The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-04-12
ssction arains. tho hall.

y
pocket three days before the owner called for
it, snd so was somewhat apprehensive at
times for my safety.
That night, however, l had only few dol
lars of my own and an almost empty mail
pouch, but before opening the door, sang
out, who's there and what do you wantf'
Passengers for the train," came the an
swer. Were all wet, an wanter get In out
o. the rain
unlocked the door and they crowded into
the room. In the brighter light indoors the
handkerchiefs that concealed their faces
looked SO much like an attempt at disguise
and a pretty good one at that--that for a
moment was startled, and made hasty
step toward the ticket office. Before
could take another however, one of the men
struck me with his fist, and though the blow
was not hard one it was so unexpected that
it knocked me completely off my feet Then
two Of them seized me while was down,
turned me on my face and held me- while
the others bound my hands firmly behind
me. They next bound my feet, and then
rolled me over again on my back.
Now, my chicken, said one, who appeared
TO be the leader, I'VE amt got nothin' agin
you an won't hurt you as long as you keep
quiet; but sure as you yell or make a noise,
there'll be some shootin'."
They seemed to be familiar with the office
and its surroundings and probably had been
there before Two of them picked me up and
carried me toward the freight room, while
another went ahead with the lamp and opened
the door. Here they looked around FOR
moment, then laid me down against the SIDE
OF the building, with an old coat under my
head for pillow, and, bidding me keep
mum, returned to the waiting room
Thus left alone III the dark, began 10
think and pretty fast, too, for was thor
oughly excited
Their scheme was evident enough--to way
lay the train there and rob the express and
mail cars, The express messenger always
had money In the safe on the east rum and
not infrequentiy gold bullion from 'he mines
further west, so, IN case they were successfui,
they would secure large sum. lhere had
been several Ike attempts throughout the
country lately, and felt sure that TINS was
their op1ect.
by taxing the train men py surprise they
might easily oVerpower tnem' then separating
the mail and express cars from tne rest Oh 'he
tran, run them mile OF Two iureher east
with the engine and plunder tnem AT tneir
leisure ms plan had oeen successfully car
ried ouo on ahother roaa SNORT 'ihie oeiore'
ana tnere was no reason why IL shouiu noe 10
again successful unless In some manner
could prevent IT,
tried 10 loosen my nands' pu' 'ney were
tled TOO secureiy-so ugntiy Una. .ne corus
amos. cu' 'he -neSh, ihei ! rehec'ed Una.
out and nag the train, for both freight doors
were padlocked and the KEY was in the ticket
office drawer.
About this time the door leading to the
waiting room was opened and one of the
rourhs looked in.
Say, young feller, are you alive yet y he
asked
..X-., ~ ro,,,o,,dd
"Weu. we wanter know II there's ANYTHING
vou'ye cot TO doto this here telegram machine
SO they won't suspect nothin'--any report to
maker
This wos prattv coo, and for n momsnt 7
thougbt 7 migbt still have an onnortpnitv n
warn the disnatcber and was on the noint of
saving "Yesn when another voice cut me
short
oYou let him get his claws ON that machine
an, he'll have 'em stop the train Don't be a
fool. coma ont an, shut the doorn
The door slammed md once more wssleft
in the dark
was now beoinnipo to suffer from nv
constrained position mud the cutting Of the
cords 60 be,.n to cast about ma for r.,iof
and then suddenlv 7 remembered n resne,
blade that had been left at the station a fe,
davs AGO bv the EXPRESS II was loose from
the hoard and had nlaced II in a corner s(
that no one could he hurt nv II accidepta,Iy
Accordingly ROLLED ove, and ,va,. urtiI mv
! feet touched the opposite wall and then sit.
tino nm with nv hack toward the CORNER
felt for the blade with NV hands.
To INV great satisfaction I found it got tn.
cord across one of the teeth and caretnllx
sawed it back and forth.
In a moment nv hands were free and ther
loosened my feet. then took off nv shoes
This done was able to move about witbou,
making any noise.
stin was unable to accomplish ANYTHING
for it was impossible to get out, and was OF
the point Of composing myself In nv old DO
sition. to avoid another knock down. shonlf