The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-21

ny oHc' 1Ho udJ was HoU' "hN oAiO
country through which we were passing
embarrassing.
l was sinking into doze, when sud
denly became wide-awaKe at the sound
of terrible oath behind me. | raised
my head. The seats before me were
empty. Feeling thirsty, went to the
end of the car for drink of water.
Then saw that there was no one in the
Car But myself and the two men who had
come on board with me.
An uncanny feeling crept over me.
Then l reflected that no harm would
come to me, probably, in broad daylight,
with conductor and brakeman passing
through the car constantly, and on a
| road where there were liable to be any
number of passengers at the first station.
| took my scat again, and opened a
box of candy with which had provided
myself, when was again startled by the
| loud tones behind me.
| Il tell yer l won't have so many in it.
The more there is in a job, the likelier
it is to be found out, and the more there
is to be grabbin' fur the swag. The
fewer the better, l say, whether you're
| goin' to do one man or railroad train"
"Well, don't yell So" demonstrated
the other.
whats 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', so
1 like to speak out when 1 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 def girl is
goin' to split on us, do YEP"
Somebody might put job up on u.s."
| 'I'll soon find out if she can hear"
growled the louder voice.
| o, how | was beginning to repent my
foolish act; the love of the fun that had
| brought me into this terrible situation.
dared not turn my head to see what
| the rutfian was about to do, for l was
sure every drop of blood had left my
| face.
| could hear the man leave his seat
| and come into the one directly behind
me. l fancied I 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
chung to me above all others; that if pos
sible, | 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 l 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 a pistol and an unearth-
ly yell almost in my very ear. l believe
was too paralyzed with terror to move
a muscle.
brakeman opened the door.
whats up here?" he shouted.
"Only shoot'n' at jack rabbit" was
the ready lie, with which he was an
swered.
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 a 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 l changed my seat so that
faced the speakers. l did this for the
deliberate purpose of practicing the
mean trait of evesdropping.
Il b'lieve l could do the whole train
alone" the loudcst villain said.
He took an enormous bite from plug
of tobacco, and generously offered the
remainder to his companion.
Several of the latters front teeth were
gone, and he gnawed and pulled in a
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 we'll laid plan to rob
the Overland train few miles out of
Redfield, lonely little station, a few
hours ride beyond the city. One of their
confederates 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
their conference came to an end.
every things settled so fur, NUNS
the word now" the loud man said, as
we drew near the station:
eyes! it's settled as far as your wick
edness can settle it," 1 thought; ''but
there may be higher power that will
overthrow your plans"
My great desire now was to secure an
interview with the conductor, for
could do nothing alone. When he came
in smiled in my most captivating man.
ner, and motioned him to seat, oppo-
site me, however, and with his back to
the conSpirators. l was afraid his
countenance would betray his surprise