The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-06-15

| be reported before | could get good
night from the dispatchers and retire.
II had pulled off my shoes and had
nothing on my feet but my stockings.
AS was idly leaning back in my chair,
my feet propped up ON the instrument
table and lazily drumming on the key
with my heel, heard slight noise be-
hind me. Before could turn around
to ascertain the cause mans harsh
voice rang out:
Move an inch and you are dead
man. and at the same moment felt tho
cold muzzle of revolver pressed against
my head.
"'Put your hands behind your back
and look straight before YOU command
cd the same voice sternly
II obeyed alacrity.
"My hands were seized roughly and
bound securely to the back OF the chair.
Now, my beauty, guess you won't
do much more telegraphing tonight
and he broke cut into discordant
laugh.
HE evidently thought it amusing.
didn't.
Come on, boys. he yelled I've got
this kid fast
after moment three or four men,
as we'll as / could judge with my back
to the door, walked in
Hal hal cap'n, you've got him, have
your and they all laughed roughly
Jim, said the man addressed as cap
tain, have you got the spike lifter2
"'You bet has, from one of the men,
1.-THE captain then turned and adj
dressed me.
"Young man, no harm is intended
you IL you keep perfectly quiet. Doubt
less your curiosity is very much aroused
as to our intentions. Well, it can do no
harm to enlighten you, as the mischief
will be done before you can give any
alarm. We intend'--and here the mans
voice became absolutely fiendish-.to
take up two rails on that trestle out
there. Let us sec. the fast mail is due
here at
MY Godi man. broke in with hoF-
ror, surely you don't intend to wreck
the fast mail? Think of the lives that
will be lost IL it runs off at that trestlel'
and great beads of cold perspiration
stood out on my forehead as grasped
the full horror of the situation.
1.-THE trestle referred to was about 100
yards north Of the depot, and SPAWNED a
very wide but shallow creek, fully sew
enty-iive feet below. | knewif No. 80
| jumped the track ON that trestle it meant
death to every person on board
"'Jim,' cried the captain, you remain
here and keep your eye on this fellow,
IL he moves kill him. The remainder OF
| you come and let's get TO work
"Then all except Jim followed the
captain out and soon heard the metal.
lie clink of the crowbar as 1t drew the
spikes from the rails.
"Oh, what could be done!
"My hands were bound so that could
not reach the key, and even II tried the
outlaw behind me would send bullet
crashing th-osgh my brain. How could
/ warn the crew Of No. 82 of tho i'm
| pending danger?
"The station ten miles above Rands re-
ported No. SO on time. Soon it would be
at Rands. Never did time pass SO quickly.
It was now 1887 o'clock and No. 32
must be coming into Rands. Suddenly
an inspiration flashed through me like
an electric shock. Why could not
warn No. 90 with my heel? In my lei
sure moments had amused myself by
learning to send with my foot, never
dreaming that 1t would ever be an adj
vantage to me.
81 quietly pushed open the key with
my heel and called r. three or foui
| times as fast as possible, when was in
terrupted by the desperate.
What air you wiggling your foot
about on that table for?'
| "sMy foot has become cramped, re-
manning in one position so long / re-
Piled, as carelessly as could. although
my heart was in my throat.
"sI'm 80 sorry he said sarcastically.
commenced calling r. again. 1t was
now 1910 o'clock and No. 32 must have
left Rands.
sToo latel Too late. Oh, my God!
the agony Of those moments was terri
BILE.
"Ah, some one broke me; i-i-R.'
Robbers are going to wreck No. SO
at trestle just north of her
II was ticking. when suddenly re-
ceived a blow that sent me to the noor
and left the key wide open
"D-n you, what were you ticking
on them wiresY cried the outlaw
How can send anything with my
footy tremblingly exclaimed That's
| just habit Of Understanding on the
| KEY with my heel.
Habit or no habit, You won't put
| your feet on this table again tonight.
HE evidently believed that could
not send with my heel. but it was not
his intention to take any chances
~ wondered what the operator at
Rands would do-put on his ground
wire and report what had said to the
dispatcher, or just think | was trying
to scare him and lock up his Office to
go home. thought the latter more
probable.
Anyway it was now too late to stop
the Ill fated fast mail; it would soon
plunge Off the trestle, carrying its cargo
Of human beings TO certain death
II lay there waiting for the dreadful
crash to come In such an agony OF sus
pense that the next day strands Of gray
were found in my hair. Ahi how |
blamed myself for not thinking Of using
my heel before did.
Suddenly the sounds OF rifieshots in
quick succession came from the trestle.
| The boys are attackedr exclaimed
the desperate excitodly, but. by Old.
| you shall not escape unhurtl' And plac.
ing the muzzIe Of his revolver close ia
my head he fred.
II fell back unconscious.
"When regained my senses the room
was full Of men, one Of whom was band
aging wound on my head. and explain
ing to the others the extent Of the same.
"A close shave. but only scalp
wound, men, he was saying. 4 dare
say he will be all right in a few days.
Ali he Is conscious now, he said ten.
DERBY as slowly opened my eyes. Tell
us all about IL. young man.
ut was rather laborious task. as the