The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-07-19

The Colorado Robbers

One tempest tossed night, weather
bound at small hotel on the stage
route from Santa Fe, we met fellow
traveller In whom we became greatly In.
terested. The bowling gale and ele-
mental uproar intensified the cosy cheer
OF our snug little parlor. The genial
warmth from the heaped up Goals in
the CRATE stimulated conversation, and
we soon launched upon a stream of
startling adventures,
Among others, my companion, a fine
~ built, athletic fellow, narrated an ex-
perience Of the previous season. which
he said, made every hair stand on tin
toe"
!, "How?' we asked. "You were in
great perll?''
"One OF those imminent risks that
meet you at every turn. -Four of us
came In the stage from Santa Fe, the
last Of June | think. A young lady
governess in an officers famlly--her es-
cort, a wealthy merchant, reputable.
with a guaranty Of honor described on
every line Of his earnest face, and N.Y.
self, were acquaintances the other was
horseshoer Of the company, bound
FOR the stables at Denver.
The lady-among the twenties-was
30 happy in the thought of going East
and seeing her widowed mother-was
90 Interested and full of life, that her
Joy rippled through our conversation
iSe flierry warble.
you'd like personal descrlptionP
Well. rather tall and wlllowy eyes As
black and full Of sparkle as a frosty
night, and hair commonly called red.
but with CLINT of gold In lines and
Washes wherever the sunlight glanced
across It | saw 1t fully when she
dropped her hat, and a stylish, neat af.
fair 1t was, too--but have not come to
that yet,
"I'm sure you're aware of the bri-
gandage for which that route is noted.
suspect the mountain passes of the
Apprentices hold no more mystery of
came tlan do the rocky passes of this
fresh continent. Constantly facing
danger, the pioneer acquires a hardi.
hood that fits him for every fresh on
COUNTER of peril, however unusual. The
periodic robblng of the stages has be-
come so much Of q fact that the express
companies will take no more risks, and
specie and treasures have to be taken
Bast by private parties.
"As government expert, was well
known to the bankers of Santa Fe.
They never hesltated to lntrust me
with large amounts of gold, and this
time was no exception. So was load
ed, partly by means of an inner belt
around my waist, partly by false bot
tom improvised in my valise by gum
ming strong wrapping paper over the
precious parcels and inner lining OF the
bag.
'1The day would have been intolera.
ble but for the cool currents that swept
down the decllvlties and through the
mountain ravlnes Frequently during
the day, up the steep ascents, we would
get out and walk. 1t rested us and re-
leved the tedlum of the drive The
lady was most charming, rattling hei
words like fine shot against our sallies
of wit and wisdom, and turning int
sport and jest our serious fears. She
became confidential, and told us she
expected to return to madame, witt
a military escort-1f she returned a
all. Her flance was lieutenant. sta
toned now In Indian Territory; bu
when he received his furlough---wel
very soon, perhaps-then we might ex
pect TO hear the wedding bells.
"T would like to be little richer,
she added, with a sigh. but we mus
take what the good God gives us, ant
my treasure happens to be gold'
"'How much of dot have your salt
the practical merchant
"She laughed merrily.
"'Are you bandit in disguiser thel
added. the fruits OF my industr'