't count as aga!ne
t the excitement Of the life. After tn
h first adventure think you'd like 4
: It's time to turn in. and l wish 20
J. good night"
: 1t was long after midnight before
e dozed of. and l was awake again q
4 the first signs OF daylight had n
fear of the robber. and he none of m,
\ l could have killed or captured hiI
r with ease. but l don't believe he ha
e the least luistrust OF me. He turne
. out SOON after | did, and while we wer
. eating the breakfast he had deity pr,
. pared he said:
0 II like the idea OF your going par,l
With me. What do you say to itY'
t I made the same argument as bt
r fore, but added that was In bushes
{ In legitimate way and should war
>" three months to make q change eve
!. II favorably Impressed. could sc
v that he was disappointed. and In M
!. turn asked:
Q Suppose we become pards the Oths
G way? You give this business III
l. shake and take an interest in mir
!. have at Bannock City?"
Its too late for that" he answered
trying to laugh in careless way. b,
making poor work of It. AS hav
e sowed. SO must reap. Thanks K
= your kind Interest, however. and no
~ ~ Il.