The Redwood gazette., 1910-08-30

SAGM ndAuG AUAAkAy AS 60 1kNAS -
over when he come. Her little gal
worlin' over thar. you say?"
"In the hotel" shouted Fritz as he
gathered up the lines; eleven years
old and not bigger as frankfurter.
The close fist of Peter HildesmuIler.r'
Up the road went the little black
mules at their steady trot. while Fritz
thundered at them occasional words or
endearment and cheer.
These fancies occupied the mind of
the mail carrier until he reached the
big post oak forest. eight miles from
Ballinger's. Here his ruminations
were scattered by the sudden fash and
report of pistols and a whooping as If
from whole tribe of Indians. A band
Of galloping centaurs closed in around
the mail wagon. One of them leaned
over the front wheel. covered the driv
er with his revolver and ordered him
to stop Others caught at the brides
of Donder and Bitten.
"Donnerwetterps shouted Fritz with
all his tremendous voice. "Wass ist?
1
We vas der United States mail!'
Hurry up, Dutchr drawled a mel
ancholy voice. Don't you know when
you're In a stickup? Reverse your
mules and climb out Of the cart"
1t is due to the breadth of Hondo
Bill's demerit and the largeness of his
achievements to state that the hold
ing up of the Fredericksburg mail was
not perpetrated by way Of an exploit.
AS the lion while In the pursuit of
prey commensurate to his prowess
might set frivolous foot upon a cas-
uai rabbit in his path. so Hondo BfI
and his gang had swooped sportively
upon the pacific transport of Meinherr
Fritz.
The real work of their sinister might
ride was over. Fritz and his man bag
and his mules came as a gentle re-
laxation, grateful after the arduous
duties Of their profession. Twenty
miles to the southeast stood a train
with killed engine. hysterical pas
sengers and looted express and mail
car. That represented the serious oc-
cupation of Hondo Bill and his gang"
Trembling with outraged dignity
and no little personal apprehension.
Fritz climbed out to the road
Perhaps the mail would not have
been tampered with had not Ben Moo
dy. the lieutenant, possessed certain
wisdom that seemed to premise more
spoils.
"Say, cap,' he said. addressing Hon.
do Bill. there's liable to be good pick
ings in these mail sacks. I've done
some boss tradin' with these Dutch
men around Fredericksburg. and /
know the style of the varmints
There's big money goes through the
mails TO that town."
Hondo Bill. six feet two, gentle of
voice and impulsive in action, was
dragging the sacks from the rear of
the wagon before Moody had finished
his speech. A knife shone in his hand.
and they heard the ripping sound as it
bit through the tough canvas.
The Ba1iinger maii sack opened like
a cocoon under Hondo's knife. 1t con-
tanned but a handful of mall Fritz
had been fuming with terror and ex-
/ citement until this sack was reached
He now remembered Lena's letter. He
! addressed the leader of the band, ask
ing that that particular mnissive be
spared.
Much obliged. Dutch" he said to
the disturbed carrier. II guess that's
the letter we want Got sspondulics
in it. amt 1T? Make light boys"
Hondo found and tore open the let
ter to Mrs. Hildesmuller. The others
stood about. lighting twisted up let
ters one from another HOndo gazed
with mute disapprovaI at the single
sheet of paper covered with the angu-
lar German script.
That's Chiny writin'." said Sandy
Grundy, peering over Hondo,s shoul-
der.
Zach, no. no, no--dot is Germanw
said Fritz. 1T is no more as a little
girl writing letter to her mamma
one poor little girl. sick and working
hard away from home Ach. it is a
shame. Good Mr. Robber Man. you
win please let me have dot letter."
"What the devil do you take us for.
old Pretzels?' said Hondo, with sud
den and surprising severity. You
amt presumin' to insinuate that we
gents amt possessed of sufficient po-
liteness for to take an interest in the
miss health, are you? Now. you go
on, and you read that scratchin' out
loud and in plain United States Ian
guage to this here company of educat-
ed society,""
Hondo twirled his six shooter by its
trigger guard and stood towering above
the little German. who at once began
to read the letter, translating the sim
pie words into English. The gang of
rovers stood in absolute silence, listen
ing intently.
How old is that kid?, asked Hon
do when the letter was done.
Eleven said Fritz