The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-11-07
Written for the MONITOR.
OUTWITTED.
BY CARL A. LUDWIG

| htotC Va ANdiioao, 10 well POphlaOCt duu.
regret to say, has its full share of rogues-
yes, rogues; for no other word in the Eng
fish vocabulary will express as well the
meaning | wish to show forth. And
think that when you have finished my mar
rative (if you deem it worthy of your peru
sal) you will coincide with me in this par
ticular.
The railroad station was situated amidst
fields about mile from the town, and, as
is usual an express Office was attached to
it.
The Kansas City Express Company in
fact, not only occupied a portion of the
same building as the B. and A. Railroad
Company, but also used portion of the
Company's safe.
/ am telegraph Operator-or was at the
time of my story-and had come in the
month of September to take the position of
station agent in Warrington.
The city of c., from which | came,
was five miles from Warrington, directly
on the line of the railroad
Soon after taking up my abode in the
town, one of my fellow boarders said to
me, "Ranton, should feel complimented
if you would accompany me to party, this
evening Bon ton, and good time, you
know
Ny leisure time was limited, as Tuesday
evening was the only one in the week on
which the 10. 80 Accommodation traind did not
run, and even on that evening was obliged
to be at the station until nine o'clock in Or
der to report through express" so l
replied:
Il thank you you, Mr.. Benedict, but l
shall be engaged at the station until nine
this evening""
s'Oh, that need make no difference; Davis
and Arnold can't get away from the store
until after eight, and we can all come
around for You at quarter of nine as wellas
not. That will be plenty early enough, at
any rate
Davis and Arnold were two of ten or
twelve others who boarded at the same
house with Benedict and |.
81 am greatly obliged to you for your
kindness; but | have never entered into
Warrington society, and am not at all &C
quainted."
$50 much more reason why you should
become acquainted Immediately" said he,
clapping me ON the shoulder, in friendly
manner; well show you pleasant even
ing's enjoyment.
In vain pleaded different excuses, but
the three, who had now joined their en-
treaties would accept none. and | finally
yielded, though rather reluctantly.
Accordingly, at the appointed time, the
gentlemen called at the station, and l hur-
riedly closed, and brisk walk soon
brought us to the scene of gaiety.
I, with the rest, enjoyed the evening
very much, and returned in the ''wee sma'
hours" much pleased with my new found
friends; for, although | was introduced
the first day that / came to tie boarding
house, had never associated with either
of them.
From this evening, wc-that is, Bene
diet, Davis, Arnold, and myself-became
fast friends; and on ''my night off, We
always spent the evening together. First
to see play by some travelling company,
or drive, or game of euchre, and aquiet
smoke, and always good time.
u Il
1t was the night of the 18th of December,
and dark, stormy night it was. The
40. 30" had been gone an hour, but was
still busily engaged with the books, and
cogitating upon my solitary walk home
Davis usually came up to the station to
walk up with me, when worked late, but
he had gone to c. in the afternoon, on
business for the firm by which he was en-
ployed), when was startled from my mus
ings by hearing the sounds of footsteps out
side on the platform.
Knowing Davis to be out of town, was
surprised at hearing the sounds, for no one
could have any business to transact at this
hour; and in a moment two masked men
entered, and l was sitting under cover of
two shining revolyers.
''Not word above an ordinary tone, or
you pay for it with your lfe!' said one, by
way Of an Introductory remark.
was powerless to resist when the cold
muzzle of the revolvers were so dangerous
ly near my head; So half stupefed with
surprise, ventured to ask:
''What do you come here for at this time
in the night, and why do you come two
armed to one unarmed and defenceless !?
In honor demand you to leave immedi-
ately."
"Ha. har muttered one of the ruffians;
81 guess we don't trouble ourselves much
about the honor of the thing; what we're
after is the Doodle"
'sThe what ?" asked.
THE boodle-the spondulacs, he an
swered.
'.See here, pardner, chimed in the other,
seeing that failed to grasp the first speak
er's meaning, I'VE come here after the cash
and what other valuables there is in that
safe yonder, and we amt goin' to leave
here till we git it,.
This information received, Immediately
| resolved on my course of action, and quick
| Nv picking the key of the safe from the