Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-25

turned me on my face and held me. while
the others bound my hands firmly behind
me They next bound my feet, and then
rolled me over again on my back
Now, my chicken said one. who appeared
to b the leader, I'VE amt got nothin' agin
you an won't hurt you as long as you Keep
quiet bu, sure as you yell or make noise,
there'u be some shootin'."
They seemed to be familiar with the office
and its surroundings and probably had been
there before Two of them picked me up and
carried me toward the freight room, while
another went ahead with the lamp and opened
the door Here they looked around for
moment, then laid me down against the side
Of the building. with an old coat under my
head for a pillow, and, bidding me keep
num-" returned to the waiting room
Thus left alone in the dark, began to
think and pretty fast, too, for ! was thor
oughly excited
Their scheme was evident enough-to way
lay the train there and rob the express and
mail cars The express messenger always
had money in the safe on the east run, and
not infrequently gold bullion from the mines
they would secure large sum. There had
been several ike attempts throughout the
country lately, and felt sure that this was
their object.
By taking the train men by surprise they
might easily overpower them, then separating
the mail and express cars from the rest OF the
train, run them a mile or two further east
with the engine and plumber them at their
leisure This plan had been successfully car
ried out on another road short time before,
and there was no reason why it should not be
again successful, unless in some manner l
could prevent 1t.
ItIied TO loosen my hands, but they were
tied too securely-so tightly that the cords
almost cut the flesh Then | reflected that
even if | were loose, should be unable to get
out and flag the train, for both freight doors
were padlocked and the key was in the ticket
Office drawer.
About this time the door leading to the
waiting room was opened and one Of the
roughs looked in
Say, young TELLER, are you alive yeti" he
asked
"Yes,"I responded
wen, We waiter huOW Il tuele tuuie
you've got to do to this here telegraph machine
50 they won't suspect nothin'-any report to
maker
This was pretty cool, and for a moment
thought might still have an opportunity to
warn the dispatcher, and was on the point Of
saving YES" when another voice cut me
abort.
"You let him get his claws on that machine
an he'll have em stop the train Don't be a
fool come out an shut the door"
The door slammed and once more wasleft
in the dark
was now beginning to suffer from my
constrained position and the cutting of the
cords, so | began to cast about me for relief;
and then suddenly remembered reaper
blade that had been left at the station a few
days ago by the express 1t was loose from
the board and had placed it in corner so
that no one could be hurt by it accidentally
Accordingly rolled over and over until my
feet touched the opposite wall and then sit
ting up with my back toward the corner, l
felt for the blade with my hands.
| To my great satisfaction found it, got the
cord across one Of the teeth and carefully
sawed it back and forth.
In moment my hands were free and then
| loosened my feet | then took off my shoes.
| This done was able to move about without
making any noise
| Still was unable to accomplish anything,
for it was impossible to get out, and | was on
the point of composing myself in my old po-
sition, to avoid another knock down, should
the roughs look in, when slight 'spz-z-z,"
followed by a bright sparkle, attracted my
attention to the south side of the room. 1t
| WAS the instrument on the private line, af
fected by the lightning-a common occur
renee in all Offices during thunderstorms
| stepped up to it quickly and tried the cir
cult. 1t was all right, though the rain made
| such a noise on the roof that ! could hardly
hear the sounder. 1t was not probable that
could get al answer from Charley at that
time Of night, but as my only resource it was
worth trying So | started in, making his
call, "Ch"
"C-h-ch-c-hl" ratified and presently,
to my surprise, the circuit was opened and
the response came:
"li-c-h."
great deal faster than he could take, and
be interrupted me with slower"
III" | said, "cal your father"
Not home,r came the answer; 'all hands
gone out to round up bunch Of cattle STAN
peded by the storm"
"l-i-i-i-i-i." answered stopping to re-
feet Then went ahead again:
Can you ride over to the west cut and sig
nal the train to stop''
YES. what forf'
Get lantern and put piece of thin red
flannel around it if you can Swing it across
the track when you see the headlight and
keep it up till they stop. Tell conductor
there are eight men here waiting to rob his
train Be quick about it"
| 10. K. By Georgel' This last by way Of
| expressing his surprise, suppose, and then
the ticking stopped
| l now began to feel that the roughs would
be foiled, though Of course it all depended on
Charley. But it was something 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.
/ l IL Dest W tdke my OH
position against the wall, to avoid any sus
| picion, should the robbers grow inquisitive,
So ! lay there and waited and waited-the
time seemed fairly to drag along-until | felt
certain that the train was due But it did
not come, though the movements OF the
roughs convinced me that | had guessed
aright-it was probably little overdue by
this time and they were getting restless.
Presently one Of them opened the door and
looked in
Say, operator, is that train on timer he
asked
Yes" replied, they were on time the
last heard them reported-sbout 2 O'Clock"
He retired again. and for about ten min
utes all was still Then above the noise Of
/ the storm far away whistle sounded family
| Next there was hurried movement In the
outer room-the roughs were crowding out
upon the platform
sprang to my feet and stood against tho
| side of the building next the track, and by
putting my against the boards could
hear the distant rumble OF the train now
fast nearing the station | tried To imagine
where the roughs had placed themselves
/ Probably around the corner Of the building,
ready to rush out revolyers in hand