The Press., 1890-02-13
FROM A COFFIN.

"The tightest corner I ever got into, y said the express messenger, "was when was travelling on the Southern Pacific road. l had just woke up out of a nap in the ex- press room when l saw something that froze the blood in my veins. There was a coffin in one end of the room, and could just catch glimpse of cruel face turned toward me. It belonged to train robber, was sure, and nay rifles were on the other side of the Car. If made step he would shoot me dead, and then notify his asso, ciates who were probably in the passenger car. ,..
 We had enough gold on board to make a man rich. felt the responsibility, and I knew must act at once. I pietended d to awaken by making two or three move- ments with my hands, and to my intense relief the cover of the pine box quickly and quietly dropped to its place. With out making any hurried motion, l rubbed my eyes, gaped once or twice, and slowly rose to my feet.
 "Well, well,' said aloud, "I've been asleep.'
 the car as if nothing had happened, but my nerves were not relaxed an instant. Before the train had gone five miles farth- 
 careless glance showed me 8 hole ln the box, through which the robber was un- doubtedly watching every movement made.
 did not go near the revolvers or rlfrs. It would have taken but second for him to have raised the lid and shot me, and l knew he would do so if I approached them. Instead of that careiessly assorted pile of express matter near the box, with d view to what l was to do.
 Twas terribly excited, though I tried to appear G ol. When was all ready I threw several heavy packages on the lid, sat down on the box, and hastily nailed down the lid. l heard noise within and felt a pressure as my prls oner endeavored to raise the lid. The weight was too great and soon had all the nails driven in to hold him fast. He was secured, but to make sure of him l surrounded the box with heavy bundles and piled upon it the heaviest boxes the car contained. sat down for minute to recover my self, then, taking down rifle, I cooked il loud enough for him to hear.
 "How many more are there aboard the train ?" I asked, placing my mouth to g crack between the bricks.
 In reply heard a muf1=d sound re sembling curse, and as all the holes through which he might shoot were GOV cred with gold and silver put my mouth nearer and asked the question again.
 l received no reply, and going to the other end of the Car quietly opened the door leading to the platform. The nigh air rushed in and the noise of the tran with it, making din in my ears. w, were running at high rate of speed around | %L I,,& &ho+ | I stepped to the platform of the nex car. It was 8 smoking car. The tran robbers were already at work. Two mel in the forward end, within five feet of me 9commanded d view of every passenger with their loaded revolvers, and two mor' were going down the alsles for the val uables.
 . It was terrible moment to me. fel keen sympathy for the passengers, whos terror-stricken faces could see in the din light from the lamps, but was helpless doubtless 8 similar scene was being en |. cted in the other passenger and sleepin. cars.
 was hot and cold by turns. watched the villains going coolly on with thei work until 1 began to think of my owl safety. Charley Slate, brakeman, wa bound hand and foot in the forward seat in few minutes they would finish thel daring work and come to my car. dlt not doubt that the fellow I had imprisoned in the box was all accompllce, and if the. should find the express car locked the, would break 1t open to see what had be come of hlm, and kill me if I resisted.
 This would enable them to take posses sion of the money, valuable packages ant bullion and escape. l knew they woul' not kill anyone if he dld not resist, all, inside of five minutes they would deman' an entrance to my car.
 Already the two robbers had nearl reached the farther end of the smoking car. Thousands of dollars were in m care l must save it.
 l Without any more hesitation 1 steppe to the platform of my Car, grasped th lever that operated the Miller coupling and with quick, strong. pull separate the two drawheads. l was not momen too soon. Before the engine and expres Car had shot 200 feet ahead of the train tn door of the smoking Car opened and tn robbers stepped out. l heard their CT of rage, saw the flashes of thelr revolvers and the bullets struck the woodwork be hind me. Hurrying forward, told tn engineer what had done.
 He heartily approved of my action an his words reassured 'me. l had taken desperate course, but had saved gres deal of valuable property. IT. We hurried on through the darkness all ..lsoon reached the next station, from whic q the news was telegraphed to the company < offices in San Francisco and Tuscon. Tn robber ln the pine box was then secured but refused to say a word, and with a gan of trackmen, armed, we returned to wher
 we had left the train. The robbers ha dep lrted, taking every valuable with then and the passengers hailed us with shout , of joy and sighs of relief. "
 When certain judge, well known , Roche ster, was young lawyer, the cou
 annninted him counselor for a certain nri