The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-07-06

lor NE squedieu Ii mRn, Ialsero(
voice:
"'Do them bar'ls look bigr
"'Yes,' said, echoing the old Joke
current among the miners, I can read
all the advertisements on the wadding
"'Come, heave out that specie box,
said the one man.
II insisted that there was none.
"'Here, look at the way bill; II
there is any such thing aboard 1t will
be among the items and made a
move to get down; holding the way bill
In my hand.
"'stay where you are, or I'll shoot
your
II threw him the way bill. He
dropped his gun and picked 1t up.
Profting by this action, I y,dertook 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 got onef
1.-THE man at the reins noticed the
comforting and halloed to US. The 9TH
err instantly raised his gun.
| "'None of that! Hands upv
1--WE threw up our hands, and he
again turned to the way bill. lid
manage, though, to secrete my money,
slipping 1t into my boot
you see, there's no mention made
Eof the treasure. and IL 1t was sent it
would be noted on the bill However,
you can look In the box and satisfy
yourself
"He hesitated but a moment and
then jumped up and looked in the box;
In 80 doing he kicked my valise.
"'Open this said he. did 50, TAX
Ing out carefully Its contents and let
ting him look inside; the wrapping
paper deceived him.
mo he cried, there's no treasure
on this stage. but we've sworn to have
a hundred dollars tonight, and II we
can't find 1t In the treasure box we
may find 1t in the baggage. Who's in
sideT
1.-TWO men and lady. None of them
rich; one is horseshoer going to Den
yer to shoe the company's horses.'
Gwen 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 perspiration stood in great beads
of agony all over my body.
ut 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 II she would
swoon.
You're a mean crowd to have 20
little with you,' said he, and I've a
mind to send you to heaven this very
night. A hundred dollars we must
have this very night, so we'll 60 for
your baggage
1.-The merchant then spoke.
You'll find nothing Of account In
our baggage, but II you'll ask this
young lady for her hat, and rip out
the lining, you will find something for
your pains
1.-THE girl turned toward him with
blazing eyes and uttered but the one
word:
"STraitorv
'@There was no escape; the hat was
secured. After the lining was very
carefully ripped out It 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
"I want the way blll,' 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 he picked Il
up and handed It to me. Then, touching
4 his hat to the lady. said:
but for this lining you might have
been lying In yonder ditch. No treas.
IRE on board. Come this way next
time without It and well finish your
accounts. Drive onp
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 hystericaf 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 a few mo-
ments of explanation in a private par
lor. He was SO In earnest that the
young lady yielded reluctant consent.
"He closed the door and bottled 1t
which looked very strange.