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

,ne city (which was fortunately the
county-seat) where we were to meet the
Overland. He was to ask the sheriff to
have number of deputies in readiness,
and to give him slight hint of the plot,
advising tho utmost secrecy.
We both agreed that it would be
foolish to arrest the two conspirators,
until there was q sure case against them,
and the whole gang could be secured.
had become as enthusiastic for their
capture as the conductor himself. With
the recovery of the use of my tongue.
my spirits and courage had risen won
derfully.
returned to the other car. A good
many passengers had come in at the last
station, and bore their scrutiny calmly.
My mind was relieved of an awful bur-
den, for felt that had shared the re-
sponsibility with another, stronger and
wiser than myself.
When we reached the city, l left the
car, and went into the lunch-room, Or
doring my lunch by my tablet, for
dared not give up my deception YETI I
might be watched.
L took my place in the Overland, won
dering very much what arrangement the
sheriff was making with the conductor.
Night was coming swiftly on. grew
cold as | reflected what the next few
hours might bring. l dared not stay
away, and l was frightened almost to
death at being there. Knowing myself
that l had betrayed the ruffians, l was
in deadly fear of their finding it out.
Then l laughed at myself for my fool
ishiness. They would never suspect mo
after the cruel test to which had been
put.
Every minute which wore so slowly
away seemed like an hour. / was get
ting too wretched and nervous to sit
quiet another minute, when the train
started. with the ringing Of bells, blow
ing of steam, shouting and running
which accompanies such an event.
l scanned every face near me for a
sign. At last, the conductor entered.
noticed that he scrutinized every fe-
male passenger very closely. When he
reached my seat he threw the rays of his
lantern directly in my face. dared not
speak, but gave him a most imploring
look.
When he returned my ticket, he ap-
parently wrote on the little slip the
usual cabalistic scratching, but in reality
it bore the words:
GAIL right, keep up courage"
1 gave long sigh of relief, sank back
in my seat, and covered my face with
my hands. 1t seemed as if the dreadful
beating of my heart would be heard on
all Sides
/ can not tell how long we rumbled
along in the darkness. l can not iudge
of the time, for to me it seemed an eter-
nifty. Then the speed of the train
slackened and we stopped. Then there
was rush of two or three men (who had
sat near the door,, to the platform, and
saw something shining in their hands.
There was sound of pistol shots, shouts
and curses. l covered more closely in
my seat, with wholesome fear of stray
bullets.
1t was all over in few minutes. The
distractions which the robbers had
placed on the track were removed, and |
we were flying over the rails again.
There was great hubbub and confu-
sion in the car, and questions flew right !
and left. AS usual, the officers were !!
very non-committal, and very few of the |
passengers really knew what had hap
pened.
BY and by, my conductor las 1 have
often called him since), came in and sat
down beside me.
'Are the men caught? Did any get !
away? Was anybody hurt? Tell me! |
quick." 1 exclaimed, all in a breath.
'Yes, they're caught! safely bagged in
handouts and leg-irons. When the |
dumb speak, great things are accom-
plished," he answered, gaily. Then he
added in a sadder voice: "Poor John
son, brakeman, was shot dead. 1t will
be sad news for the poor wife and little
ones. Don't you want to see them? Come
and look at the pretty birds you helped
to cage"
For the second time followed him,
and he led me to the car where the rob-
bers were confined.
L glanced rapidly over tho group.
Where was the man who had lost the
teeth? The man who had gnawed and
torn at the piece of tobacco? The man
whom l felt sure was the worst and
of the lot?
In my excitement l called aloud, and
asked how he had escaped. The loud
talking man recognized me at once.
"Aha," no snarled, raising his mana
cled hands, you're the little divil
we've got to thank fur this. You watch
out. My pal got away easy enough and
he'll make it lively for ye, when he gets
on to who blowed it. Ye'd better be dead
than take what's before ye fur this
nights work"
| paid slight heed to his threat, for
my mind dwolt more on the still figure
Of the brakeman, lying 80 quiet under
The sheet, whose whiteness was blotched
with great spots of his life blood; ON his
stricken wife and helpless children, who
had depended upon his toll for their
laily food.
The men were taken off tho train at
,he next station, and sent back to tho
'ity under a strong guard, and were safe
y locked up in Jail before daybreak.
There had been large reward offered
or the apprehension of the loud talking
nan, who was wanted on charge of
murder.
In spite of my protests the captors de-
Jared that it should be given to me.
The very thought that it was blood
money made the acceptance of it alb
torrent to me.
After good deal of correspondence on
he subject with their conclrrence I