West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-03-07

hands.
To my great satisfaction found it.
got the cord across one Of the teeth, and
carefully sawed II back and forth.
In moment my hands were free. and
then l looscned my feet then took
OF my shoes. This done was able TO
move about without making any noise.
Still l was unable TO accomplish any.
thing for it was impossible 10 GET out.
aud | was on the point Of composing
myself IN my old position, TO avoid an.
other knock down, should the rouVhs
look in, when a slight "spiz-z-z," fol-
lowed by bright sparkle, attra ted my
attention TO the south side OF tic room.
IL was the instrument on the private
line, affected by the lightning com
mon occurrence in all ollil cs during
thunder. r.storms.
stepped up 10 il quickly and tried
the circuit. 1t was all right, though the
rain made such noise on tie roof that
could hsrilS hear tho sounder. II was
not probable that could get an answer
from Charley at that time OF night, but
as my only resource il was worth trying.
So started in, making his call, sch. I"
"C-h-c-h- c.h" ratified and pres
emily, to my surprise, the circuit opened
aud the response came:
"I.i-c. h."
Then l ''talkcd" TO him, lin my ex-
citement n great deal faster than he
could take, aud he interrupted me with
"slOwer."
Iii said, cali your father"
Not home" came the answer; call
hand gone out to round up bunch of
cattle stampeded by the storm"
'f-i--i-i-i-i,' answered. stopping
to reflect Then went ahead again:
Can you ride over TO the west cut
and signal the train to stopp
Yes what ior2'
''Get lantern aud put piece Of thin
red flannel around it ii you can. swing
1t across the track when you see the
headlight aud keep it up til they stop
Tel conductor there are eight men here
waiting TO rob his train. BE quick
about it,"
go. X. BY Georgcp' This last by
way of expressing his SURPRISE / sup.
pose, and then the ticking stopped.
now began to feel that the roughs
would be fOHed, though of course il all
depended on Charley. But it was some
thing that just suited his nature !
could imagine him on his pony. lantern
IN hand, tearing across the prairie as
though band of Comanches was after
him.
Meanwhile, thought it best to take
my old position against the wall, 10
avoid any suspicion, should tho robbeis
grow, in ,uisitive. So lay there and
waited and waited-the time seemed
fairly to drag along felt certain
that the train was due. But IL did not
come, though the movements OF the
roughs convinced me that | had guessed
aright--it was probably a little overdue
by this time aud they were getting rest.
less. Presently one of them opened the
door and looked in.
"Say, operator, is that train on timer
he asked.
"Yes, " IIeplied, 'rhey were on time
the last | heard them reported about
two o'clock"
lie retired again, and for about ten
minutes all was still. Then above the
noise Of the storm a far.away whistle
sounded family. Next there was hur-
rie0 movement in the outer room-the
roughs were crowding out upon the
platform.
sprang to my feet and stood against
the de Of the building next the track,
and by putting my ear against tho
boards | could hear the distant rumble
OF the train, now fast nearing the station
tired 10 imagine where the roughs had
placed themselves. Probably around
the corner Of the building, ready TO rush
out, reyolyers in hand.
he tram was now quite near, and
preseaily it drew up to the station with
rumble and roar and Kissing OF air
brekoS Almost instantly I heard the
shouted command, Hands uDP fos
lowed by the reports Of four Of five re-.
volvers and the sound of scu ling on the
planks, which, however, wa soon ended
and then veritab babel of vol O. and
the noise Of many feet on the platform.
/ dashed out through the waiting room
to see how th ngs had gone aud soon
fOunj the conductor.
',IIallo, Ieith IS that your VIC have
prevented that robbery, this time, thanks
TO your warning. borrowed half q
do en- rcyolyers from the passengers aud
called for volunteers, 50 when we pulled
in there were twelve men on the plat
for ready for business. We've got the
robbers In the baggage car--come along
aud sec 'em"
They were a hard looking set Of mon.
Two OF them lay on the floor wounded,
though not seriously.
About this time Charley made his ap.
pcarance on his crutches, clad only i'm a
pair Of trousers aud a rcd flannel shirt.
ono sleeve OF which he bad torn oil to
draw over the lantern. fle was wet
through. his hat was gone. and alto.
pelher he looked so forlorn. that the
passengers, who were pfofusc I'm their
sympathy and praise, began to make up
purse for him.
After the train had left I found him in
the waiting ROOM and here we discussed
the affair and tried to think how mach
We should charge the express company
for the use OF our private line A few
days later, more rs a joke than anything
else, we sent in bill for fifty dollars.
which was paid promptly, with many
thanks or what they called our prompt
action" -- Y04ths Compau3oa.
Tho Ennf.rraF