The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-01-09


tell him To run but short distance up the
rising grade, and then stop and back down
Slow
Billy obeyed instantly. lie told the
brakemen and the men In the baggage
ears that the conductor wanted them at
once in the rear ear, and then he hurried
forward 10 the engineer The cold wind
bit his face as he came out upon the front
platform. The moon was shining. and the
landscape on either side, as the train rushed
through II, was white and brilliant. Billy
clambcred upon the tender. IL shook and
Jared So that he needed all his strength 10
keep himself from falling Off Breathless
and half scared, he scrambled over the coal
and jumped down into the cab. Great was
the engineers Surprise to see the boy but
his surprise became amazement when Billy
gave him the conductors message. and
told him of the probable plan to rob the
train on the upgrade.
We've struck the upgrade now,' said
the engineer.
Then sha'n't see the fun :" cried Billy.
and turned i'm all haste To Chamber back
again. Crossing the tender in safety. he
hurried through the train. hoping 10 reach
the last car before il separated from the
rest; but he was too Late. The ear had
some distance behind.
II reckon they're having the tussle
now" he said. and he regretted heartily
enough that he could not have Il hand in
the capture that he had himself brought
about. He sat Down 10 wait as patiently
as hc could until the train should back
down. Its speed had already slackened.
and in moment il stopped. Then
il began to return. The fireman was
hanging out from the side of the tender
TO see when they approached the truant
car. Billy was in "A fever. In a few mo-
ments they reached the detached car
standing on the track in the midst of the
woods. Men were moving about IL with
lanterns. and the passengers, ladies and all.
were ont upon the ground.
They're all caught" cried the crowd.
as the returning train arrived; and very
soon the noise aroused the sleeping pas
sengers i'm the forward cars, and the news
of the intended robbery and the capture
was on every tongue.
Meanwhile the conductor had taken Billy
and led him into the car. and showed him
the minister" and the man with the
beard. and the ''drmken" man. each of
them bound at the wrists. ankles and ell
bows, and lying flat on the iioor.
Billy was intensely excited. And how
did YOU catch emf he exclaimed. ncr-
vously.
How did we catch them? Wen.
we waited on the platform till the train
left us. and as soon a the ear stopped.
saw through the window the rascals pull
their pistols. and each wakeup passen-
ger to rob them of their money. | told
two of the men 10 jump to the ground and
run for the other door, and then we rushed
in at both ends of the ear. The robbers
gave up at once. for they saw they had
been caught in "A trap. and we all of us had
weapons. You have acted like an old de
detective. Billy; or, what is better. you
have acted like "A brave. thoughtful man
and il ] can have any influence. you shall
have handsome reward. and the thanks
of everybody besides
The next day Billy was summoned to
the room of the President of the road, and
received most cordially. The great man
praised him for his bravery. aud said he
had not vet decided how to suitably reward
him. but felt sure the Company would
show it, appreciation of his conduct.
" Your conduct last night" said he. is
worthy of great praise: and hope that in
the future you will show equal thought
fulness and n correct discrimination in all
the affairs Of life.''
tainly was half wild with excitement n hc
bowed himself from the Presidents Office.
That day Billy went back with his train
for B. He met Muffin AT the halfway
station. That impulsive young mmrushcd
up TO him, shook both his hands and was
beside himself with delight.
BILLY, old fellow. do you know that
everybody all along the road says you're
a brave fellow-and that everybody j.
rightr Come. you'll have lunch to-day;n
Yes" said Billy. and I'll pay the bill
if you'll talk about something else besides
the catching of those thieves. The fact is.
Muffin, I'm tired OF hearing about II.
The corporation sent Billy to a school Of
civil engineering, where he Is now study
ing hard and winning honors.- Youh's
Companion.