Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-06-19

Look here, Bevan," said Superin-
tendent Clarke. 81 will give you just
one more chance. / am going to send
you down to Henderson. If you be-
have yourself there, and show that you
have any of the true stuff in you. will
give you a better position in time. If
not, | shall wash my hands of you, and
you will receive no more employment
from this company"
He looked after Bevan some W hat re
gretfully, as the great, handsome fellow
went out. Superintendent Clarke was
inclined to like him; but Bevan's con-
duct made it impossible to show him
much favor.
A week later Bevan went down to
Henderson and opened the little tele-
graph Office over which be was to be
sole manager for--how long?
Telegraphy was more of curiosity
then than it is now. and he found him
self regarded as sort of lion by the
people there. He tried hard to be
steady and sober, and really succeeded
very we'll. He struck up an acGualnt-
ance with the station agent, who was a
steady, thorough-going young fellow
and an excellent companion. He was
greatly taken with the mysteries of
telegraphy, and very much to his de-
light Bevan offered to teach him and
had soon transformed him into a toler-
able plug"
One evening about two weeks after
Bevan had been in possession of the
Henderson office he was attracted to
the sounder by hearing Richport, the
largest city on the line. thirty miles
above Henderson, calling furiously.
The big fellow walked leisurely back to
the table and answered in his slow.
drawing fashion. which always set the
other operators along the line nearly dis
tracted. He was rewarded by the fol-
lowing:
To j. r Claude, President Henderson Bank:
The bullion has arrived Do you wish it sent
by milk train tonight? shall not send it unless
11eceive direct orders at once.
WILLIAM KLEIN. Cashier R Bank.
He copied the message, enclosed it in
an envelope, directed it in his round,
bold hand. and called to the messenger,
who was in the outer room.
"Be sure and get an answer, Will
iam," he said.
Faith, will, /" William replied.
Bevan followed him to the door.
The moon had gone down and it had
grown very dark. The station was
about a mile from the village. and he
could just see the lights of the nearest
house in the distance.
In half an hour William returned.
Rather a lonely walk, WILL" Bevan
remarked.
"Yes, sir. | came back across the
fields, and so shortened it."
Which in all probability saved his
life.
Bevan tore the envelope containing
the answer open and read it.
You can 60 home now, my boy" he
said
The message read:
To Wiltiam Klein, Cashier Richport Bank:
No; do not send the bullion tonight. l will
give further orders tomorrow as to its DISPOSE
]. R. CLAUDE, President Henderson Bank.
He had checked the message, and
standing by the table, had stretched
out his hand toward the key to call
Richport, when an arm was thrown
roughly around him, plnnlng his hands
to his sides, ane ne felt the pressure o.
cold steel on bis temple.
"Move, shout or speak but single
word, and I will blow your brains out, .
said harsh, determined voice in a low
tone.
Bevan was as brave, perhaps, as most
men, yet he was thoroughly frightened
scared almost TO QoaLn.
He could hear the muff1ed tramp Of
men in the Office. One of them blew
out the kerosene lamp and turned 9
dark lantern so that it shown directly
in Bevan's eyes, almost binding him
Another man, low in stature, thick set,
with long black beard and a black
mask over the upper part Of his face
placed himself directly in front of Be-
van and produced a pair of handouts
which he secured upon his wrists. Hi;
arms we're then released by the man
who held them. He with the beard
who seemed to be the leader, then by
che light of the lantern hunted over the
table until he found the message, which
he read and carefully placed in his
breast pocket.
"You are sure this telegram has not
been sent ?" he said, addressing anoth.
er of the men.
81 know it has not,' was the answer
He was just getting ready to send il
when we entered"
Every good. Now" he continued
turning to the white, horror-stricker
operator. ct want you to understand
that we are going to secure the
treasure which Was to have been sent
down from Richport tonight, and yov
will help us. If you have any objec
tons this little persuader will silence
them" As he spoke he tapped the
butt of the revolver significantly, which
projected from his pocket.
f'He then took up a pencil and pro
ceeded TO write out message on sof
sheet. While he was thus empoveO
Bevan took occasion to glance around
There were eight men ID the room, al
of whom wore masks similar to thai
worn by their chief He 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.
There" the leader said. ssyou vii
send that instead Of the other mes
sage"