Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-03-14
PLAYING WITH FIRE.

tendent Clarke, 81 will give you just
one more chance. | am going to
send you down to Henderson. i
you behave yourself there, and show
that you have any OF the true stuff
in you, | will give you better posi-.
ton in time. If not, will wash my
hands out of you, and you will re-
ceive no more employment from this
company.
He looked after Bevan somewhat
regretfully, as the great, handsome
fellow went out. Superintendent
Clarke was inclined to like him; but
Bevan's conduct m AIDE it impossible
to show him much fey or.
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 n curios.
ity then than it is now, and he found
himself regarded as a sort of lion by
the people there. lie tried hard to
be steady and sober, and really sue
ceeded very well. He struck up an
acquaintance with the station agent,
who was n steady, thorough-going
young fellow and an excellent com
panion. He was greatly taken with
the mysteries photography, and very
much to his delight Bevan offered to
teach him and had soon transformed
him into II tolerable plug"
One evening about two weeks 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 lesurely back
to the table and answered in his
slow, drawing fashion, which always
set the other operators along the
line nearly distracted. He was re-
warded by the following:
To ] r. Claude, President Henderson Bank:
sent by milk train tonight? shall not send
1t unless receive direct orders ut onre.
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
messenger, who was in the outer
room.
BE sure and get an answer, Will
liam," hesaid.
Faith, | WILL" William replied.
Bevan followed him to the door.
The moon mad gone down and had
grown very dark. The station was
about a mile from the village, and he
could just see the lights OF the near
est house in the distance.
In half an hour William returned
"Rather lonely walk, WILL" Be-
van remarked.
Yes, sir | 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 il.
You can go home, now my boy"
he said.
The message read:
To William Klein. Cashier Rchport Bank.
No; do not send the bullion tonight. |
will give furth or orders tomorrow as to it's
disposition
J. II CLAUDE, President Henderson Bank.
He had checked the message, and,
standing by the table, h adj stretched
out his hand toward the key to call
Richport, when IN arm was thrown
roughly around him, pinning his
hands to his sides, and he felt the
pressure ofcold steel upon his temple.
Move, shout or speak but single
word, and will blow your brains
out" said harsh, determined voice
in a low tone.
Bevan was as brave, perhaps, as
most men, yet he was thoroughly
frightened scared almost TO death.
lie could hear the mufiied tramp
OF men in the Office. One of them
blew out the Kerosene lamp and
turned dark lantern so that it
shown directly in Bevan's eyes, al.
most binding him. Another man,
low in stature, thick set. with long
black beard and n black mask over
the upper part OF his face, placed him
self directly in front of Bevan and
produced a 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 an
other of the men.
81 know it has not was the
answer. "He was just getting ready
to send it when we entered
Very good. "Now," he continued,
turning to the white, horror-stricken
operator. Il want you to under
stand that we are going to secure
the treasure which was TO have been
sent down from Richport tonight.
and you will help us. Ifyou have any
objections this little persuade will