The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-01-07
Bundit Gold
By VIC YARDMAR
o Associated Newspapers.
WNU Service.

been robbed, and the rObber had
escaped with $40, 900 in gold. He was
reported headed toward Bear Creek,
and all residents had been urged to
be on the lookout. The announce
ment was made by radio, and old
Warren Samuels, who occupied the
only cabin on Bear Creek, north of
Big Pine, heard and seemed only
mildly interested.
Along about 8 o'clock rap sound
ed on the cabin door. Warren went
to the door and threw it open.
''Howdy," he said to the man
standing there. Come in out of the
rain. It's a bad night"
The visitor looked into Warren's
gentle eyes, stepped inside and cast
a quick glance about.
Got a radio, l see?" he said.
Suppose you listen in to all the news
broadcasts?"
Nope" Warren replied. News
don't interest me much. Ridin' far?"
"Stayin' here for the night if yuh
don't mind? Put my boss in your
STABLE already.
"Glad to have some company"
said Warren.
Outside the storm howled. Sud-
denly the stranger jerked erect.
Some ones coming!"
Warren stared mildly at the gun
that had leaped into the strangers
hand. No sign of fear appeared on
his face. q
Keep your mouth Shut" the
stranger was saying. 81 been here
since morning, get me? My boss
went lame. laid up here till he got
better. That's the story and you
stick to it, or else "
Warren flung open the door and
admitted a man.
The newcomer stared suspiciously
at the stranger.
"Howdy, Sheriff." said Warren.
Tough night to be out" He nod
ded toward the stranger. Friend
of mine, Bill Wiggin. Stopped by
this morning to lay up while his
boss foot healed. Bill, meet Sheriff
Hadley."
The tension was relieved. The
sheriff flung off his slicker. Bank
robbed this afternoon, he said
digger headed this way. Going to
meet my posse here. Seen anything
of him, WARREN"
''BilPS the only man passed here
in a week." Warren replied.
They gossiped idly. A quarter of
an hour passed, and then they heard
the clatter of approaching boots.
Wiggin grew tense.
Posse, I guess" said Had!ey.
Four men, masked, guns in their
hands were suddenly inside.
The leader of the four stared at
the trio in surprise. Company,
he said. Didn't expect to find the
old man entertaining guests. Still,
it don't make no odds" He turned
his head, Truss EN- all up, Jake. !"
The leader of the masked four ap-
preached Warren, jabbed gun into
his ribs. Guess you know what
we're after, old man. Better pro-
! duce your cache of gold and save
time and trouble"
Warren looked genuinely sur
prised. Gold? I amt got any gold.
Don't pan enough out of the crick to
keep me going, hardly
The masked gunman laughed
harshly. Likely story. Expected
it. We know better, though. Last
chance. Where's it hid?"
You're crazy! There amt any,"
The gunman turned. ''Take off
his boots, Jake. He'll talk"
They removed old Warren's boots,
stuck an iron in the fire till it glowed
red hot.
Old Warren screamed. The sound
reached Virgins soul.
Warren screamed again, and sud-
denly Wiggin broke forth in tor
rent of speech. "Let up, you foolsl
Let up! He amt got the gold, I
took it from him an hour ago. It's
in a bag on my saddle in the stable.
Go look and see!'
The masked man sneered. "We'n
look, mister. 1t better be there,
too"
One of the four went out, return
ing five minutes later bearing a
sack. His eyes were glistening.
"The jigger's right, boss. It's here!"
They dumped the gold on the table
and gloated. Hadley was watching
the man Wiggin. He knew that War
rem didn't have that much gold.
"We're going" the leader was
saying You'd better not" He
broke off. The door was open, again.
Sheriff Hadley's posse was there, at
the windows, too. The gunmen's lit
tie play had ended abruptly.
Hadley rubbed his chafed wrists,
looking evenly at Wiggin, but spoke
to his deputy. We'll be going back
to town now. Gotta get these bank
thieves locked up Glad we got the
gold back. Make things o. K.-for
every one. So long"
/
/ e