The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-08-29

j Ter selling HIS goods III SdlI Lake
as already mentioned, he started
out that fall, with three mules, and
one companion, negro, to find
another road to Fl. Bridger. He
negro, mules and all, were lost III
the mountains, and except the
mules nearly starved, Finally
they found an old buffalo which
they killed and ate despite its
toughness, and Holiday pro
nounced it the best meat he ever
tasted, served as it was, with sauce
of hunger.
Once, wishing to impress the
Postoffice department that the time
schedule could be reduced for car
rying the mail, he made the journey
from Salt Lake to Atchison-abou
1900 miles-in eight days and six
hours, which was unprecedented
speed for those days.
But the best story is that given
by Holiday himself to- a New
York reporter, of his being held
up in one of his own coaches. He
said:
zone night l was bouncing over
the plains in one of my overland
coaches. Mrs. Holiday and my
self were the only passengers.
Several stages had been robbed
within two months, and theNdriver
was ripping along as though gang
of prairie wolves were after him.
Suddenly the horses were thrown
on their launches and the stage
stopped. / was heaved forward,
but quickly recovered, and found
myself gazing at the muzzle of a
double-barreled shot gun.
"'Throw up your hands and
don't stir r" shouted the owner,
in a grrff voice.
up went my hands, and | be-
gan to commune with myself. The
fellow then cody asked for my
money. | saw that he did not
know who | was, and was afraid |
nv sick wife would awake and
call my name. My coat was but
toned over my bosom, but scarcely
high enough to hide magnificent
emerald that cost me over $1,000 a |
few weeks ago before in San Fran
cisco. / scarcely breathed through |
fear the light might strike the
stone, and its sparkling brilliancy
attract the attention of the rob-
Der. | had about $4,000 in belt
and several hundred dollars in my
pockets.
Suddenly my friend shouted:
Come, shell out quick, or I'll send
he old 'un free lunch I passed
out the few hundreds loose in my
pocket and handed him my gold
watch and chain. They were heavy.
think the chain alone would
weigh five pounds at least.
"There, said L. there's every
,ent I've gotl Take it and let me
20. My wife is very i'll, and | don't
know what would happen to her, if
he knew what was going on
"'Keep your hands up was the
.eply, while a second robber re-
eived my watch and money.
"Then search was made for the
Express company's box, but the
Iouble-barreled shot gun did not {
move. Its muzzles were within a {
DOT of my nose. For my life l did !
ot dare to stir. My nose began {
0 itch. The stiff hairs of my mus c
ache got up, one after the other t
nd tickled it, until the sensation
ras intolerable. l could stand it g
o longer.
Stranger | said, L must ;
cratch my nose! 1t itches SO that :
am almost crazy' r
Move your hands, he shouted,
md I'll blow a hole through your
cad big enough Tor a Jack-raDb1t |
} jump through
81 appealed once more. Well he
answered, keep your hands still
nd I'llscratch it for you"
did he scratch it," asked one of
ems listeners.
'Sure,' said Mr.. Holiday.
How asked the breathless lis
ner.
with the muzzle of the cooked
ln," said the great overlander.
He rubbed the muzzle around my
ustache and raked it over the end
my nose, until I thanked him,
Id said it itched no longer.
"The robbers soon after took
eir leave, with many apologies, |
i'd | continued my journey to the
issouri river, with the big EN-
aid and $4,000"