The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-01-29
In tEIe Billiards Grip

/
Copyright. 1906. by Mcclure, Philips 4 Co.
Joe Peters was bad one, but a
thoroughbred. He had seen better
days.
Colyllle was Eve miles from Fort
Yuma Colonel McClentock used TO tx.
more the towns laws and 80 for tres.
passers against his command himself
lie 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 paymastcr
was robbed, and the finger OF suspicion
pointed strongly TO the gambler. over
10 Colville he went, with half com.
iany ut his back, and Peters had Just
Ave m1utes TO prepare himself. He
"made good by walking out TO meet
the colonel and holding revolver to
his head until he gave the order for the
soldiers TO turn back. When the colo
mel 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
Toe Peters was out of health. DIsslpa.
tIon and strenuous life were begin.
ming to tell. He was so financially well
fixed that he could have gone In any
direction. but lie remained right there,
He had the cough of a consumptive on
him and men had begun to notice that
his grip was growing weaker when
winter. which had been holding of In
n wonderful way, set in with bllz-
zard 1t began blowing and showing
soon after noon one day, and IN hour
nftcr dark the driver OF the up coach
rolled on his horse at the Black Bear
hotel and was carried Into the barroom
more dead than alive. He reported
that he had been compelled to abandon
his coach in Panther pass, five miles
below. He had cut loose one of the
leaders aud had been three hours max.
ing bis way Into Colvlle against the
gale and the drifts.
And the passengers?" some one
asked.
There wasn't but one, and, God help
me, had to leave her in the coachr'
"A woman. and you left her behtndF'
exclaimed Joe Peters as he came for
ward.
But what could 1 do?" whimpered
the man.
His ears and nose and fingers and
toes had been frostbitten. and had he
had half n mile farther TO 80 the cut
ting winds would have had his life. II
he had abandoned the woman he had
at least reached some spot from which
help could be sent.
"Who Is the woman7" asked Peters
Of the driver.
shes the colonel's wife. That's
what makes 1t so bad. Nobody can get
through TO the fort in this storm. Ev.
cry cut Will be blocked FIVE feet deep"
Peters rose up and walked about fol
a moment and then said to the land.
lord:
Have the 10y saddle my horse. j
also want a couple Of blankets and
bottle of brandy
what the devils afoot, Joe?"
"I'm going after the woman"
There were vigorous protests from
the score Of men in the baroom. They
were not n selfish lot, and chlvalry was
not dead In their breast, but 1t was
one chance in hundred, and they did
not feel like taking It. II a rescuei
succeeded In forcing his way through
the drifts II 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.
"Im game to try 1t alone" replied
Peters. you know I've got little nc.
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
a lot OF curs!" announced on individual
as Peters rode away III the storm and
darkness, ard no man turned to resent
his words.
No one hes ever told how the gam.
bler's horse buffeted his way through
the drifts until the stage was finally
cached. What seemed impossible was
1t last accomplished. The three stage
horses left behind had fallen stiff In
their tracks and were hidden under the
snow, and the vehicle was simply one
Of the many snow mounds.
rs anybody in there:" was shouted