The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-05-03

It was about week utter that when
Joe received very important commits
sion from the local bank. He was to
exchange five thousand dollars In bunk
notes for the same amount In gold at
the ButlervIlle bpnk. Joe hud in the
past been entrusted with even larger
sums and there was not nn iota OF
suspicion or doubt us to his fidelity
and safety by his employers. Joe ex-
ecuted his various errunds mt Butler
Vile before he went to the bank. The
gold was packed In n piece of wire net
ting and then slowed in a heavy canvas
satchel, and with this under his feet
ON the front seat started on his return
journey.
1t was late afternoon when Joe
struck of across what was known as
the swamp road. He Ind been made
uneasy several times from noting that
four suspicious looking men were ap-
parently following him. They skunk
from cover in his rear, gained on him
by detour. and Joe made up his mind
that they hnd some unaccountnble
knowledge of the treasure he carried
and were after 1t.
He was less than five miles from
home when he became assured of the
fact that the men were closing In upon
him. Looking back, he observed two
Of the men starting on run In his
direction. Viewing the road ahead,
Joe noticed the other two peerlng from
u thicket.
"I'll beat them !" he muttered reso-
lutely. and suddenly turning the horse
from the main road he dashed of along
a mere trail, confusing and distancine
his pursuers until the vehicle struck .
rut and both hind wheels smashed into
fragments.
All four Of his wOuld-be despOllers
were to be seen making for the
wrecked cart, and at break-neck speed.
Joe jumped from the vehicle, seized
the satclIel md darted down nm oh
scure footpnth. His heavy burden i'm
peded rapid progress, however. Joe
noted that two of the men had circled
about to head him on. He made II dcs.
perate resolve, took In his surround.
ings closely. gave the satchel fling
into the deep water ut the side of the
path and. unhampered now with the
weight of the gold, made u run In the
direction OF home.
Joe had just cleared n copse of Will
lows when report rang out. He felt
q cracking. tearing sensation inside
of his hend. The missile had struck
a section of the skull, dentlng 1t with
out laccrnting, but n strnnge numbness
momen,nrIly spread over him. Then
strange light -hendcdness succeeded.
He fed like some wild being. He was
white and breathless rs he dashed Into
the yard of the home of his married
sister.
"Quick, Lizzie !" he gasped, sinking
to the doorstep. telephone the bank
and then the police. Tell them was
pursued by some thieves and"
There Joe sunk scnseless. So they
found him when two men from the
bank and the marshal arrived. Joe
reused up. He seemed none the worse
for the escnpade, the details OF which
he narrated with perfect Conference.
At the point where he had thrown the
satchel Of gold into the water, how.
ever. he paused blankly, stumbled over
his words, and when the banker
unxiously inquired where was the spot,
Joe shook his head In dazed way
with the words: II can't remember"
Nor did he In the course Of week.
or u month. Perfectly lucid on any
other subject, the bullet that had
grnzed on his skull seemed to have
knocked out the one important Item
of his adventure. The swamp was
searched, Joe went over 1t with the
bank people. but with no encouraging
discoveries.
ave had no right to leave you to
take the responsibility Of nll that
money without n guard" the banker
reproved himself. "If you ever locate
1t, Joe. you shall have half as re-
ward"
But this incentive had no result.
There was a corner knocked away In
the memory OF the honest fellow ana
nothing could Strengthen 1t out.
Joe Bangs resumed his old business
and was trusted and liked rs OF old.
The doctors marvelled. but he was rs
clear-headed and sensible as ever ex-
cept as to the hiding place Of the gold.
For Joe one happy result of his adj
venture TRANSFERRED. Pretty Marie Dris-
coll became his fiancee after long
counting. All that postponed the we'd
ding was the fnct that Joe's savings
had not yet reached the amount no
deemed necessary to start housckeep-
ing.
One summer afternoon Joe was
waiting for Marie. who was to ride
over to Butlerville with him. The air
Mna f]rnWay and Joe fell asleep whit