Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-06-02
Colonel MUSES.
And Hic b.
H-~L Donald
~~>~ Allen
Copyright. 1873. BY X. A. Whitehead !
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

marily to blame for his capture by
Grccian brigands. lie was pompous
and portly He wrote his name In big
letters on hotel registers and talked
about his mines and ranches When he
reached Corinth he strutted little
more than usual He found there an
English lord. and, wanting to show
him that he wasn't the only prominent
parsonage about. he cut a swath as
wide as he could. Unknown to him
there was an article In Greek paper
about him. He was said To he worth
S50.000.O00 and plling UP millions more.
and that he talked of buying up all the
ruins IN Greece and shipping them TO
New York rs free gift 10 the city.
Your true Greek hrlgand takes the
daily newspaper and pays special at
tention TO the society column. II was
on account OF that newspaper article
that Colonel Mugs was taken IN He
hired Il carriage and driver and guide
and two flunkics and drove ont into
the country from Corlnth TO do" some
Interesting ruins. but before he was
Altttt NA@AAA HttilAk Nv ithAiA AhhA
the brlgands hal "donc" him.
The colonel had made his arrange
ments overnight. and this had given
his guide time to send word TO the
gang. There were five of them. and
every man knew his business. They
came upon the colonel while he was
eating his lunch on mass of masonry
many thousand years old II was so
old that the brigands should have felt
awed. but they didn't
As soon as they had made the colonel
understand that he was at their mercy
they turned 10 and ate up the rest OF
his luncheon and wanted 10 punch his
head because he hadn't left more.
When they had finished eating and
drinking they set out for the noun
talus
The colonel exhibited reluctance TO
go with them. but they caused a
change of heart by prlcklng him with
the points of their knives One of
them could speak English fairly well.
aud he explained that. while II was
the intention 10 treat the captive with
due consideration until he had yielded
up the money. they couldn't permit
anything bordering on the frolicsome
In his conduct.
Say. now. but who do you fellers
take me for?" demanded the American.
as he was being hustled along.
we have made no mistake" was the
reply. You are the man worth $50
00O.OOO."
Fifty million nothngs. Where did
you get hold Of any such rotf"
I'm the newspapers You shall see
them when we get To camp"
We'll you are lot of fools | have
been swelling around some. and have
perhaps given false impression. but
it's all being done on cheek I'll tell
You straight that I'm from Meridcn.
Conn. t. :. \. I'm no colonel. though
| hate 10 admit It TO n blamed gang OF
robbers. I'm simply Joseph J Mugs.
travelling salesman for clock fac
tory | am over here % Introduce
eight day clocks. and | have hardly
money enough TO pay my hotel bill and
get out of town. II you've got hold OF
me thinking TO raise n stake. you are
going TO get left
I'VE shall see" replied the leader,
while the smile on his face showed
that he thought the colonel was trying
To work off old stock on him
After IA five hour tramp they reached
headquarters In the hill. Headquarters
was dilapidated hut and campfire
In lonely spot. Some black bread
and roasted goats flesh constituted
supper. and later on the brigands sat
In a circle around their captive, and
the leader said
you shall have the freedom of the
camp as long as you are with us. but
some one will have an eye on you all
the time. The first move you make to
escape will bring bullet In the
morning you may write letter 10
your banker and II Will be sent 10 the
town by messenger"
What in the devil shall write 10
my banker about demanded the col.
onel. who was tired and disgusted.
THAT he shall send us sum equal
TO what you would call 100000 In
your American money IA your ran.
SOM"
Jupiter Jewkins. but are you crazy
Have the whole five of you just escap-
ed from some lunatic asylum? If you
want any further chat with me tonight,
then don't talk through the top of your
hat"
You will write In the morning" said
the leader. whilS the others muttered
under their breath.
''But have no banker In Corlnth."
''rhen to the American consul. He
will help you TO get the ransom money
from America. He will use the cable,
and In three days II will be here and
you will be free"
'Say. old man." remarked the colonel
after a hearty laugh. this will be one
on me when | get back 10 Merlden.
You seem 20 have got the idea that
there are millions In the clock business.
Let me tell you that II we show 4
per cent clean profits a year we are
tIckled 10 death. My bank balance In
the First national Of Meriden is about