The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-21


number of passengers at the first station
L took my scat again, and opened q
box of candy with which l had provided
myself, when was again startled by the
loud tones behind me.
81 tell yer l won't have so many in it.
The more there is in job, the likelier
1t is to be found out, and tho more there
is to be grabbin' fur the swag. The
fewer the better, / say, whether you're
goin' to do one man or railroad train.
"Well, don't yell So" demonstrated
the other.
"What's the difference? Who's goin
to hear?" the first speaker went on, in
the same loud tone and with abundant
oaths, 81 get enough of whisperin', SC
l like to speak out when / git the
chance. don't want to forgit the sound
of my own voice"
81 like to be on the safe side," was
the cautious answer.
"You don't s'pose that deef girl is
goin' to split on u.s. do YEP"
Somebody might put job up on u.s. y
"Tll soon find out if she can hear,
growled the louder voice.
o, how l was beginning to repent my
foolish act; the love of the fun that had
brought me into this terrible situation.
i dared not turn my head to SEQ what
the rutfian was about to do, for J was
sure every drop of blood had left my
face.
l could hear the man leave his seat
and come into the one directly behind
me. | fancicd l could feel his breath
upon my neck, and the thought made
my flesh creep. What would he do?
Would he dare touch me? A thousand
fears flashed through my brain like
lightning. Should l rush out of the car
in search of the conductor? Should 1
scream and pull the rope?
In spite of all my terror, one thought
clung to me above all others; that if pos
sible, L must hold every nerve under
iron control, and not betray myself; for
the little l had heard, would surely
make the men dangerous companions
for woman travelling alone.
All this went through my mind much
quicker than / have written it. The
window behind me was opened. pulled
my veil more closely about my face, and
leaned my head against the casing, for l
was too much unstrung to sit upright. l
clenched my hands, bit my lips, and
closed my eyes. Suddenly there was
sharp report of pistol and an unearth-
ly yell almost in my very ear. believe
! was too paralyzed with terror to move
a muscle.
A brakeman opened the door.
tWbnt's IN hnrpO' bn Ghnnta6
'Only shoot'n' at jack rabbit" was
the ready lie, with which he was an
swered.
l still leaned against the side of the
car, faint and weak. My tormentor COM
menced to talk as soon as the brakeman
closed the door.
"She's safe enough! That yell would
have raised man dead week. Give US
your plans and let's settle up"
Then began an earnest discussion.
After the first few sentences my fears
were forgotten.
The course of the road changing, the
sun became somewhat annoying where
| sat; in the most commonplace manner
possible | changed my seat SO that l
faced the speakers. did this for the
deliberate purpose of praGticing the
mean trait of evesdropping.
81 b'lieve / could do the whole train
alone" the loudest villain said.
He took an enormous bite from plug
of tobacco, and generously offered the
to his companion.
Several of the latter's front teeth were
gone, and he gnawed and pulled in
vicious way to get his share, but was
finally obliged TO take out his knife,
with which he took off liberal slice.
Then followed a well laid plan to rob
5he Overland train few miles out of
Redfield, lonely little station, few
hours ride beyond the city. One of their
would meet them at the
city where the Overland stopped for an
hour, and one was already aboard the
threatened train, to take observations,
and would report to the others at their
meeting place.
Before we reached the next station
heir conference came to an end.
Every things settled so fur, NUNS
he word now," the loud man said, as
We drew near the station:
"Ies! it's settled as far as your wick
edness can settle it," l thought; "but
here may be a higher power that will
overthrow your plans"
My great desire now was to secure an
interview with the conductor, for
,ould do nothing alone. When he came
n smiled in my most captivating man
Ter, and motioned him to seat, oppo- |
ute me, however, and with his back to |
he conspirators. | was afraid his |
would betray his surprise
vt the revelation was about to make.
He seated himself, and / wrote |
lastily:
Take me some place where / may
peak with you alone. l have something
# the utmost Importance to tell YOU"
The jolting of the train made the
words well nigh illegible, but 1 was
'ery impatient at the length of time he
'uzzled over them.
was about to snatch the paper away
md explain more fully, when he raised
lis eyes with look which brought the
Hood to my face.
| took the tablet from him rather ur-
,ently and wrote again:
"Withhold your unmanly suspicious
Intil you hear what have to say. Make
laste! and do as | wish before we reach
he next station" for knew it would
'e necessary to use the telegraph there.
He still looked puzzled and somewhat
shamed, and wrote briefly:
"Come into the parlor car and We can
"a alone"