Arizona republican., 1910-08-13

weahier suitor for her that shall pay him for the bridal
 smile at the girl that good words for was by this wondering what in the devils name had made her take up with this wnded church-jabber ing, mim mouthed son of curate.
 You have guessed rightly, sir" says he, though deplore the necessity.
 "Deplore your wig and waistcoat" said I. 'You should thwack old hunk. until be cried forfmercy
 "Sirl" he cried, in surprise
 There is only way with fools and Smadmcil," said, and that's the cudgel There be that add to the list, said, giving the maid look 'but not l. l of another kidney"
 q fear have taxed you with the idle talk"- begins this sacrstan. but stopped his mouth.
 Oh, drink, says l, drink to q better and more spirit. and confusion to old Hunks the Miser"
 wnked at Miss, and tossing off my liquor, go. If was to reach my destination that night must be ahorsc, and, to say the truth, 1 weary of the personical youth, though 1 should have liked we'll enough 10 have had the girl for company longer He and gave bow, this pew-opcner, and doffed to Miss and So got forth.
 Twas a fine night, ard, though twas late for my errand trotted gently forward along the James, pretty content in mind. and singing like innocent child at nurse l had got a mile away when 1 deserted against the twilight of the sky jogging along toward me; and at the time caught the measured tramp, tramp tramp tramp of a horses pads, the highway. reined in, and waited with the silly wine in
 my noddle and of sudden burst out the traveller as he reached the turn of the road where l stood Lord, it like roampadding of a sheep for all his squeas He elderly thin man, something lanky, but bowed in his shoulders and he carried bundle and a gros bunderbuss This latter he slowed round about towards me with cry of terror as l came up asif 1t swung swivel and bang went the contents fright across the mares crupper, startling her Damn your silly head" said l. Dye think fthat is the way barkers should be used? have half a mind to give you lesson and take you for target Mean while and whilst l ponder it, friend, out with purse { and baubles"
 And thus despite his protests ransacked his poe kets and found therein purse of good yellow guneas, the which did please me But all the time he shifted about in his saddle moaning and bewaing his hard fate, and that he held hand behind him. So says l. suddenly reaching out and catching at this: Shake hands on 1t, old friend" said, and pulled his arm forth
 n He uttered howl of misery, for what was cutched in his taons bag, and in that bag. slit me, pile of godhnches.
 l "Hoi HoP said I, but ere I could say more he had begun his old note, crying that he was poor man, that these were his masters and that he should die dishonored. and the like of that l slowed the bag about my waist. and was for giving him some lessons ,, "This learns us old gentleman"-I began soemnly. when he broke in, paying heed, and. to my surprise : in quite another voice.
 "Sir you are a man of your hands," he said, "and that takes the hazards, suppose" All are one to me" l said merriy. "Then," he said earnestly, There is something for your digestion You have small spoil there, wrested from me, after hard years of labor and toil But what if you had the chance to double. nay to quad rupe, it" he asked. pushing his nag close to mine in his anxiety to be understood
 What yef" I asked
 "'Tis true," he said, 'that am poor man. But have abored hard and have collected few pieces of gold I should lose them with an i'll mind Yet I have like yourself heart for hazards and will make you an offer" he says. l stared him in wonder "You shall with me" he pursued catching my eagerly to my solitary house. and there you shall dice against me and if so be lose, you shall have only what you hold now, but all that is mine therein which is four times this little But if so be the lot falls me- then you shall surrender what you have, and leave me in peace"
 Now sat looking on this strange creature with his strange proposal for minutes in silence for what he suggested perplexed And yet 1t tickled my curiosity could the perils of it but if he played me fair there something attractive in the notion I not glutton for guinea but l like game of chance And so, said l. at ast revolving it all in my mind:
 Lead on. old beetle and follow. But beware lest you play me false"
 "Sir. it shall be as say" he answered. not without dignity. And so we logged along together in the direction he had pointed but, you may suppose with one eye upon the lank old rogue.
 Presently twist of the lane brought us to open green, in which twniled few lights and I now pushed my abreast of the other nag and redoubled my watchfulness of my shifty companion.
 "Sir" says he in a trembling voice, "we nearly at destination. and am obliged to you for your courtesy"
 You may quit civil terms" said shortly, "unti this occasion is celebrated. Where is your house"
 Straight across the green, said he mildly, and turned the horses thither.
 was not afraid of village, let alone pulling hamlet, but somehow l dstrusted my companion, and I was not for being trcked by an old knave. So I was not taken aback when, horses swinging into lane of the green abruptly under the lights of tavern.
 Joshua! Peteri Helpl Thieves!" screamed the old man, suddenly seizing my leg.
 But the old villain had reckoned without Dick Ryder though there are plenty that would have been put about by the unexpectedness of the trick. l seized his rein swiftly, leaving him to pinch my leg he wlled, and giving his nag the tip of boot simutan eously, in moment were in sharp canter. The lights slipped by, and though could hear the tramp of feet and the sound of voices and guessed that within had responded to his shouts had old bag of bones safe and sorry
 Well, will own it odd business. this compact with the old trckster, but was in gamesome mood. and cared not. And moreover, was assured that he had had lesson in conduct and would not attempt his trcachery again In this right for there nothing happened rntil had pulled up before house in lona', road