The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-09
PLAYING WITH FIRE.

tehaeht Clarke. II WILL give you just
one more chance. am going to scni
you down to Henderson. II you be.
have yourself there, and show tina
you have any OF the true stuff in you
will give you better position i,
time. II not. will wash my hand
OF you. and you will receive no NOR.
employment from this company"
He looked after Bevan somewhat re
gretfully. US the great. handsome fel
low went out Superintendent Clarke
was inclined to like him, but Bevan'.
conduct made it impossible to SHOW
him much favor.
A week later Bevan went down to
Henderson aud opened tho little telc
graph office over which he was to be
sole manager for-how long?
Ielegraphy was more Of curiosit,
then than 1t is now, and he found him
self regarded rs sort OF lion by til.
people there. Hc tried hard to b,
steady and sober. and really succeeded
very we'll. He struck up an acquain
anco with the station agent who was ,
steady, thorough-golng young fellow
and an excellent companion. IIe wa.
greatly taken with the mysteries O
telegraphy. and very much to his de.
light Bevan offered TO teach him anL
had soon transformed him into IL toler.
able "plug."
One evenin. about two ceks nftcl
Bcvan had been in possession of the
Henderson Office hc was attracted to
the sounder by hearins Richport. the
largest city Oh the line. thirty miles
above Henderson. calling flriously.
The big fellow walked lcisurcly back to
the table and answered in his slow,
d1wling fashion, which always set the
other operators along the line nearly
distracted. IIe was rewarded by tho
following:
ToJ. II. ChdMdr, President Henderson Bank.
The bullion has arrived. DO you wish i
sent by milk tram to.nights l shall no
send it unless receive direct orders at once
WILLIAM KLEIN, Casilicr R-Bank
liecoppied the message, enclosed II
In an envelope. directed it in his round
bold hand. and called to the messcn.
ger. who was In the outer room.
"Be sure and get an answer, viii
liam,' he siiid.
"Faith, | WILL" William replied.
Bcvan followed him to the door. The
moon had gone down and 1t had grown
very dark. The station was about u
mile from tho village. aud he could
just SEQ the lights OF tho nearest hous,
in the distance.
In halfan nour William returned.
"Ratller u lonely walk, WILL" Beval
remarked.
"Ycs, sir. came back across tn,
fields and so shortened it,"
Which in all probability saved his
life.
Bcvan tore the envelope containing
the answer open and read 1t.
"YOu can 80 home now, my boy" h,
said.
The message read:
TO William Ki,iM, Cashier Richport Bamk:
No; do not send the bullion tonight.
will give further orders To. morrow ss to IL
disposition.
J. X. CLAUDE, President Henderson Bank
lie had checked the message. and
standing by the table. had stretched
out his hand toward the key to cal
Richport, when an arm WAS thrown
roughly around him. pinning his hands
TO his sides. and he felt the pressure q
cold steel on his temple.
''Move, shout or speak but single
word. and ] will blow your brains out, >
said II harsh, determined voice in low
tone.
Bcvan was MS bravo. perhaps. rs mos
men. yet he was thoroughly frightened
scared almost TO death.
He could hear tho muflled tramp o.
men in the Office. Ono of them blew
out the kerosene lamp and turned q
dark lantern so that it shone directly
In bcvan's eyes. almost binding him
Another man. low IN stature. thick set
with u long black hoard and u black
mask over the upper part of his face.
placed himself directly in front of Be.
van and produced pair Of handouts,
which ho secured upon his wrists. His
arms wore then released by the man
who held them. lie with the beard,
who seemed to be tho leader. then by
tho light Of the lantern hunted over the
table until he found the message. which
he read and carefully placed in hi.
breast pocket.
"YOu are sure this telegram has no,
been scnt?" he said, addressing anoth.
err OF the men.
IL know II has not. was tho answer.
He was just getting ready to send it
when we entered"
Every good. Now" he continued.
turning to the white. horror.stricken
operator. II want you TO understand
that We are going to secure tho treas
urc which was I" have boon sent down
from Kichport tonight, and you will
help us. II you have any objections
this little persuador will silence them. T"
As he spoke no tapped the butt of the
revolver Significantly. which projected
from his pocket.
"lie then took up u pencil and pro-
cecdcd to write out message on Il
soft sheet. While he was thus employ
cd Bevnn took occasion to glance
around. I'here were eight men in the
room, all OF whom wore masks similar
to that worn by their chief. lie could
just make out their. forms In the dim
light. a hand dropped upon his
shoulder showed that even the turning
OF his head had been observed.
"fhcre." the leader said, "you will
send that instead OF the other mes
sage"
lie held the blank up before Bcvan.
1t read:
| To WiHiam Klein, Cashitr Mchport Bank:
Yes; send the bullion by the milk train
tonight without fail. My cashier with 9
guard will be at the station to receive it.
]. Il. CLAUDE, President.
Bevan looked down ut his manuclcd
wrists. The irons were heavy and the
chains connecting tho two rings not
more than three inches long.
II can't send it with these on," he
muttcrcd.