The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-09-15

letter for Mrs. Helterskelter or some
sich name Tommy Ryan brung it
over when he come. Her little gal
workin' over thar. you say?"
I'm the hotel.' shouted Fritz as he
gathered up the lines: eleven years
old and not bigger as a frankfurter!
The close fist of a Peter HildesmuIler!"
Up the road went the little black
mules at their steady trot, while Fritz
Numbered at them occasional words OF
endearment and cheer.
These faneies 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 whooping as II
from whole tribe of Indians. A ban3
of ga1loping centaurs closed in arount
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.
"Donnerwettern' shouted Fritz with
all his tremendous voice. '.Wass list
Release your hands from dose mules.
We vas der United States mail!''
Hurry up. Dutchr' drawled a mel
ancholy voice. Don't you know when
you're in stiekup? Reverse your
mules and climb out of the cart
It is due to the breadth of Hondo
Bills demerit and the Iargeness 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-
ual rabbit in his path. so Hondo Bin
and his gang had swooped sportively
upon the pacific transport of Meinherr
Fritz
The real work of their sinister night
ride was over. Fritz and his mail bag
and his mules came as a gentle re-
taxation. grateful after the arduous
duties of their profession Twenty
miles to the southeast stood train
with a killed engine. hysterical pas
sengers and a looted express and mail
car That represented the serious oc-
cupation of Hondo Bill and bis gang.
Trembling with outraged dignity
and no little personal apprehension.
Fritz climbed out to the road.
Perhaps the mail would not have
been tempered with had not Ben Moo
dy, the lieutenant. possessed certain
wisdom that seemed to promise 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 yarmints.
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 ii
bit through the tough canvas.
The Ballinger mail sack opened like
a cocoon under Hondos knife 1t con-
tanned but a handful of mail Fritz
had been Tuning 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 missive be
spared.
Much obliged. Dutch. be said TO
the disturbed carrier. Il guess that's
the letter we want Got spondulics
in it. amt it? Make a light. boys.
Hondo found and tore open the let
ter to Mrs. Hildesmuiler. The others
stood about. lighting twisted up lei.
tiers 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, peerfng over Hondo's shout
der.
"Ach, no, no, no-dot is German.
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
shame! Good Mr.. Robber Man, you
will please let me have dot letter."
what the devil do you take MS for.
old Pretzels?'' said Hondo. with sud
den and surprising severity. "Yon
amt presumin' to insinuafe that we
gents amt possessed of sufficient po-
likeness for to take an interest in the
miss health. are you? Now. you go
on, and you read that scratehin' 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. franslating the sim
pie words into English. The gang of
rovers stood in absolute silence. .lfsten
ing intently
As-r7Fs5 49,.