The Winslow mail., 1918-10-11
How a Scientist Was
Saved from Death
By F. A. MITCHELL.


In the olden time, when there was
no travelling facilities west Of CAey-
enne except mule, horse or stage cOacA
Prof. Norman Asche, whose soft v0ace
and fair complexion denoted that haa
vocation must be refned-probably an
intellectual one-was riding q male
near the eastern foothills of the Rocky
mountains.
The professor had heard that eAe
bones of some extinct animal had been
discovered in that region, and he had
been sent out by the university In
which he held the chair Of historic D0-
ology to investigate the discovery.
There were sounds of hor9es' boots
coming rapidly from behind, and man
in 'plains" uniform, viz, sombrero,
woolen shirt and buckskin breeches,
came alongside the professor. On
reaching him this son of the wOoiiy
West surveyed him intently for few
mintes, then said:
stranger, will you do me favorT'
Certainly" replied Asche mildly.
"Here are some trinkets," said the
man, "that belong to my sister. 1--we
got to go to Colorado Springs. rec
you're headed for Golden City. Would
you mind takin' 'em to her tharT'
81 would be very happy to do so.'
"Shes Mrs. Cundiff. Tell her her
brother Bill sent 'em."
He handed the professor two gold
watches, several fnger-rings and other
jewelry, and without another word
turned his horses head toward Color
ado Springs and galloped away.
The next person Professor Asche fell
In with was girl riding horse strad-
die. She, too, was typical Of the plains.
She struck the road Asche travelled
from side road at the same moment
be passed the latter.
"Mornen, stranger" she said.
"Good morning." replied the pro"
fessor, with a pleasant smile.
Denizens Of that region at that Pc
riod on meeting usually began cOnver-
sation by giving each other an account
Of what was their business.
''I'm lookin' for some stray mules"
said the girl. "What are you afterY
"The bones of mastodon that have
been unearthed hereabout."
"What's that?'
Gan animal that lived many thou
sands Of years ago; before this region
was sea bottom"
'Lunyv" muttered the girl to her
self.
"Are you going to Goldenw asked
the professor.
"After find my mules, I may go
there"
would you mind delivering these
things to a woman who lives thereY
The professor held out the jewelry
with which he had been intrusted.
''Not much," said the girl, suddenly
changing her manner and putting q
revolver she carried in a more reacha-
BILE position. "Who are you, anyway?
You can't be road agent. And sure
them things was TUX from somebody"
Professor Asche told her how he had
acquired the jewelry, and while he
was doing so sounds Of a number of
horses hoofs were heard coming from
a distance. A dozen mounted men
came up and asked if the professor or
the girl had seen anything Of suspi-
ciouS characters. The Denver coach
had been robbed few hours before.
The girl saw at once that the coach
robber, expecting capture, had shifted
mis- plunder to the lunatic, as she sup
posed him to be, but realizing that
the said lunatic story would not be ac-
cepted, she said nothing. The pro-
fessor had put the jewelry back in his
pocket, but unknowingly left gold
chain dangling without. One of the
men espied it, and in a few minutes
all the plunder was taken possession Of
by the vigilance committee.
The committee did not doubt that
the professor If not the perpetrator of
the robbery, was at least trying to get
away with the plunder, and were for
hanging him at once. Fortunately,
there was not tree in sight. Some
were for shooting him, and some were
for decapitating him. While they were
discussing the matter, the girl was
planning for his defense. Presently
she said:
/. Scents, before you separate this yePe
little feller's spirit from his body, will
you allow me to ask him some Quesp
tions?"
"Fire awayl" said the head man Of
the vigilance committee.
mister, didn't you say that whar
we're standin' was oncet the bottom Of
the sea?'
"Yes, did," said the professor.
what are you doin' in these partsr
II came out from the East to exam
inc the bones of mastodon."
"Whats mastodon?"
can animal larger than an elephant
that lived many thousand years ago."
"And didn't you say that Tash noun
tain was made by the washing Of water
around itY