The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-09-21
PLAYING WITH FIRE.

, "Look here, Bevan," said superin.
tendent Clarke, 81 will give you JUS
} one more chance. | am going to send
you down to Henderson. If you be.
have yourself there, and show tha
you have any of the true stuff in you
will give you better position In
time. If not. will wash my hand.
Of you, and you will receive no more
employment from this company"
He looked after Bevan somewhat re.
yretfully, as the great, handsome fell
low went out Superintendent Clarke
was inclined to like him, but Bevan's
conduct made it impossible to show
MIN much favor.
A week later Bevan went down to
Henderson and opened the little tele-
graph Office over which he was to be
sole manager for-how long?
Telegraphy was more Of curiosity
then than it is now, and he found him
self regarded as sort of lion by the
people there. He tried hard to be
steady and sober, and really succeeded
very we'll. He struck up an acquaint-
ance with the station agent, who was a
steady, thorough-going young fellow
and an excellent companion. He was
greatly taken with the mysteries OF
Biography, and very much to his de-
light Bevan offered TO teach him and
had soon transformed him into a toler-
able plug"
! One evening about two W eeks after
Bevan had been in possession of the
Henderson Office he was attracted to
The sounder by hearing Richport, the
largest city on the line, thirty miles
above Henderson, calling furiously.
The big fellow walked leisurely back to
the table and answered in his slow,
lrawling fashion, which always set the
other operators along the line nearly
distracted. He was rewarded by the
following:
To J. n. Claude, President Henderson Bank:
! The bullion has arrived Do you wish 1t
oOhG ny AliAh VI OIL OO-uAShI1 ohoiA uOo
send it unless / receive direct orders at once,
WILLIAM KLEIN, Cashier R-Bank.
! He copied the message, enclosed it
in an envelope, directed it in his round
bold hand, and called to the messen-
ger, who was in the outer room.
I BE sure and get an answer, Will
ham," he said.
'.Fuith, WILL" William replied.
Bevan followed him to the door. The
moon had gone down and it had grown
very dark. The station was about a
mile from the village, and he could
just see the lights of the nearest house
in the distance.
In half an nour William returned.
Rather lonely walk, WILL" Bevan
remarked.
"Yes, sir. l came back across the
fields and SO shortened it. !"
Which in all probability saved his
life.
Bevan tore the envelope containing
the answer open and read it.
"You can go home now, my boy" he
said.
The message read:
To William Klein, Cashier Richport Bank.
No; do not send the bullion tonight. l
will give further orders to morrow as to its
disposition.
j. R. CLAUDE, President Henderson BanI.
He had checked the message, and,
standing by the table, had stretched
out his 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 out,
said harsh, determined voice in low
tone.
Bevan was as brave, perhaps, as most
men, yet he was thoroughly frightened
scared almost to death.
He could hear the muffied tramp of
men in the Office. One of them blew
out the kerosene lamp and turned
dark lantern so that it shone directly
in Bevan's eyes, almost binding him.
Another man, low in stature, thick set,
with long black beard and a black
mask over the upper part of his face,
placed himself directly in front of Be-
van and produced pair OF handouts.
which he secured upon his wrists. His
arms were then released by the man
who held them. He with the beard,
who seemed to be the leader, then by
the light of the lantern hunted over the
table until he found the message. which
he read and carefully placed in his
breast pocket
You are sure this telegram has not
been sent?" he said, addressing anoth-
err OF the men.
Il know it has not, was the answer.
He was just getting ready to send it
when we entered"
Every good. Now" he continued.
turning to the white, horror-stricken
operator. II want you to understand
that we are going to secure the treas
ure which was to have been sent down
from Richport tonight, and you will
help us. If you have any objections
this little persuader will silence them"
As he spoke he tapped the butt of the
revolver significantly, which projected
from his pocket.
HE then took up pencil and pro-
ceeded to write out message on a
soft sheet While he was thus employ
ed Bevan took occasion to glance
around. There were eight men in the
room, all of whom wore masks similar
to that worn by their chief. He could
just make out their forms in the dim
light A hand dropped upon his
shoulder showed that even the turning
of his head had been observed.
There" the leader said, "you will
send that instead Of TIE other mes
sage"
He held the blank up before Bevan.
It read:
To William Klein, Cashier Richp0rt Bank: