The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-15


no appreciation of humor. Gas / pulled
out OF ST. Paul few nights ago some bod v
slipped note into my hands IL read /;
Look out for the Harding gang. They in
tend TO give you the razzle-dazzle to-
night"
What's thatF asked the Briton.
Its an Indian phrase, meaning a gen
eral massacre explained the Bostonian.
Bah jovel"
well, :" continued the conductor, "I did
not pay much attention to the warning. I
knew the Harding gang by reputation, but
l was not afraid of them. l have run trains
in Texas and have often had my lights shot
out by cowboys. did not. theref jre, dread
the semi-civilized outlaws Of this part of Ct e
country. We had reached this vicinity ths {
evening when the train suddenly stopped
l rushed forward to see what was the matter
ana was confronted by masked robber,
who told me to hold up my hands. | did as
he directed. There are times when |
prefer defeat to death. This
was one of them. l threw my
my palms toward the lamps and
the outlaw emptied my pockets. His pals,
seven in number, went through the train
In the good-natured way peculiar to their
kind and gathered in a vast deal of booty.
Then they bid US farewell. and we moved on
through the night. Ihave more respect for
the Harding gang than did month ago"
The conductor tipE ed me solemn wink.
The Englishman was growing very ner-
vous.
Perfectly lawful, he exclaimed. "DId
they catch the bloomin' crookw
mo. In fact. we have reason to believe
that they contemplate another attack"
Milford lighted fresh cigar. i noticed
that his hand trembled.
''How far west are you going!" somebody
asked him.
Him not quite certain" be replied. 81
thought of seeing San Francisco"
you take your life in your hands.
stranger" remarked tie commercial trav-
eier who see ned annoyed at the vile ocor
of the Englishman's cigar. There is no
end to the dangers incident 10 travel be-
tween here and the coast"
ITS not so much highwaymen l fear as
cyclones, broke IN the circus agent. why,
do you know, it was only about ten miles
west of here that a funnel-shaped cloud
took hold of our tent, a few weeks ago, and
lifted the whole concern, including the ele-
plants and the living skeleton. into the
next county. 1t saved car fare, but if we
had struck mountain IL would have been
a bad thing for the show.
The Englishrnan had grown very pale.
"Have you had ANYTHING to drinkl" he
asked of the porter, who had just appeared
after three hours nap.
This way, sab. May be able to give you
a flask, sahg"
When the Britou returned there was more
color in his cheeks. We had been indulging
in quiet laugh at his expense, but regained
our gravity at once in the hope that he
would pass around the flask he had just
purchased. He seated himself calmly, how
ever, wiped his mouth with a silk handker-
chief. and seemed to feel that he had beer
thoroughly hospitable.
"Ab, by the way" he began, chair these
cyclones as frequent as they seem to be de
structiveF'
~ should say So" answered the news
paper man. 81 spent week here in Min
nesota once and we had storm every
evening at TO- Let me see, it's now $50.
should not be surprised if we struck a
cyclone within the next ten miles. should
like to have you see one. They are one of
the proudest products of our land"
Thanks returned MILFORD. ~ should
like very much to have some acquaintance
with them"
The train slowed up just here and then
came to dead stop. The conductor had
disappeared. saw the Englishman put his
hand on his watch and glance at the door
in nervous way. He had not forgotten
the tales of highwaymen he had just heard.
When we had resumed our journey the
commercial man remarked:
81 do so much travelling that my nerves
have become dulled, but there is one form
of disaster that is ever In my mind"
"What is that 2" asked the Britisher, ap-
prehensively.
81 am always fearful that the train win
leave the track. You see, we have to de-
pend upon the skill and care Of men who dc
not possess vast amount Of either. For
instance, the track beyond here for fifty
miles has been in bad condition for year.
1t is now being repaired. but suppose that
a reckless workman leaves his tools in our
way or fails to rivet his rails with requisite
force, where are we I It's horrible to think
Of"
The Englishman turned white again,
pulled out his flask, took long drink, gazed
through the window for a moment, and
then, muttering a hoarse good night, "
sought such repose as was available In
Clover four"
l did not see the victim of my country
mems gossip again until reached Omaha
l was seated at the breakfast table one
morning when he joined me.
'Still going westwardg' / remarked
YES, | suppose So"
He had in his hand morning newspaper
AS be glanced over the telegraphic columns
his face grew pale looked at my journal
and saw the following headlines:
Cyclone in Wilkesbarre, Pa"
"a Passenger Train Held Up on the
Missouri Pacific"
Terrible Accident Due to Broken Rail
on the Old Colony Road"
The E lglishman had started for the door.
"Where are you going" l cried.
"To England, curse you" was his dis
courteous answer.