Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-04

moment later they were pounding at the
door for adnittance. Now, as rule, did
not like to admit any one so long before
train time. sometimes had express money
packages on hand, with no safe to put them
In. / once carried a package of $4,000 in my
pocket three days before the owner called for
it, and 80 / was somewhat apprehensive at
times for my safety
That night, however, 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. We're all wet, an wanter get tn 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 pretty good one at that-that for
moment l was startled, and made hasty
step toward the ticket office. Before I
could take another, however, one Of the men
struck me with his fist, and though the blow
was not a 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, 1--WE 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'n 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 In the dark, began to
think and pretty fast, too, for I was thor
oughly excited.
Their scheme was evident enough-to way
lay the tYain there and rob the express and
mail cars. The express messenger always
had money in the safe on the east run, and
not infrequently gold bullion from the mines
further west, so, in case they were successful,
they would secure a large sum. There had
been several like attempts throughout the
country lately, and 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 successfully car
risd out on another road a short time before,
and there was no reason why it should not be
again successful, unless in some manner I
could prevent it.
I tried to loosen my hands, but they were
tied too securely-so tightly that the cords
| almost cut the flesh. Then reflected that
even II were loose, ! should be unable to get
out and flag the train, for both freight doors
we're 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
roughs looked in.
''Say, young Teller, are you alive yetgo he
asked.
yes, responded.
well, we wanter know If there's anything
you've got to do to this here telegraph machine
so they won't suspect nothin'-any report to
maker
This was pretty cool, and for q moment 1
thought might still have an opportunity to
warn the dispatcher, and was on the point of
saying Yes" when another voice cut me
short.
"You let him get his claws on that machine
an he'll have EN- stop the train. Don't be a
fool; come out an shut the door,
The door slammed and once more was left
in the dark.
I was now beginning TO suffer from nv
constrained position and the cutting Of the
cords, so began to cast about me for relief;
and then suddenly remembered a reaper
blade that had been left at the station few
days ago by the express 1t was loose from
the board and had placed it in q corner SO
that no one could be hurt by it accidentally.
Accordingly rolled over and over until my
feet touched the opposite wall, and then sit
ting up with my back toward the corner, /
felt for the blade with my hands
To my great satisfaction found it, got the
cord across one of the teeth and carefully
sawed it back and forth
In moment my hands were free and then
1 loosened my feet. then took of my shoes
This done l was able to move about without
making any noise.
Still was unable to accomplish anything,
for it was impossible to get out, and was ON
the point Of composing myself in my old po-
sition, to avoid another knock down, should
the roughs look In, when a slight 'spiz-z-z,H
followed by bright sparkle, attracted my
attention to the south side Of the room. 1t
was the instrument on the private line, af-
fected by the hghtning-a common occur
renee in all Offices during thunderstorms.
stepped up to 1t quickly and tried the CIR
cult. 1t was all right, though the rain made
such noise on the roof that could hardly
hear the sounder. 1t was not probable that
could get an answer from Charley at that
time of night, but as my only resource it was
worth trying. So l started in, making his
call, "Ch."
"C-h-c-h-c-hl" ratified; and presently,
to my surprise, the circuit was opened and
the response came;
Itch
Then talked" to HMM my excitement
great deal faster than he could take and
he interrupted me with ''slower."
III" said, "call your father
mot home" came the answer; "all hands
gone out to round up bunch of cattle stam-
peded by the storm"
l-i-i-i-ii," l answered, stopping to re-
aect. Then went ahead again:
"Can you ride over to the west cut and sig
nal the train to stopf'
Eyes; what forf'
Get a lantern and put piece of thin red
flannel around it II you can Swing 1t across