The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-12-23
MISCELLANY.

MISCELLANY.
ROBBERY ON CHRISTMAS EVENING
--
The Messengers Story..-A Narrative
OF Railroad Life
When my mate asked Of me last
Christmas eve permission to remain with
his family at the eastern end Of our route,
and not to make the tedious forty hours
journey toward tho blue waters of the
Pacific, OH which was about to start, I
had too much heart to refuse him. He
Joe Mel was his name-had young
bride and q younger babe, and it was
hard to separate them. True, our orders
from the company were that both o: US
should always jointly make the trip. for
VIC were carrying large quantities of
greenbacks and national notes, for the
payment Of Pacific railroad contractors;
and of course there was no lack of rob.
bers who were waiting every chance to
clean out our trunks, and perhaps clean
US poor passengers out Of existence.
Shortly before an express car had been
entered on our line, and Bill Hughes, the
messenger, beaten almost to death, and
his valuable charge taken and it was to
guard against such future surprises that
mate had been given me, but Joe plead
cd so hard to stay at home, and explain
cd to me so clearly little plan of his
own, whereby I could make the trip in
safety alone, that gave in to his request,
and fastened with him to set our little
plan in motion.
Joc's brother Ned, the engineer, was to
run his engine for the first two hundred
miles Of my journey, and he was to help
in the plan. You see Ned was counting
younger sister Of Joe's wife, and, it be-
ing almost in the family, he was willing
to do good deal 20 give Joe his Christ.
mas at home. First he went to the rail.
road superintendent, and got his permis.
sion to take my throug h express car out
Of the train and substitute therefor q
grain car. My car was one of those kind
with q passage outside, and III each end
besides those at the side.
This made it easier Of attack, should
robbers get on the train, as the multitude
of doors required strictcr guard, against
surprise, with an increase Of danger.
The grain car had only the two lit
tic grated windows for ventilat0rs, one at
each end, with wooden shutters on the
inside to close them up tightly. Ned was
to lock me in, and to hand the key to the
next engineer that came on, with some
private instructions.
Well, at 7 o'clock on Christmas eve the
train was ready to start. Our express
superintendent was down to sec US off,
and noticed the changed car, but suppos.
ing the other to be out of repair said
nothing. He watched me place the va'ua.
bic packages l had received in my safe
and iron chest, and then springing into
the car warned both Joe and myself to
be very careful, as he had news that mis-.
chief was intended before long. Joe was
helping me in the car, so as to appear be.
fore the superintendent to be going with
me. Ned came and locked US in, Joe first
kissing his wife, who was on the platform,
good.by, and pretending-lucky fellow
that he was so sorry he was going away
at Christmas. AS soon as the door was
slammed and locked, Joe went through that
or the other side. first thanking me again
for befriending him, and then heard
him lock the outer door with the kew
Ned had sent to him by the fireman. We
were off in few moments, and l had time
to look around and arrange my traps as
comfortable as possible. There was no
receiving or handing out Of packages to
be done till the next morning, when the
new engineer would open my door. Ned
would leave us about midnight, might
make myself as happy or as miserable as
chose. In less than an hour after leav.
ing l had slung hammock I carried
with me, and had turned in. The shut.
ter over the forward ventilator-my car
was next to the cngine-I had closed down
and fastened with wedge, to keep the
wind from blowing it open, the little six
by six hole, guarded by three iron bars
giving me ventilation. Near this had
slung my hammock, and then, with my
revolver in box close TO my hand and
with the bell.ropc running just over my
head, ! surely was in safety, and so I
dropped asleep.
How long slept I could not tell before
awakened with start as something pass.
ed over my mouth. It seemed like q
mouse or rat, but it left an overwhelming
smell, close, suffocating feeling. and be.
fore l could open my eyes to sec clearly,
or could come to my sepses, l was again
asleep. Again l awoke, this, time COM
pletely, but with fearful weight over nv
eyes. My head ached, and strove to
place my hand upon it. My hand would
not obey my wish; I must be paralyzed !;
it seemed As if I was yet dreaming; /
had no power over head or limb. Another
effort l would make to shake off this
deadly feeling, but rs strove to turn in
my hammock, or to lift myself, some.
thing cold touches my forehead with re.
freshing GOODNESS, and gruff voice bids
me lay quiet. I turn my head with in.
tense difficulty and pain, and I see a
black.visaged man standing over me. He
repeats the injunction to be quiet. l
trace his arm down towards my head,
and see that it is = revolver, which is
touching my forehead. 1na half:sleepy,
half.foolish manner, I glance At the dead.
ly instrument, and wonder what it cost,
and wonder If it will shoot straight into
my brain should it be fired. The effects
Of some drug are still working on me, and
Nc 7 cnuo ,unpn - 1sEa a. - vonpn 1rnnnm.