Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-05-09

and closed the door, locked it, and turned
to the boxes and packages that were
scattered around. The first thing that
attracted my attention was long pine
box.
l had not noticed it when it
was loaded, and thinking it
was queer time for a funeral to
start East, examined the address. 1t
was consigned to New Orleans. l en-
tered it on the book with the other ex-
press, and for an hour or more, while
sorting over the packages, took no no.
tice of my silent companion.
1t was a common thing to have one or
two funerals the whole length of the trip
eastward, and | thought of this as |
thought of others: "Some poor fellow
who left pleasant home to come here in
search of fortune, only to die on the
alkali plains, without friend"
And after L had showed the box against
the side of the car opened bundle of
newspapers and selected one to read. 1t
was not very late, and tilting my chair
against the side of the car beneath
lamp, was soon interested in the news
of the day.
How long was in that position I do
not know, but uncoDsciously fell into
light sleep when l had finished reading
the paper. l awoke with feeling of
dread and fascination in complete pos
session of me. | did not move; | could
not. Something held me almost breath
less, and several minutes passed before l
could open my eyes. When l did, my
heart gave quick throb!
The top of the pine box was partly
raised, and the features of a man, shaded
from the dim light, were revealed to my
acute senses!
Even then, though greatly startled, I
did not make motion, and my eyes
were all but closed. Peering from the
corner of one eye, l tried to make out
his features, but saw nothing beyond the
brutal eyes and half-savage mouth. In
an instant it flashed across me that he
was train robber2
He was evidently waiting to sec if l
was fast asleep and he did not move
during several minutes, keeping his eyes
fastened on me with the steadncss of an
animal.
scarcely breathed.
The rifles and rcvolvers were on the
opposite side of the car If attempted
to get them, he would shoot before |
made two steps. With my blood ting
ling and my ears strained, waited ex-
pcctantly for him to move, resolving to
wait for favorable opportunity to spring
on him.
Probably there were dozen more of
his associates in the passengercars, and
as soon as he had secured his prize they
would be notified, and the passengers
robbed. There was enough gold and
silver in bricks in my car to make one
man Independently rich. The small safe
was full of specie amounting to one
hundred thousand dollars worth.
With the thought of my responsibility
came feeling of resolution. l must do
something without hesitation.
The dark eyes glared at me, but the
robber never changed his position. I
could read the meaning of their cold
glitter, and must act if I saved my life.
l pretended to awaken, by making two
or three movements with my hands, and
to my intense relief the cover of the pine
box quickly and quietly dropped to its
place. Without making any hurried
motions, I rubbed my eyes, gaped once
or twice, and slowly rose to my feet.
"Wel, WE'LL" said, aloud, 'Ive been
asleep"
Then proceeded to rummage around
the car as if nothing had happened, but
my nerves were not relaxed an instant.
Before they had gone five miles farther
had some nails in my pocket, and a care
less glance showed me hole in the side
of the box through which the robber was
undoubtedly watching every movement
| made.
did not go near the revolvers or rifles
1t would have taken but a second fol
him to have raised the lid and shot me-
and I knew he would do so if | ap
preached them. Instead Of that l care
5 lessly assorted pile of express matte
: near the box, with view to what l wa
about to do,
l was terribly excited, though I triet
: to appear cool. When | was all ready
| I threw several heavy packages on th'
= lid, sat down on the box, and hastil,
n nailed down the lid heard nois
4 within, and felt pressure as my prisone
cndeavored to raise the lid. The weigh
l was too great, and soon had all the nail
Y driven in to hold him fast He wa
t secured, but to make sure of him | sur
/ rounded the box with heavy bundles
P and piled upon it the heaviest boxes tn
y Car contained.
i sat down for a minute to recover my
e self; then taking down rife, / cocke'
it loud enough for him to hear
u GLOW many more are there aboard tn
/ train2" I asked, placing my mouth to
y crack between the bricks
$ In reply | heard muff1ed sound re
y sembling curse, and as all the hole
| through which he might shoot were GOV
J cred with gold and silver, put nj
g mouth nearer and asked the questio
% again.
/ l received no reply, and going to tn
y end of the car, quietly opened the doc
y leading to the platform. The night a
"a rushed in, and the noise of the train cam
e with it, making din in my ears. W
lie were running at high rate of spec
y around the hills that abound in thi
region.
e. stepped to the platform of the ne'
&c car. 1t was smoking-car. The trail
t. robbers were already at work. Two mel
1e in the forward end, within five feet
in me, commanded view of every passel
lie ger with their levelled revolvers, and tw
le more were going down the aisle for IL
III valuables.
rs 1t was terrible moment to me. fe
at keen sympathy for the passenger
whose terror stricken faces | could see
~ the dim light from the lamps, but W
ne helpless: doubtless q similar scene w