Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-07-12

Pray be calm" said 1. "You didn't
let me finish ~
Let you finish !" he cried. "You seem
to think jabber does everything. The end
OF 1t all is, that either you give me the
money, or take it--and if you interfere,
look out ~
That Is just what 1 was going to pro-
pose, If you hadn't interrupted me-" said
quietly, but with inward exultation, for
saw he was just in the state of mind to
walk eagerly into the trap was prepar-
ing for him.
What do you mean?" he asked.
l explained to him that it was impossi-
Bile for me to give up the money. My
reputation was at stake; it was my duty
to die In defense of that money! duty
which, FASTENED to add, 1 entertained
no intention of performing
But" went on, although am
bound not to surrender the money, 1 am
not bound to anticipate forcible seizure
of it. In times of disturbance parties of
ruffians often turn to plumber. Not even
the most rigorous precautions can guard
against 1t. Now it would be very posi-
BILE that even tonight a band of such
marauders might make an attack on the
bank, and carry off all the money in the
safe"
"oh" said the Colonel, that's the
game, is itT
That" replied, sis the game; and a
very neat game, too, If you play It prop
erly."
And what will they say in Europe,
when they hear the Provisional govern
IL
My dear Colonel, you force me to
much explanation. You will, of course,
not appear In the matter"
II should like to be there" he remark
ed. IF 1 weren't, the men mightn't
catch the exact drift of the thing"
you will be there, of course, but In
cognitO. Look here, Colonel, it's as plain
as two peas. Give out that you're going
to reconnoiter the coast and keep an eye
on The Songstress. Draw off your COM
| panies from the Piazza on that pretense
| Then take fifteen or twenty men you can
! trust-not more, for it's no use asking
more than you can help, and resistance is
out of the question. About two, when ev-
erything is quiet, surround the bank
Jones will open when you knock. Don't
hurt him, but take him outside and keep
| him quiet. Go in and take the money
Here's the key to the safe. Then, if you
like, set fire to the place"
Bravo, my boy p said the Colonel
There's stuff in you after all And what
are you going to get out of IT'D l sup
| pose that's coming next"
As the reader knows, I wasn't going
to get anything out of it, except myself
! nd Inn py,A 5v,Jk 10
to tell the Colonel that; he would not be-
lieve in disinterested conduct. So bar
gained with him for thirty thousand dol
lars, which he promised so readily that
strongly doubted whether he ever meant
to pay 1t.
do you think there's any danger of
Whittingham making an attack while
we're engaged on the job"
The Colonel was, in common parlance,
getting rather warmer than liked. 1t
was necessary to mislead him.
II don't think So" l replied. HE
can't possibly have organized much Of a
party here yet. There's some discon-
tent, no doubt, but not enough for him
to rely on"
There's plenty of discomfort" said the
Colonel.
"There won't be in a couple of hours"
why nOtT
''Why, because you're going down to
the barracks to announce fresh install
ment of pay to the troops tomorrow
morning. handsome installmeRt."
Yes" said he thOughtfully, that ought
to keep them quiet for one night. Fact
is, they don't care twopence either for me
or Nottingham; and if they think they'll
get more out of me they'll stick to me"
"Of course" assented. Indeed, it was
true enough as long as the President was
not on the spot but thought privately
that the Colonel did not allow enough for
his rivals personal influence and pres
tige, if he once got face to face with the
troops.
"Yes," the Colonel went on, an do
that, and what's more, I'll put the people
in good humor by sending down orders
for a free social in the Piazza tonight"
DELIGHTFULLY."- old-fashioned and baro.
NAL" remarked. II think it's a good
idea. Have a bonfire and make it com.
plete. don't suppose Whittlngham
dreams of any attempt, but it will make
the riot even more plausible"
AT any rate, they'll all be too jolly
to make trouble" said he.
"Well, that's about all, isn't it?" said
I. al shall be of. I've got to write te
my directors and ask instructions for the
investment of the money"
you'll live to be hanged. Martin,
said the Colonel. with evident admiration
Not by you, Ell, Colonel2 Whatever
might have happened if I'd been Obsti
nate! Hope l shall survive to dance al
your wedding anyhow. Less than a weeA
now"
, YES" said he, next Saturdays thu
day :"
He really looked quite the happy bride
groom as he said this, and / left him tC
contemplate his bliss.
II would bet ten to one that day never
, comes" l thought, as 1 walked away
Even If 1 don't will I'll back the Presi
. dent to be back before that"
The Coloners greed had triumphed ovel
, his wits, and he had fallen into my snar,
with greater readiness than l could hav,
hoped. The question remained, VIVA,
- would the President do when he got tn,
Signorina's letter? 1t may conduce t.
- a better understanding of the position if
tell what that letter was. She gave Il
/ me to read over, after we had compiled
it together, and still have my copy. Il
| ~,