The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-05-22

\ 81
tcopytisht, ias. ~ Mcclure. Philips { Col
doe Petera was bad one. but
thoroughbred SIC had seen better
days
coiville was I'VE miles from Fort
Yuma. Colonel MccsentoclS used TO e.
more the towns laws and go Tor tres
passers against his command himself
He had had tits with Joe Peters and
had declared that he would some day
get him dead to rights. he thought
the day had come when paymastei
vas robbed. ana the finger OF suspicion
pointed strongly to the gambler over
TO ColyiIle he went, with half a con-
pany at his back. and Peters had jus.
fve msantes to prepare himself. he
made good' by walking out to meet
the colonel and holding a revolver 70
his head until he gave the order for tins
soldiers TO turn back. When the colo
nel had got back to his parade ground
he took the biggest kind OF an oath that
he wouldn't die until he had got even
for the humiliation.
When fall came 1t was known that
Joe Peters was out OF health. Dissipa.
ton and strenuous life were begin
ming to tell. He was so financially wen
Fixed that he could have gone n any
direction, but be remained right there
He had the cough OF n consumptlve on
him and men had begun to notice that
his grip was growing weaker when
winter which had been holding Off In
a wonderful way, set In with biz
Eard. II began blowing and showing
soon after noon one day, and an hour
after dark the driver OF the up coach
rolled or his horse at the Black Bear
hotel and was carried into the barroo1i
more dead than alive BE reported
that he had been compelled to abandon
his coach In Panther pass, i've miles
below. BE had cut loose one OF the
leaders and had been three hours max.
Ing his way into Colville against the
| gale and the drifts.
@And the passengersT some one
asked.
"There wasn't but one, and, God help
me. 1 had TO leave her in the coachr,
"a woman, and yon left her behindi-
exclaimed Joe Peters as he came for
ward.
But what could I DOR whimpersd
the man.
His ears and nose and fingers and
toes had been frostbitten, and had he
had half mile farther 20 go the cut
ting winds would have had his life. II
he had abandoned tho woman he had
at least reached some spot from which
help could be sent.
@Tho Is the womanY" asked Peters
/ OF the driver.
"she's the coioners wife. Taats
what makes it 50 bad. Nobody can ge,
through to the fort in this storm. Ev.
cry cut win be blocked FIVE feet deep"
Peters rose up and walked about for
moment and then said to the land.
lord:
Have the boy saddle my horse. /
also want a couple of blankets and
bottle Of brandy"
what the devils afoot, Joe?'
s.I'm going after the woman"
There were vigorous protests from
the score of men in the baroom. They
were not selfish lot, and chivaIry was
not dead in their breast, but IT was
sne chance In hundred, and they did
not feel like taking II. II a rescuer
succeeded in forcing his way through
the drifts 1t would be to find the wo-
man frozen TO death. They argued
and protested, but Peters quietly went
ON with his preparations. When they
saw that he was determined to go man
after man offered his company.
1Tm game to Try it alone" replied
Peers. "You know I've got little &c.
count to settle with the colonel. Have
things ready to thaw US out when we
turn up"
There's a man for you, and we are
4 lot OF cursI" announced on individual
as Peters rode away in the storm and
darkness, ard no man turned to resent
his words.
No one has ever told how the gam
bler's horse buffeted his way through
he drifts until the stage was finally
reached. What seemed impossible was
at last accomplished. The three stage
horses left behind had fallen sta in
heir tracks and were hidden under the
snow, and the vehicle was simply one
Of the many snow mounds.
Us anybody in thereT' was shouted
by the man on horseback
"Yes. but am perishing with tina
cold"
Drink half this bottle Of brandy and
tilen wrap these blankets around you
Now give me your hand, and get you
IN the snddle In front of me. No moro
talk now"
Two hours down to the stalled coach.
two hours back to Colville. and thf
thermometer had gone down twelve de
grees In that timc. There we're men
who sworc In admiration. and thers
we're others who turned away with
tears in their eyes at the sight
The woman Is all right and viii be
clipper liz ! day or two aaid the doc
tor, "bur Ice Peters has played his last
hand. It's the most cruel thing ] eves
| aevv ne cnntf no dist1rjted for n dar