The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-03-13
Ia the Billiards Grip

Copyright. 1906. by Mcclure. Phillips & Col
Joe Peters was bad one, but a
thoroughbred. He had seen better
days.
Colville was five miles from Fort
Yuma. Colonel McClentock used to ig-
tore the towns laws and go for tres
passers against bis 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 a paymaster
was robbed, and the finger Of suspicion
pointed strongly to the gambler. Over
to Colville he went, with half com
pany at his back, and Peters had just
five minutes to prepare himself. He
made good" by walking out to meet
the colonel and holding a 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 it was known that
Joe Peters was out Of health. Dissipa-
ton and a strenuous life were begin
ming to tell. He was so financially well
fixed that he could have gone in any
direction, but he 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 off in
a wonderful way, set in with biz
zard. 1t began blowing and showing
soon after noon one day, and an hour
after dark the driver of the up coach
rolled off 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 and had been three hours max
ing his way into Colville 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 coach"'
"a woman, and you left her behind!
exclaimed Joe Peters as he came for
ward
But what could I do?" whimpered
the man.
His ears and nose and fingers and
toes had been frostbitten, and had he
had half mile farther to go the. cut
ting winds would have had his life. If
ho oh Nd ho no
at least reached some spot from which
help could be sent.
"Who is the woman?" asked Peters
of the driver
"She's the coloners wife. That's
what makes it 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 for
q moment and then said to the land
lord:
Have the boy saddle my horse.
also want a couple of blankets and a
bottle Of brandy"
What the DEVILS afoot, JoeT
"I'm going after the woman"
There were vigorous protests from
the score Of men in the baroom. They
were not a selfish lot, and chivalry was
not dead in their breast, but it was
one chance in hundred, and they did
not feel like taking it. If rescuer
succeeded in forcing his way through
the drifts it 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 90 man
after man offered his company.
'1'm game to try It alone" replied
Peters. 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 man for you, and we are
a lot of curs" announced on individual
as Peters rode away in the storm and
darkness, and no man turned to resent
his words.
No one has ever told how the gam
bler's horse buffeted his way through
the drifts until the stage was finally
reached. What seemed impossible was
at 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.
"Is anybody in there? was shouted
by the man on horseback.
Eyes. but l am perishing with the
cold"
Drink half this bottle Of brandy and
then wrap these blankets around you.
Now give me your hand, and get you
on the saddle in front Of me. No more
talk now"
Two hours down to the stalled coach,
two hours back to Colville, and the
thermometer had gone down twelve de-
grees in that time. There were men
who swore in admiration, and there
were others who turned away with
tears In their eyes at the sight
The woman is all right and will be
clipper in day or two" said the doc
tor. but Joe Peters has played his last
hand. It's the most cruel thing ever
saw. He can't be disturbed for a day
or two. but after that you want to form
in line and 60 softly In and bid him