Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-04-20
TRAPPED BY TELEGRAPH.

TRAPPED BY TELEGRAPH.
While in small town in Wyoming
Territory, learned that lady living
there had been the heroine of thrill
ing adventure with train robbers, and
curiosity and love for the brave in
duced Inc to call on her to tell me the
story. When | went to her house |
was welcomed by handsome lady of
about thirty, and in response 10 my
earnest request for this one chapter of
her life, she related the following:
In 1873, when but a girl of 1s, | left
my home in Omaha and came out to
fill the lonesome position of night OPP
orator of small station on the Pacific
Railway, in this territory. 1t was
dreary, desolate spot, in the midst of
desert. The only buildings at the sta
ton, aside from the depot, were a sec
ton house, occupied by a track fore
man and few Chinese laborers, wa
ter tank and a coal shed. The day
operator and agent, mere boy, slept
at the section house, 200 yards distant,
so that during the long and dreary
nights | was alone in the depot. No.
4 express train. bound east, was due at
.. Is in the morning but it never stop
ped unless signaled, and as this was
the only train during the latter portion
of the night you can imagine my lone
ly situation upon the desert wild. |
had my books and guitar for compan-
ions. and passed much Of the time in
reading, and when the doleful howl
ings of the wolves were borne TO my
ears from the distant sand hills, |
would pick up my guitar and endeav-
or to drown their cries with music and
song
The Superintendent of the division,
buoyant, light spirited young gen
tleman, came over the road at fire.
quent intervals, and cheered me up
with promises Of better position
when a vacancy should occur. He
often found Inc on the very brink of
despair, almost on the point Of resign
ing my position and returning TO my
humble home and the mother who de-
pended upon my salary for the neces-
saries of life; but his promises, his gen
ial conversation and words of encour-
agement drove away the gloom, and
came to look for his visits with q sense
of the keenest pleasure. | began to
regard him with a .isterly affection,
he was so kind and tender, and so So
licitous for my welfare and comfort
When the baggageman of pass
ing train would throw off a new book
or a roll of music, knew it came from
my kind-hearted superior, and many
dreary hours were made less irksome
through his thoughtfulness for the
lonely girl operator.
One night shortly after midnight,
as sat at my table reading late
novel, thought ] heard a shufiling
footstep on the depot platform, but as
it was not repeated | concluded it was
but wolf more daring than his cow
ardly fellows, and resumed my book.
knocking at the door, which | always
kept locked, and strange feeling
came over. During my several weeks
stay at the station / had never had
visitor. and the sudden knock, so low,
yet so startingly clear in the stiffness
of the night, caused my form TO trem-
BILE and my cheek TO blanch.
My first thought was of Indians,
ahd then reasoned that it might be
some tramp desiring shelter While
sat there in alright, the knock was
repeated, louder than before, and mus
tering all my courage | approached
the door and asked:
Who's there2'
a gruff voice replied:
"A traveller who desires to take the
east-bound train.
1t was my plain and unmistakable
duty to admit him, and with trembling
fingers | drew the bolt.
Instantly the door was pushed vi
olently open. and | sprang back to
the table and sank into my chair in
terror, when seven burly men, wear
ing cloth masks on their faces and
armed TO the teeth. entered the office
One of them, evidently the leader,
walked up to me, and. pointing large
revolver at my head, said i'll low.
firm voice:
Gal, we don't want 10 hurt you, but
if you make a suspicious move, or give
any alarm. or scream, so that any o
the men in the section house kin hear
you, I'll spile the looks o. that purity
face with bullet. Be quiet and SEN
sible and behave yerself and yer shan't
be hurt. Whar's the red lampT'
What do you want?''
None o your business. We don't
want TO hear any unnecessary back
talk nor impertinent questions.
Whar's the red lamp
A chill of horror swept over me
when the truth burst upon me that /