The Russellville Democrat., 1889-02-28

my hands. l spent much cf It shoot ing chickens with Charley--he was an excellent shet from the saddle. though he told me he had time of it training l hts pony to stand fire--and the rest of l the time l either read or rode out over the trails in the delicious Indian sum- mer weather.
 One night, about the middle of Oc- tober, we had a terrific thunder and | wind storm, with a blinding fall of rain | and hail It came up after the west bound train had left, and about an hour before the eastern train was due. l was awakened by the noise, and got up to look out. The rain was falling in l torrents, and the wind shook the build ing, while the lightning flashed inces- | sanity.
 was still looking out, watching the | furious storm, when an unusually bright flash revealed for an instant the figures of group of horsemen loping across l the prairie toward the station. l stood still to catch another glimpse of them, if possible, but without success; they had probably turned of to the left Shortly afterward 1 heard them at 1 the other end of the building, where they stopped, l supposed, to seek | shelter from the storm; or possibly they were going to take the train. It was not unusual for passengers to come around an hour before train time, so l l thought little of it at the time. However, before left the window, heard them tramping around the plat form to the door, and drawing back to one side, I waited to see them pass. Between trains I always kept lamp burning, but turned down low, and it shone out now through the window; and as the men stepped into the faint bar of light, l got quite distinct view of them.
 They were all heavily built. Each one wore yellow 'slicker" coat, and had his slouch hat pulled down close to keep of the rain, and around each one's face, just below the eyes, was tied a red "harvester's" handkerchief. This struck me as unusual, and l was puzzled for moment, until it occurred to me that perhaps they were worn as protection against the hail.
 A moment later they were pounding at the door for admittanee. Now, as a rule, 1 did not like to admit any one so long before train-time. I some- times had express money packages on hand, with no safe to put them in. once carried q package of two thou sand dollars in my pocket three days before the owner called for it, and so was somewhat apprehensive at times for my safety.
 That night, however, I had only a few dollars of my own and an almost empty mail-pouch, but before opening the door, I sang out: Who's there, and what do you wantp"
 Passengers for the train" came the answer. We're all wet, an wanter get in out O the rain
 1 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 mo- ment was startled, and made hasty l step toward the ticket-office. Before l could take another, however. one of the men struck me with his fist, and | though the blow was not hard one, 1t was SO unexpected that it knocked me completely off my feet. Then two of them seized me while l 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, ''we aint | 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 I office and it's surroundings, and proba- ply had been there before. Two of | them picked me up and carried me 1 toward the freight-room, while another l 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 a pill low, and bidding me keep mum" re- | turned tO the waitinp-room
 Thus left alone in the dark. began to think and pretty fast, too, for was thoroughly excited.
 | Their scheme was evident enough to waylay the train there and rob the express and mail-cars. The express messenger always had money in his safe on the east run, and not infre- quently gold bullion from the mines further west, so in case they were suc- cessful they would secure large sum- There had been several like attempts throughout the country lately, and l felt sure that this was their object.
 By taking the train-men by surprise they might easily overpower them, then separating the mail and express cars from the rest of the train, run them a mile or two further east with the engine and plumber them at their leisure, This plan had been success | fully carried out on another road short time before, and there was no reason why it should not be again sue cessful-unless, in some manner, I could prevent it.
 l tried to loosen my hands, but they were tied too securely-so tightly that the cords almost cut the flesh. Then 1 reflected that even if l were loose, should be unable to get out and flag the train, for both freight-doors were padIocked and the key was in the