Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1907-12-19

ments in the hills. There are
natures, even enthusiastic ones,
which cannot endure the blighting
frost of continual disappointment.
They weary in body and spirit
and are for the time being pessi-
mists, even though with rest their
hearts may again be filled with
the song of hope. Fred had had his
Sunday dream and was awakening
to a very disagreeable "blue Mon
day" In his present financial con-
dition he could not tell Ruth Of his
life's hope. 1t would be unfair
and cowardly, and with this
thought in his mind he fell asleep.
He was startled from his slum-
bers about two o'clock in the morn
ing by a noisy comotion below
Hastily dressing he went down to
the barroom, where he found every
one wild with excitement.
The stage-coach had been robbed
and Gideon Gibbons killed, was
the report. TASTY preparations
were being made to form a posse
and start in hot pursuit of the
highwaymen. The Express Com
pany had some heavy cansignments
of gold bullion sent from the mill
of the Peacock mine, and it was
reported missing.
Fred at once signified his will
ingness to join in the chase, for he
did not wish to miss anything that
might ocuur in this wonderland
were love and robbers, goId-mfnes
and town-lots seemed to be portion
of his extremely varied experience.
He was furnished with horse,
and soon after they started pell-
nell down the mountain road from
Gold Valley in the direction of
Waterville to the place where the
robbery had occurred.
Rufus Grim offered five thous-
and dollars for the capture Of the
perpetrators of the crime, which,
together with the large sum offered
by tie Express Company, linked
with the tigerish love for hunting
someone or something, stimulated
a feverish interest in tie breasts
of these ragged men of the hills.
The san was just coming up
when they reached the spot where
T. ie robbers had sailed forth from
neigboring moutain gorge the
Z morning before and committed
! heir lawless work. About two
liles beyond they found the only
Passengers of the Inflated stage
i ZACH. 'e
A gentleman and his wife, from
be East, had been visiting Colonel
cast, the rancher, and were re-
irning to their home. The man
r ad been relieved of his wallet,
"a bntaining some two thousand dol
MS, also his watch and diamond
in, and his wife Of her jewelry.
they were in frightened and
azed condition, and were hoping
b take the next stage back to Gold
i Valley to secure from Colonel
Boast the aid which would enable
hen to reach their Eastern home.
They reported there were five
robbers When they had com
handed Gibbons to halt, instead of
obeying the order, he instantly
whipped up his horses and had re-
|ceived bullet in his body. The
men quickly stopped the team, re-
lieved the passengers or their pos
session, secured the express mat
ter, and hurriedly started for the
mountains wilds, taking with them
the four dappled gray horses which
Gideon Gibbons had driven with
so much pride.
Gibbons had sustained serious
injuries and was being carefully
cared for by mountain rancher
and his wife. A physician, who
had been sent for to come and
dress his wounds, said he would
get well, as the bullet had struck
a rib and glanced off.
After learning these meager de-
tails, the posse pushed on into the
mountains in determined pursuit.
The mount" was under the con-
troll of the sheriff of the county,
and the trial was easily followed.
In the Afternoon a halt was called
for refreshments. The horses were
ta4I.o,ol It'll 1o,,;o4e, b., ,,o,,,o +,,oo.