The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-03-14


was on my temples.
Twas not that. however, but the
barrel of a pistol that the man in black
held.
Move" says he fercely, and you
are a dead mani"
As soon as was awake ] guessed
what It was, and so, never stirring a
hand, said |:
THAT command concerns not my
Jaw, | conceive?"
"'Twere best you kept your mouth
closed" said he.
why" said ], 81 perceive that my
prognostications were all wrong, and
that we be fallen indeed into the
hands of toby-man, who will. trust,
prove as gallant as all his kidney"
"Silence!" says he. and give me
what you have
"You have my plstos?" I asked, po.
ltely.
YES" he replied triumphantly; and
at that knew he was a mere bungler,
| and no real gentleman OF the road.
for he was all a.tremble with his ex.
element.
We'll" said !, there is but the
matter of small bag Of guineas-"
'"Hand It OUT" said he sharply.
"Look'ee,' said /; you promise me
| death do | move"
81 will find it myself" he said,
| quickly.
| But | was not for having his dirty
fingers on me; so said |, with heavy
| sigh, II! ] must. | must" and ! drew
out a bag from my inner pocket.
You have saved yourself" said he
| hoarsely, and. Lord knew again he
was new to the game, for no born
| toby-man would have rested content
with what gave him when there was
two bags more of golden pictures
safely slowed In my coat
Now that you have what you
want" said meekly, maybe you will
allow me to ask after my compan-
| ions"
You will understand" said he,
that am here with four loaded pis-
tolls, with the which | will shoot any
that moves"
"Oh, accept my fate" replied, as
If desperate. "'Tis the young lady
that am thinking on"
He laughed harshly.
You have cast sleeps eyes enough,
my good man. ] have her jewels"
"D-me, now" says |, had the jew
els been in my keeping would not
have let 'em go so cheaply. Is the
young gentleman in his gore?"
NO" says he curtly.
I'VE have all been taken by sur.
Prise and robbed" says the voice of
the old gentleman, tremulously. This
man.
"Silence!" said the man in black
Are you there, miss?" said | to the
darkness.
A small voice says, "Yes"-vcry
frightened.
Keep up your heart" said I. I'VE
are none OF us hurt, and when once
this awesome ruffian-"
81 command you to be silent" said
he. savagely.
liberty. You have took our goods; let
us have our tongues left"
At that he said nothing, but there
came an interruption. II you will be.
lieve me the old lady had sumbered
through It ALL and now woke up at a
jolt of the coach, and cried out
| "Thieves!" .1
why, madam, you say right" said
IL; thieves 1t Is, and as ferocous a
toby-man as ever remember"
| With that she fell to screaming,
but the man in black clapped his pls.
tol to her, and gave her fright that
paralyzed her to silence.
"Give me what you have" says he.
IL have nothing" she stammered
There is no room on me to hide so
much as"
| BAH" says he. "If you will cease
your clatter will do you no harm"
THE gentleman has promised to do
none of us harm" said !, IF we be.
have modestly This coach shall not
swim In blood, for the which we
should fall to our prayers in thankful.
ness"
Whether he perceived my ironic
tone and was to resent IL know not;
but would have been equal to him,
the nincompoop. But just as chance
had 1t, just at that moment the coach
came to with crash that sent him
flying against the window He flour
ished his pistols wildly, and thought
the fool would have let one off Only
the door opened on the other side now,
and the head Of the coachman peered
in My man presents at him, shout.
ing:
'Move, and you're dead mani"
Whats all this stir?" says the
coachman, in amazement. Are ye
gone out of your wits?"
NO" says he; but you shall be
gone out of yours II you stir and do
not as | wish"
This gentleman says |, in mild
voice, has robbed the coach; and tis
only OF his kindness that we get off
with our lives
"You shall cut one OF the horses
loose and let me have IT," said this
ridiculous toby.man, ''or / will blow
ont ynnr hrainS -