The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-04-09

y
this is your partner? All. sir, the telegraph
helps you fellows out of many sharp
bargain
'Ya'as,' he answered, slowly, evidently
pleased with the way I took it. 'Ya'as.
that's 'um. Tn sendin' down lot O.
stock. Bought il dog cheap over in Gen
esec:, Yesterday. Purity lot as ever you
see'
turned to my instrument. What was
to be done2 Though ours was a railroad
office, we often sent business messages
and II did as usual now should proba-
bly, get rid of my unwclcome visitor, with
out further trouble. But in the short con-
Versatlon with him | had somewhat recov-
cd from my first alarm, and now conceiv-
ca ca the idea OF attempting the capture Of
Tim Lynch.
was only poor salariod operator, try
ing to save enough TO marry in the spring.
FIVE hundred dollars would do me a great
deal OF good just now-to say nothing of
the ecIat OF the thing. But how was it to
be accomplished Here was alone in the
depot with man big enough to whip his
weight in such little men as l was several
times over. Any attempt to secure him
single-handed was not to be thought Of
But could not excuse myself and going
out fasten him in No; well l knew from
the distrusttul look in his face that any
proposal of mine TO leave the room would
be peremptorily objected to by him. What
thenf
Why, simply this, would telegraph to
the downtown station. But alas! That
very day the connection between the two
offices had been cut for repairs. 1t was
seldom used at any time of course. But
what of that 1t was only question of
few seconds more time
All these thoughts went through my
mind with the rapidity of lightning as /
went to the battery. Lynch regarded me
from the corner Of his uncovered eye with
suspicion that made NE shake in my
shoes. AS | sat down lie arose and came
to my side.
Look here, young feller,' he Missed in
my ear, and his breath was sickening with
the fumes of liquor, perhaps you mean
fair enough hope We do, for yer own
sake But don't understan' nothin' bout
them kilograms, and jist want ter tell We
that yer'd better be squar'-for by the
Eternal God! eff you go back on me, III
stretch you on this yere floor as stiff as
ever did man yit = and l felt the cold
muzzle of his revolver on my cheek. Per-
haps my voice trembled little, but was
still unmoved in my resolution, as re-
piled:
Never fear, sir; I'll tell him all about
the stock. He muttered something to
himself, and still remained standing over
me.
You have heard perhaps how much char
acter and expression telegraph operator
can put into his touch. Why, there were
dozens of different operators commitment
ing with our office, and l could tell at the
instant, without ever making q mistake,
who it was signalling. You could tell if Il
man was nervous from his telegraphing
just as well as you could from his hand
writing. The call that 1 sent hurrying
across the State to Council Bluffs, must
have rung out upon the ears of the opera
tor like shrek.
&C. 3. Dire you there p was what asked,
and almost instantly came back q reply in
the affirmative. Then with trembling hand,
| ratified off my message: For tile Lore of
God; telegraph toOur doom to,on office at once
Tell them that Tim Lynch IS soitAin tleo feet of
me, and they mast send help
A short pause, as though my message &C.
casioned some surprise, and then came the
response: All rightn which assured me |
need not repeat
WAL growled the deep voice of Lynch,
'are you going to send my message p
Il have sent it, sir
What Does all that tickn' mean what
told you?"
Yes, and ifyou will wait fifteen or TWEEN
ty minutes, you'll get al answer
wal, dunno as | want an answer. jim,
he'll understan' its all right.
"But III tell you soon whether hes there
or not. Sit down.
So Lynch reluctantly took his seat, look
ing around at the doors and windows once
in while in an uneasy way. I was de-
termincd to take him now at any cost; and
verify believe should have planted my
self in his path had he insisted upon going
now.
Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick !" the battery
called out, and listened to the message.
Keep cool. Gould has gone for the police
Strange it was, wasn't it That should
sit there and talk through two hundred
and fifty miles ofspace with man not
half mile from me.
whats tibet signerfy9" inquired my COM
panion, as the tickin' ceased and replied
that the clerk at Cohoe, had Just written of
the message and sent it out. He seemed
satisfied and settled back in his chair, where
he sat in sullen silence, his jaws going up
and down, as he chewed his weed.
o, how slowly the minutes crept along.
The suspense was terrible. | sat and
watched the minute hand of the clock, and
iun n o1 oo
companion seemed nervous too. lie moved
uneasily in his chair
Amt it about time ye heard from Jim?'
he asked at length.
1--WE shall get word from him in a few
moments now I answered, and fell to
watching the clock again. Five minutes
more passed. Lynch got up and began
pacing to and fro across the room. At
length he paused and said:
81 don't believe I'll wait any more. I've
got to sec man down at the Pennsylya-
mia House, and he'll be abod ell don't get
thar pretty soon.'
Hold on moment and I'll see what
they're up to- cried hastily, and touched
the key again. Make haste was my mes.
sage, Il shall lose him if you do not Not
Il moment to spare Straightway came
the reply, short but encouraging: "A squad
Of police started for the depot five minutes
ago Thank Heaven They ought to be
here now. looked at Lynch and thought
of the five hundred dollars.
Wal, what's the word 2 he growled I'M
patiently.
Your friend is coming,' answered for
want Of better reply.
Comm Comm Whar p
Coming to the office OF Co!oc lie
probably has an answer for YOU
AN answer for me jim Fellers " hat
should he answer for" Lynch stood in
stupid thought for q moment and then he
looked al me with 4 lannernua linLt In