The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1908-12-03


as many, of them as possible to dinner
Tomorrow. But won't you get into the
carriage while we talk? The air seems
very chilly to me-"
Certainly" I said, and stepped within.
just then the hackman shouted out some
indistinguishable words.
what is it," said the woman, rising
and putting her head out of the carriage.
II say as how I've been drivin' round
the color Of your money or I'll drive youse
to the station, see?"
mo need of your insolence! said the
woman, taking out her purse and stepping
to the sidewalk. "How much is the bill ?"
What the hackmanS response was |
never knew, for the woman flung shut the
door of the carriage, and at the same
moment there was forward lurch and
the horses went away at a galop.
:. / jumped UP in the dark and tried the
door of the carriage, but could find no
| could hear a steady Gathering of what
knew not, but it was sufficient to drown
my voice, shut within the close confines of
the swiftly moving vehicle.
On the carriage went-on and on and
on, in spite of all my frenzied efforts to
escape. Why was being taken thus was
a mystery. AT first l thought of the
ludicrous, if annoying, explanation that
the woman was an impostor who had
given the llackman the slip after beating
him out of her fare and that the latter was
taking me to the police station to answer
for the sins of another. This explanation
faded as the carriage continued on and
on. heard the crash Off the elevated
trains, the clang of the street car gong,
together with the continuous beat of the
horses feet upon the pavement. Pres
emily all these sounds ceased and we were
going along dirt roads, The city was be-
ing left behind threw mysslf back on
the cushions and dehantly awaited the
outcome of my adventure.
was utterly and hopelessly puzzled
as to why anybody should take the trout
Bile to kidnap me, for / was neither, a
dom's heir, traitor vile nor millionaire,
and why they should take such elaborate
pains to carry off brokers' clerk with
six dollars in his pocket was too much for
my comprehension.
On we went. Like other foolish and
impatient persons asked If that ride ever
would find an end. OF course it found an
end, as does whatever is evil and dis
tressing in life. The motion of the car
riage slowed and then stopped.
There was long wait and then the
looked upon landscape brilliantly lighted
by moonlight.
"Come out, young feller," said the
husky voice of the driver. "Nobody's
goin' to hurt you. But if you try to
break away or go putin Up fight you'll
come to a sudden stop, seer"
saw, fortunately for my health and
comfort. There were five or six fellows
standing about and as tough-looking a lot
as one could wish to see.
"This way, Gully" said one of them,
seizing my arm.
"Hands off p I said, angrily, shaking
myself loose. II am not trying to get
away. Here am. What do you want
with me?"
"Want you to go in the house and keep
quietT said one of the gang
"Mebbe you'd like to say something to
me in PARTICULAR said the one who had
laid hands on me.
Il certainly would" said. "If the rest
will see fair play, I'll promise you an in
teresting two minutes
"I'm ready for you, all right" the bully
said.
"Get out. YOU fool!" said another,
ehucking him unceremoniously aside;
"the boss wouldn't stand for it." i
Don't be afraid, young feller," he con-
tihued, you're goin' to get square deal
Just be peaceable and you're all right.
But there amt no use gettin' mad about
It Cause there's no good in tryin' to buck
the whole gang. Right in at that door !
Common sense again came to my rescue.
1t would have been fine piece of heroics
for me to cry "Die, villain !" or something
of that sort and fling myself at the toughs,
but there lis no doubt that I would have
gained broken head, bloody nose, two
black eyes and an assortment Of sore, if