The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-09


face, which was broad at the bottom,
receded until his chin was lost in his
throat
"How'd do?"
He advanced in q heavy, numbering
manner and seated himself few feet
from me. l returned his salutation.
In reply made some commonplace
remark about the weather.
Dunno" he rejoined. "a stranger
here | am"
Turning his long and melancholy
countenance in my direction, he fixed
his coal-black eyes on mine as if await
ing further speech.
"Ahl" said, beginning to feel tri-
fle uneasy.
"You'm stranger, he grunted.
dyes"
"Humph! Thought sou
He relapsed into silence. He finally
shook himself, then attempted further
speech.
"Goin' fur?"
"To Chicago"
"What might you be doin' thar"
Business"
] replied curtly, because l was not
accustomed to make known affairs
to chance acquaintance.
"No 'fense-no Tense. Thought you
might DE goin on visit" I"
He turned his black eyes on me
again. Here was something wrong
had made a discovery. Those keen,
flashing black eyes didn't belong to
that stolid face. The estranger' boots
were large and coarse, but the hands,
though rough and dirt-stained. We're
small and shapely.
Here was q disguise, and forno good
purpose.
In my disappointment caused by
the trains delay, | had momentarily
forgotten the sum of money which I
carried. | involuntarily thrust my
hand under my waist-coat, where in
n secret pocket was stored my wallet.
The strangers keen eyes We're bent on
me just then, and | confusedly FUN
| bled my watch as if that was the chief
object OF my solicitude Fifteen hun
dred dollars was not an uncommonly
large sum. But now exposed as was,
at that late hour ii caused me uneasi-
| ness
These not very pleasant reflections
were disturbed by the entrance OF two
Others, who like myself were bound to
| Chicago, and anxious, as | inferred
from their conversation with the
| ticket agent, to make a connection at
that point with a train going east.
They were well dressed and carried
satchels. After purchasing tickets, they
expressed ito each other their dis
appointment on finding the train be-
hind time. AS they turned to me, l
observed that they glanced suspicious
ly at my companion, who had not
yet taken notice Of them. Apparent
ly they disliked his looks as much as
| did. When they were seated they
addressed me, and we engaged in
agreeable conversation. From their
speech, their attire and manner,
knew them to be gentlemen.
AT last, near midnight, whistle
sounded and q moment later the ex-
press halted at the station. AS
threw my overcoat over my arm and
picked up my travelling case, l OBJ
served the first conner to be. taking a
nap. l was about to awaken him,
feeling that my former suspicious were
due to nervousness, and feeling that,
like myself, he might miss great deal
by missing the train, when / fancied
his eyes to be but partly closed. This
discovery rather staggered me. 1t
made me excessively nervous. | hur-
ried on with my two friends-feeline
at every step as if the euncouthstrange
were in pursuit OF me. We were the
sole passengers in the coach, and had
seated ourselves comfortab bly,, when in
walked the object OF my suspicious.
He took a seat some distance in our
rear, but on the opposite side, so that
! could not watch him without his
knowledge. By this time I felt SO un-
asy that | gladly accepted my fellow
eraveers invitation to pass the time
twith a game OF euchre. When the con-
ductor entered we were deeply engr oss-
ed in our game,-so deeply that we did
not at first observe what was taking
place behind us. The stranger had
fallen asleep-this time in earnest for
the conductor had to shake him rough
ly to rouse him. When he did so he
experienced the added difficulty of OBJ
tanning his ticket. His passenger was
disposed to be contrary, but finally
handed paper to him which he read
in dazed way. After a glance at his
passenger, he went on and we resumed
our game, which through the small
bets made, became rather absorbing.
Luckily received a hand on which |
was willing, if there was need, to place
any amount. To my surprise and III.
dignation, just then, along stalked the
stranger who, in passing, awkwardly
stumbled against me, knocking my
cards to the floor. He passed on with
out so much as an apology for his
rudeness. He had no sooner passed,
than involuntarily placed my hand
to my breast.
My wallet was gone!
Gentlemen | exclaimed excitedly,
"I've been robbed! That rascal has
my money. Help me to arrest him."
Hold on" replied one of my com
panlons, ''Let me call the conductor
''Halt!"
The stranger shouted this as he
faced us with q revolver in each hand.
My companions, both cowed, sank
into their seats.
At this juncture.. the strangers ac-
complies entered-two at each end of
the car, and advanced with drawn
weapons.
j gave myself up for lost. Stepping
forward, the stranger, taking no no.
tice OF me, ordered my companions to
hold up their hands. They didso and
were both handcuffed in a twinkling.
The Jesse James style, certainly, l
thought.
'Aha!" CALCULATED the leader of the
gang. We've got you fast, my beau
ties"
Taking my companion, the gang