Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-04-19

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huge rock across the track at the en-
bankment, so l shall stop the mid
night train at Postville. The pas en-
gers must wait a few hours there, and
come on in the morning after the
track is cleared.
Have you sent the message, Rob
ert?' Not yet. There is plenty ol
time. That train does not reach Post
vile till hall past eleven, and it is
notyet eight. Yes it is just striking.
Better send it Robert. If there
should be an accident you would
never forgive yourself. Send it while
/ put some clean towels in the wash
room. and then | will come and sit
with you till you can come home.
She went into the dressiog-room as
she spoke, taking no light, but de-
pending on the candles burning in the
Office. was rising from my seat to
send the telegram when the door
opened, and four Of the worst charac-
tecs in the town, led by by John
| Martin, entered the room. Before |
could speak, two threw me back in
my chair, one held a revolver to my
head, and John Martin spoke.
Mr.. Hill was here to stop the up
train. You will not sehd the mes
sage. Listen. The rock is there to
stop the train-put there for that
purpose. There is $50, 600 in gold on
the train. Do you understand 2
You would risk all the lives on
the train to rob it?' | cried horror
struck.
! 'Exactly!' was the cool reply
'One.Gith is yours if you keep back
the message. The money has been
watched all the way along
! | saw the whole diabolical scheme
at once. Ii the train came it would
be thrown off the cmbankment while
the men could easily lie in wait.
Come Martin said, you oin u.s.
Never | cried Indignantly.
l trembled for Alice. IF only my
life were at stake, | could have BON
it better. But even if we were both
murdered ! coul / not take the blood
Of The passengers on the train upon
nv head Not a sound came from
the little room as was tied hand ana
foot in my chair bound so securely
that | could not move. 1t was pro-
posed to gag me, but they concluded
| that my cries, if | made any, could
not be heard, and handkerchief was
bound over my mouth.
The door of the wash-room was
closed and locked. Alice stood un-
discovered. Then the light was
blown out, and the ruhians left me,
locking the door after them.
There was long silence. Outside
| could hear the step Of the men
pacing up and down, watching. |
rubbed my head against the wall be-
hind me, and succeeded in getting
tAe handkerchief on my mouth to fall
around my neck.
l had scarcely accomplished this
when there was tap on the inner
door.
'Robert' Alice SAID.
Yes, lovel speak low, there is a
man under my window
Are you alone in the room?'
Yes, dear.
i am going to Potsville. There is
no man under my window, and | can
get out there. | have six long roller
towels here, knotted together, and |
have cut my white skirt into wide
strips to join them. The rope SO made
reaches nearly to the ground I shall
fasten it to the door knob and let my
self down. It will not take long to
reach home, saddle Selim and reach
Postyille in time. Don't fear me,
when you hear hen cackllng under
my window you will know l am safe
ly on the ground.
Little Alice My heart throbbed
heavily as I heard her heroic proposal
but l dareG not stop her.
Heaven bless and protect you, I
said and listened for the signal. Soon
the cackling noise told Inc the first
step OF her perilous undertaking was
taken. 1t was dark, cloundy and
~, $40 +o,,p5, n ctorp, ,pI oo ,oaa1u 90