Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1872-03-14
upon me in such q manner thai
even in that faint light 1 shrank

even III that Idlut liSut L suFdhk
from their look.
Iopened the door and closed it
with a bang, as if l would cut off
the disagreeable gaze between the
DOORS edge and the jam.
"This letter has made me sus-
picious, IIpresume," | muttered.
Now | pick it up in one moment
aud the next l meetsa man who,
/ could swear lost-it.s - =
Rather a dark night this" in
terrhpted the brakeman I; who
rested against the end of the car
smoking a pipe. 2 -
eyes. It's drlzzly, too, I per-
ceive." n T "
Heavy enough to put a mans
pipe out" be returned, striking a
match on his 1pantaloons and re-
lighting the half consumed to-
baccO, gak.f;tl FsE
> AT this momentthe door opened
and the man of whom / have
spoken came out upon the plat
form. / had scarcely time to
turn whenrI felt a powerful and
strangling grasp on my throat.
My first emotions We're of as
tonishment that a man SO stun
ningly dressed should display
such tremendous strength; for as
/ instinctively threw up my hands
to unloose bis grip, l found what
seemed q bunch of corded iron.
But these emotions instantly gave
way to intense feelings of rage and
alarm. / tried to cry ont, but
could not make a sound, | then
looked toward the brakeman, but
to my amazement he coolly stepped
up in front of me, turning to my
assailant, asked, between two
puffs of his pipe:
sis this the cove 2. EI
EYES," was the laconic answer.
"Then let's have it out of him,
and make him swear not to blow"
"Confound him" muttered the
Tightening bis grip, 81
don't like his looks. Besides he's
read the letter. :, l..en.s
The brakeman took his pipe
from his mouth, and putting his
face close up to mine, he lit a Sec
ond match and holding it within
his alf,closed hand to protect it
from the stirring air, be passed it
over my features one by one
Then throwing it down with an
oath, he exclaimed: !: 4; ( i3tlt !
"Batch, I'm thinking we'd bet
ter risk him." 5aht s.5.'1sI . |
"Tll be hanged if I will" |
These words now changed my
feelings from rage into dread.--I
The utterer of them caught me at
a disadvantage, and though not a
weak man myself, he SO held ME
that, with the jol.ing of the car.
any decided effort on my part
threatened to precipitate me from
the platform. l was virtually
by his powerful arm.
AS | thus found myself held over
the very verge of death, fast sul-
locating under his merciless grasp,
his answer to the brakeman i'm
parted terrible closing of this
brief and unexpected scene. The
part / have described had soceu-
pied scarcely a moment of time,
and it was evident that if the in
tentioa was to throw me under the
train it would have to be accom-
plished speedily. ,4.r.rs.
swell, Batch" said the brake
man, "your judgments generally
about right. He's not bad
style, but if you say it's not to be,
why over he goes" - 80
The GOODNESS of this brakeman
was more appalling than even the
deathly grasp of his confederate.
owe must have this letter first"
answered the other.
80 yes, of course. But look
here, Batch" answered the trake-
man, taking his pipe again from
his mouth and bending his head
towards me, rswhy not take the
letter from and let him go?"
sa"DamD him! I watched him !!
He knows too much |! It's in his
breast pocket. Take it out quick,
and off with him." s.ala
The brakeman secured the let
ter. Closing my eyes, l uttered
an inward prayer. ,,-s ID
"Now," said this cool fiend in
stunning clothes, ''you'll be picked
up in the morning, and then
they'll give you free pass to
your family"
Here he made a movement to
hurl me over the platform. But
those last words had produced a
remarkable effect on me. Help
---,kh onAnoo