The Van Buren press., 1871-05-16


ing your train"
No I'll hurry up to the next statloi
and telegraph my situation
BY no means" said !.
"Why not p
"Ill not allow you
"You wont?'
"That | will not" Said l, emplati
cally, drawing from its hiding place un
derneath my coat tail, a hugh Colts re
volver. The conductors face turned to
just the color Of the moonshine.
Don't kill me-" he suggested. 81 was
only obeying orders, indeed | was sir '
MAYBE you'd like to pray little y
"Pray Good heavens! You're not in
earnest I"
"Oh, if you don't want to pray, said
!, cooking my pistol and examining the
caps.
He went down on his knees and prayed
butte fervently. just as he finished ]
heard the train coming back at full
speed.
Ding'd if they amt backing down
! They've missed me !" he cried, springing
to his feet.
They'll never find YOU" said J.
every easy" said he, I'll wave my
hat"
"Not at ALL" / rejoned
"Why not ? I'll let you ride to-"
| 81 do not care to ride" interrupted,
"let's take little stroll into the swamp"
"What for = he asked tremblingly.
piled.
For lords sake3' he cried.
"Move ahead !" said and so ! drove
him back into the thickest. swamp few
hundred yards.
"Now you just open your mouth, !
remarked, as the train Numbered slowly
past with lights hanging out on every
side, land I'll put ball down your
throat"
He kept very quiet and we could plain
lv hear the excited voices Of the passen-
oers and tran-hands as they were borne
along at q constantly lessening speed -
Finally the train was brought to stand
still a halt mile below. After remaining
there awhile it came slowly pulling back,
the men running along beside it beat
ing the woods a few rods on either direc-
ton.
Mean time was not idle. bound the
conductors hands and feet with his sus-
penders and gagged him with my hand
kerchief In this condition sat him
down against the root Of large pine
tree and throwing my over coat across
my arm, left him there. AS soon rs
cot out of sight Of my prisoner took
off ms small coat and turned it. 1t was
small flannel sack, made to be worn
either side out. 1t was black on one side
white on the other hastily put pine
knot il my cap and threw it into pono
hard by. and put on a soft hat which
had been carrying in my pocket This
hat was white and very broad brimmed
| now fastened to the vicinity of tho
railroad track and as the train with Its
excited attendants began to pass coolly
Joined the crowd of persons who walked
beside the cars. -.
"Singular what's become OF him.
remarked to the man nearest me.
Tarnation queer, indeed" was th
reply.
"He's sloped with the money" said
putting fat man on my left, "bet my boot
on that
THAT my notion said l.
ayes, yes,' continued the fat man ap
provingly, "that's it 'xactly. knew
, conductor out in Texas TO do this yer.
same trick once
"You didw
"Yes, sir, and Ae has never bee'
found.
"Indeed"
80, sure's the world, and they sai'
I he had pile Of money or hand too
| "Real sharp villain, wasn't he :"
"Was that, SURF" J"
/ Hist listen Who's thatT'
"IIelp help! help" roared volc
, down in the swamp.
, "EIelp help"
7 "Its the conductors voice." yelled
q breakesman, and forthwith everybod..
! rush into the swamp. In very littl
! time we had found my man who ha'
: managed to spit out his gag. l helpe'
to unite him.
; "How the dicken came yeu in thi
! fix p, said in an assumed voice, helpin.
( him to his feet.
"Ding if can tell you; must a beel
1.-THE devil. Great big black fellow sittin;
r on hind platform. Asked him for ticket
said had none. Asked for money, sai'
| had no money either. Stopped the trai'
and went to kick him off. Ding scaml
, pulled the bell rope and clutched me
/ SIung me off the platform, whaled m
like blazes. Took me down in the swami
and tied me. Pistol two feet long