Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-02-27
MeLadies' Roses

7e"s"s .
[Original1
There were eight passengers In the
coach, six men and two women, and
every man was armed. Gentleman
John, as he was called, had robbed the
coach the day before and had told the
driver to say that he would rob the
next one to pass over the road The
consequence was, this being the next
coach, that the sheriff, disguised as a
parsOn, was in it, and the two WON
en-" were disguised deputies. But their
Identity was not known to the pas
sengers.
"Opd like to see this gentleman road
agent git any of my money" remarked
a Hibernian. "They say he's mighty
quick on the trigger, but Opll keep me
finger on mine the while"
Some Of us down in Mississippi,
whar come from, are In the habit of
usin' guns" drawled man in broad
brimmed hat.
'Oh, we won't see Gentleman john"
said the supposed clergyman. He
isn't the fool to give US warning"
HE give 'em warning on the Denver
line," said young fellow in high
choker collar. They were on the look
out for him, but the first thing they
knew he was on the coach step and
had every one inside covered. Every
passenger was armed, but no one dared
draw"
The stage stopped at a tavern, the
door was opened, and woman with a
bunch of roses in her hand was about
to enter when she drew back, saying
that she wouldn't travel with men
alone. Apparently she did not see the
deputies, who were on the back seat,
and when they were pointed out to her
she sprang into the coach. As she was
about to seat herself she dropped her
bouquet. The young man in the choker
collar picked it up and handed it to
her. She received it with smile and,
taking from the bunch the largest rose,
gave it to him. He thanked her and
put it to his nose. Then the conversa-
John.
HAS any one ever seen him unmask.
ed?" asked the sheriff, fishing for infor-
nation.
NO" replied the Irishman, "hes
modest as a cyril. He hides his face
as the women do in Turkey"
"They say he's about forty" said
one of the deputies.
"Who are you talking aboutY' asked
the woman with the roses.
GENTLEMAN John. He's going to rob
this COACH
Law sakes! Let me out! Driver,
stopw
"You can't get out here" said the
sheriff. You'd have too far to walk
back. Besides, the fellow isn't fool
! enough to forewarn u.s.
I'VE are all ready fo' him. the Mis-
sissippian remarked.
| I'm 'fraid to death O. these western
| road agents." said the woman. II wish
l was back east where l came FROM"
| and she trembled like a leaf.
Don't We be afeared," said the Irish
man. "If anything happens We'll look
| out for tie women folks"
1 lie woman, WHO was sui SnlVeF1ng
| looked at window through which a
| raw wind was blowing. The Irishman
| who sat next it, put 1t down. He was
| rewarded with rose. Then the donor,
| imporing the men to save her if the
| coach was attacked, gave each man a
rose. This left two roses. which she
| hantel to tie supposed woman.
! Delicious" remarked the southerner,
| shifting his flower. Reminds me Of
| on beautiful howe the magnolia
ETe:y one in the coach was shifting,
and, the windows being closed, the fra
GRANGE permeated the pent up atmos-
| phere.
| 1t was now getting dark, and as the
coach numbered slowly along one by
one the party dropped off to sleep. The
first one to go to dreamland was the
youth in the choker collar, whose head
fell against the Mississippian. The
Irishman leaned upon the sheriff. and
the two deputies leaned on each other.
A red headed miner was the only one
| awake, and he made an attempt to
opan window, b,>,' the woman ca-@iN
his hand aud prevented him. He looi
ed at her appealingly and made an eff
fort to raise the window without hn"