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

current among the miners, 4 can read
all the advertisements on the wadAing
"'Come, heave out that specie box,
said the one man.
81 insisted that there was none.
"'Here, look at the way bill II
there Is any such thing aboard it will
be among the items and l made a
move to get down, holding the way bill
In my hand.
"'Stay where you are, or TIL shoot
your
II threw him the way bill. He
dropped his gun and picked 1t up.
Profting by this action, l ysdertook to
slip my portmonnaie into my boots,
and moved my hands around to get
into my pocket. The driver, misunder-
standing the movement, whispered:
"'Have you get onef
''The man at the reins noticed the
cenferring and halloed to us The 9TH
er instantly raised his gun.
None OF thati Hands up!
1--WE threw up our hands, and he
again turned to the way bill. lid
manage, though, to secrets my money,
slipping 1t into my boot.
"You see, there's no mention made
of the treasure, and II 1t was sent 1t
would be noted on the bill. However,
you can look In the box and satisfy
yourself
"He hesitated but q moment and
then jumped up and looked In the box {;
In 80 doing he kicked my valise.
"'Open this said he. 1 did so, tax
ing out carefully its contents and let
ting him look inside; the wrapping
paper deceived him.
"'No,' he cried, there's no treasure
on this stage. but we've sworn to have
hundred dollars tonight, and If we
can't find 1t In the treasure box we
may find 1t In the baggage. Who's in
| sidep
"'Two men and lady. None of them
rich; one is horseshoer going to Den
yer to shoe the company's horses.'
"'We'll look out for 'em. Whatever
happens, don't stir on your peril. We
may find money on them or in their
luggage
II felt terribly for the young girl.
The perspiratlon stood In great beads
Of agony all over my body.
1T was evident they were sleeping.
The man ratified the door and routed
them. Presenting his gun, he ordered
them out to be searched. They obeyed,
half asleep. He placed them In a row.
Hands up he said. Now for your
pocketsp The horseshoer had but two
dollars In silver, the merchants port
monnaie showed but five, and the
young lady's showed nothing but her
papers and little change The girl,
! was sure, looked as If she would
swoon.
You're mean crowd to have 30
little with you,' said he, and I've
mind to send you to heaven this very
night A hundred dollars we must
have this very night, 80 we'll go for
your baggage
"The merchant then spoke.
You'll find nothing of account In
our baggage, but If you'll ask this
young lady for her hat, and rip out
the lining, you will find something for
your pains
"The girl turned toward him with
blazing eyes and uttered but the one
word:
Traitor!
''There was no escape; the hat was
secured After the lining was very
carefully ripped out 1t was returned
with thanks.
"'In luck, in luck said the highway
man. Jump in, ALL I'm sorry for your
loss, miss, but we are bound to take
whatever Is sent us. We have no treas
ure. but this will do. Drive on
al want the way BILL said excit-
edly, for the scene had just witnessed
increased my indignation to fever heat.
"He handed 1t to me, but 1t futtered
under the horses feet, and again I de-
manded 1t. Mechanically ne picked 1t
up and handed 1t to me, Then, touching
his hat to the lady, said:
"'But for this lining you might have
been lying in yonder ditch. No treas
ure on board. Come this way next
time without 1t and well finish your
accounts, Drive ont
1--WE gladly followed his advice, but
could not find words strong enough to
express our contempt for the meanness
of the merchant The driver swore at
him In Spanish, and the young lady
answered all attempts at consolation
with hysterical sobs. The merchant
alone preserved his cool equanimity of
temper.
ARRIVING at Denver, he begged the
young lady very earnestly, with me as
her friend, to grant him few mo-
ments of explanation in private par
lor. He was 50 in earnest that the
young lady yielded reluctant consent
ale closed the door and bolted It.
which looked very strange.
"'Dont fear he said, as fumbled
for my revolver. Sitting in chair,
he pulled of his boot, and from the toe
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