The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1892-03-12


handle of a revolver. SIT is the other
end that is dangerous, though, but if
you obey orders you have no u to
be alarmed. Here are my pals" rs
two dark-faced, ~evil-looking men
stepped boldly in at the open door.
"We don't wish to harm you, young
stcr, but we want money, and by flag
ging the next train, No. s, you will
help US into "a fortune, as we have some
knowledge concerning the valuables
it carries"
why, that is a through train; it
never stops here, neverr" gasped Hugh.
DO you reckon we'd axed for your
help if we hadn't known that?" sneered
time to fool, and if you don't help us
we'll fix you and take business into our
own hands. What do you say? VIII
you stop the train or not?"
81 can't-I dare not!' exclaimed
Hugh. do you think l would betray
my trust in hat shameful manner?"
81 told you the cub hadn't sand
enough to stand up in a job like this"
said the third man. "Better a-gagged
49, w L liz IL NOulo ASlNC OCCn
over. There is no use in making con-
fdents of such cowardly spooks as you
find down in these Virginia swamps."
81 believe in doing everything in a
square and honest fashion, returned
the man who had made the first as
sault.
Talk about honor among thieves"
retorted the little, bald-headed man,
''but if we are goin' to grab ourselves
rich we can't stand here arguing any
longer" CHANGING at his expensive
timepiece.
You're right" exclaimed the first
rogue, as he placed a gag in poor,
frightened Hugh's mouth. This done,
the unfortunate fellow was tied hand
and foot, and then, helpless as he was,
the rope that bound him was made fast
to the little iron safe, the danger lam
tern was swung out in the darkness
and the cowardly r~uffians hurried away
to secrete themselves, expecting to hop
on the express car as soon as the train
came to a standstill, and by fair or
foul means shut the mouth of the ex-
press agent, secure the booty coveted
and made their escape unobserved
when the train slowed up at the sta
ton above. The first part of their
plan worked admirably, and when the
train stopped one of the gang in the
garb of n section hand ran up to the
conductor, ex~claiming, breathlessly:
"a bowldcr rolled down on the track.
and as none of the other men were in
calling distance 1 was afraid 1 could
not get it off in time and so had the
danger signal swung out. But it is all
right now" pointing to a huge rock by
the side of the track.
Neither the conductor nor engineer
suspected treason, and in n few min
utes the train was again in motion, the
disguised rogue hopping on the ex-
press-car platform on the opposite side
of the train from the station, as it
passed the place where he stood.
Not seeing the Benning operator. &C
cording to arrangement, Frank Rev
nolds stepped off the train and into the
little w-aiting-room, where n light was
burning. Hearing groans some
where in the neighborhood she ven
tured into the Office, where poor Hugh
was lying bound hand and foot. He
had succeeded in forcing the gag
partially out of his mouth, and lust as
train started off his efforts to make
her understand the situation became .
and sent her to the instrument to
lash the news to the station above. E
The message was brief but startling: {
"Loot OUT for robbers on express car No. s !
send as ,istance 10 Benning by next train. '
operator badly used Up" :
She waited Il few minutes, and then
,ack over the wires came: a
AL right, You will have assistance very I
.
With this she went back .
o release Hugh, still a prisoner in the a
nncr Office. The poor fellow had been
handled and before he was :,
tainted scv eral times from the loss ii
{ blood. lie was still unconscious 3 81
'hcn the train stopped a few minutes
ltcr with a surgeon and the assistance f.
romised on Io~r1. They brought the
ood news Of the capture of the train rs
obbers, but Hugh was too weak to m
ay much attention to the conversation
lat night. -
Hell be all right by morning" 40
I'D the doctor, confidently, but he 81
as mistaken, for the next day found
lie poor follow tossing uneasily in a ia
fever. Day after day and night W.
ter night Frank Reynolds remained Pr
nurse him and attend to his duties, y
it'll her whole fortnight's vacation
as gone. Not until the morning she ,
ent away, however, did Hugh ilcnti- =,
her with Frank Reynolds, his friend e
legraphcr. III
had supposed that Frank was a
witty young man, about his J,
yn age, but when he found out his J
weak and helpless as he was, 10;
e Ghock did not ininre him in the y