Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-07-26
PLAYING WITH FIRE.

the true stuff i'll You, will give you :.
better position in time If not, | shall
wash my hands Of you, and you will re-
ccivc no more employment; from this
company"
lie looked after Bcvan somewhat re-
grctfully, as the great, handsome fellow
went out. Superintendent Clarke was
inclined to like him; but Bcyan's conduc;
made it impossible to show him much
favor.
4 week later Bcvan went down to
Henderson and opened thc little tcc-
graph Office over which he was TO BE- sole
manager for-how long!
Tclegraphy was more OF curiosity
then than ii is now, and he found him
self regarded rs Il sort OF lion by the pco-
pie there. He tried hard to be steady
and sober, and really succeeded very
well. He struck mp an acquaintance with
the station agent, who was II steady, thor
ough- going young fellow and an cxccIcn:
companion. He was greatly taken with
the mysteries OF telcgrapiy and very
much to his delight Bcvan offered to
teach him and had soon transformed him
into tolcrablc ''plug."
One evening about two weeks after
Bevan had been in possession OF the Hen
dcrSon Office he was attracted to The
sonndcr 10y hearing ltichport, The largest
city on the line, thirty mile, above Hen
dcrson. calling furiouSly. The big fellow
walked lcisurcly back to the table and
answered in his Slow, drawing fashion,
winch always set the other operators along
the line nearly distracted. lie was re-
wardcd by the following:
ToJ. H. Cioudc, President Henderson Bunk:
The bullion las arrived no YOU wish it,
sent bJ mix train Tonight ! shall not scnd
1t unless receive direct orders at once
WILLIAM KLEIN, Cashier R Bank
He copied the message, incloscL il in
an envelope, directed il in his round. bold
hand. and called Ia the messenger. who
was in the outer room.
''Bc sure and get an answer, William, =
he said.
Faith, I will, " William replied.
hcvan followed him to door. The moon
had gone down and il had CROWN very
lark. The station was about a mile from
the village, and he could just SEC the
lights OF the nearest house in the distance.
In half an hour William returned.
"I'ather = lonely walk, WILL" Bcvan
remarked.
Yes, sir. came bacl, across the
fields, and 80 shortened it,"
Which in all probability saved his life.
Bcyan tore the envelope continuing the
answer open and read il.
"Iou can go home nov, my boy" he
said.
:. The message read:
To William Klein, Cashier, Riciipnn Raai;.
No; do not SEMI the bullion toni. hi.
will give YOU further orders Tomorrow rs 10
its disposition
j. r. CLAUDE President Henderson Bank.
lie had checked the message and,
standing by the table had stretched out
ms hand toward the key to call Richport,
when an arm WAS thrown roughly around
him, pinning his hands to his sides. and
he felt the pressure of cold steel on his
temple.
: Move, shout or speak but a single
word, and | will blow Your brains ont. :"
said Il harsh. determined voice in il low
tone.
hcvan WIS as brave, perhaps, rs most
men, yet he was thoroughly frightened
ScaTcO almost 10 death.
lie could hear the muiiicd tramp Of
men in the office One of them blew ont
the Kerosene lamp and turned dark
lantern 50 that it shonc directly in
Bcvan's eyes, almost binding him. An
other man. low in stature, thick set,
with long black beard and black
mask over the upper part of his face,
placed himself directly in front of Bcvan
and produced pair OF handcuis, which
he secured upon his wrists. His arms
were then released by the man who had
led them. lie, with the beard, who
seemed 10 be the leader, thea by the light
OF the lantern hunted over the table un-
til he found the message, which he read
and carefully placed in his breast pocket.
"Yoa are sure this telegram has not
been scnt.' he said, addressing another of
the men.
81 know it has not, " was the answer.
Gle was just getting ready 10 send il
when we entered"
Every good. Now" he continued
turning to the white, horror-strickc,
operator, II want you TO understand that
we are going to secure the treasure which
was to have been sent down from Rich
port tonight, and you will help us. Il
you have any objections this little per
suader will silence them" As he spok,
he tapped the butt end of revolver sig
niiicantly, which projected from his
pocket.
lie then took up pencil and pro.
ceeded to write out n message ON sor
sheet. While he was thus employe,
Bevan took occasion to glance around
There were eight men in the room. all Of
whom wore masks similar TO that wor,
by their chief. lie could just make on
their forms in the dim light. A hand
dropped upon his shoulder showed hin
that even the turning of his head hat
been observed
"'rhcre," the leader said, "you vii
send that instead OF the other message"
lie held the blank up before Bcvan. 7
rcad
10 William Klein, Cashier. Richpo,l Bon1
Yes, send the bullion by the milk train to
night without fail. My cashier with p1,ar,
VIII be at the station to receive it.
D. Il. CLAUDE, President.
Bevan looked down ot his mano.Io,