The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-21
TRAIN ROBBERS.
How I Played the Role of Deaf
Mute With Startling Success.

Goodbye, Connie. BE sure you write
as soon as ever you get there. | don't half
like tho idea fyour going away alone. |
shall have the horrors until hear that
you have not been kidnapped or muir
dered.''
My friend Rugged and kissed me, and
finally let me go with great unwilling
ness.
/ had been spending few days with
an old schoolmate in the pretty little
town of G--, on my way from Michigan
to California. Her husband had been
called away in the morning on urgent
business. The latest baby was scream
ing with cramps or some infantile all
ment, and there was no one to go with
me to the depot, or give me what she
considered proper send Off
returned her kisses and good-byes,
not at all put out; being a rather indie
pendent young lady in tho first place,
and having very little need for an escort
anyway. 1 had purchased through
ticket, and my trunk was checked to my
destination. as l had not considered it
necessary to have it with me on so short
visit.
My friend lived on a branch road, and
/ had several hours ride before reached
the city where l would meet the Over
land.
l arrived at the little station just as
the train came in. | was greatly sur
prised at the approach of the station
agent, who stood on the platform outside.
'Hello here's my little deaf and dumb
beauty!' he exclaimed, and put out his
hand in a respectfully friendly manner.
He seemed to be addressing two men
who stood near; one rather tall, good
looking man, with clustering voice,
and the other a small, sly, mean-looking
fellow.
'She goes down on pass every few
MONTHS" the agent added.
Amusement held me quiet at first.
AS tho case of mistaken identity came
to me more clearly, my fun-loving dis
position came to my aid, and | de-
termined to carry on the farce, for the
amusement there might be in it. So |
smiled and bowed in a cordial way.
He accompanied me to the car, and
waving aside the brakeman, who stood
ready to help me in, assisted me up the
steps himself, as if my supposed in
trinity had taken away my powers of
locomotion.
The two men who were standing on
the platform, followed.
Here's a nice little deaf mute,
Charlie" he said to the conductor, as he
tnrned over seat and piled my few
packages in it. 81 don't believe she's
been down since you've had the run.
She's got on some new toys to-day, and
looks uncommonly pretty, but don't you
be making love to her," and he laughed
at his own wit. "She's got little tablet
in her handbag that she writes on
was inwardly thankful for this hint,
and glad that 1 had my tablet on which
/ had taken notes of my journey, to fill
out into letters to the friends at home.
kept my eyes discreetly lowered,
fearing that L should not be able to keep
my countenance and carry on the com
edy, and took my seat on the shady side
near the center of the car.
The two men were sitting behind me.
Arranging myself comfortably l took a
survey of the occupants of the Car. One
side, where the sun beat holly in, was
entirely deserted, and the few persons
in front of me were extremely uninter-
esting.
One poor woman was being pulled and
hauled, and otherwise maltreated by her
half-dozen children. The older ones
quarreled and fought and made them
selves generally disagreeable, while the
baby yelled till 1 almost wished my
fictitious deafness had been real. To
my great JOY, the incompetent mother
removed herself and her dreadful chill
dren from the car few stations ahead.
The conductor came in frequently and
we carried on a written conversation,
which was as remarkable for it's pen