New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-06-10

row, dark way to stand at the farth-
er end until a flood Of light almost
blinded our eyes. We entered, the
door was closed. The low ceiled room
was filled with rough oking men.
Winchesters and pistols were the prin-
cipal ornaments, as they hung from
painted pegs or lay carelessly around
within easy reach. A look of aston
lshment that could not conceal
caused a roar of laughter as they
handed my evil genius a flask OF bran
dy and showed him into one corner,
where he Wassoon lost to the present,
as he recllned in a drunken stupor.
y SsCome, young chap, you see we de-
coyed you; take a hand just for luck"
have no money
Here is pile Of chips, blue, red and
white. You see we sorter thought as
how you was lonesum up thar and
sent Dick to find you. We will treat
you right if you behave yourself.
Come make up your ante, you keep
the game waiting"
[ was fond Of poker, but the game
was as far from my thoughts as the
stars from my present position. I
played mechanically; luck smiled in
every jack pot. I could not lose. I
grew immensely in the estimation of
my captors. Every moment was an
agony, for l could see what the result
OF neglected duty would be. I contin-
ued to play, the stakes were in my
| hands.
Rough applausefollowed every lucky
turn of the game [ called for four
cards, my opponent did likewise, their
hot whisky breaths were on my face.
I threw down my hand, four aces, and
ended the game.
"Young chap, the money is yours
by, right, you cleaned us all out; but
we viii make haul tonight that will
be worth something"
Isat upright, the whole truth flashed
upon me-a train robbery I located
! the very spot-what a fearful sacrifice
of life; oh! what horror numbed me.
"Young chap, you an.fnd your way
back the best you can; for, the damage
has been done by this time. - AS he
spoke he drew a watch from his pocket
and stared fixedly at the face. I stole
a glance, his time was fast. Iscarcely
breathed; it might not be too late.
stood alone in the deserted street,
a hack moved slowly by, 1 sprang to
| the seat and thrust a SIS bill into the
| drivers hand. "Drive for your life to
the depot" He cast one glance at
the money, the horses were in a. mad
gallop as we whirled by corners with a
recklessness that was dangerous. The
hack drew up at the entrance [ sprang
from my seat and flew to my room.
The fire had gone down; the room
was chilly; I awoke with a start and
with a horror-stricken face I noted
the time, twenty minutes to twelve;
cold beads of perspiration stood upon
my forehead. Just twenty minutes to
avert a. disastrous accident.
staggered to the instrument; but
one station between mangled limbs
and safety. If I can hold No. 4-If
can hold No. 4. I sounded the call
with an eagerness that was startling;
with my eyes on the clock [ pressed
the button down with hopeless de-
spalr, and yet no answer. The time
was almost up-fve minutes more
and it would betoo late.
l closed my eyes to see visions of
two trains that were masses Of torn
and shattered splinters. I could even
hear the grOans of the wounded and
dying. My heart gave fierce beat of
JOY Hello, what in the-is the mat
ter?" "Side track No. quick, for
Gods sake, and none to soon as the
lightning express swept by like whirl-
wind.
l looked into the glass, my hair was
as white as snow bank.
| never touched the key again.
JUNIUs L. Hampstead.