Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-11-21

cut OF their growth. Consequently
there were no side entrances. AT the
back door we placed two men, and at
either side of the front entrance, in
the darkness, the remainder of the
posse concealed themselves. It was
agreed that if found the gambler in
the saloon / was to give a signal at
the most OppOrtune moment, when
the officers would rush in from both
sides and secure their men before
they had chance to escape or to Of
fer much resistance.
1T then sauntered in, walked up to
the bar and called for glass of liquor.
I noticed that the bartender looked
surlily at me, and as I turned with the
glass in my hand and faced the crowd
standing and seated around the faro
tables, there seemed to be an unusual
silence, but [ leaned carelessly against
the wall, pretending to sip the william
GUS stuff in my glass, but at the same
time taking a keen survey of the
crowd. l think I never saw more
hardened set of criminals outside of
prison bars than were gathered around
those faro tables that night. Little
piles Of silver and gold were heaped
up here and there, many Of them
| guarded with six shooters and bowie
knives, while men were dealing out
the cards and raking in the coins.
"Just as I was about to give the sig
nal one of the tables was overturned
and in an instant there was a general
connection Before [ realized what
was happening, SO rapid and unex-
pected were the movements, door
opened by my side and a girl grasp
ed me by the coat and said in a fright
ened voice, This way, quick, for your
life!' Quick as flash the girl slam
med the door and / found myself be-
ing hurried up flight of stairs and
through an open trapdoor on the roof.
The girl gave me a push, as angry
cries followed us, and said, TO the
river. It's your only chance. They
mean to kill you'll You may be sure I
wasted no time in grateful thanks,
though why she braved the angry
crowd for my sake I never knew.
II leaped rapidly from one fat roof
to another toward the river, but none
too fast, for tramping feet, oaths and
shots followed all too quickly for my
comfort, and as I leaped from the last
roof into the river one bullet made
the holes in the crown of that hat just
missing my head. The ruffians thought
they had finished me, and then the
rush of the waiting posse, who made
a dash when they heard the commo |
ton, gave them other business.
cit was short time before | was on
the opposite bank of the river review
ing the case. Detectives are more
feared and hated by lawbreakers than |
the regular officers, and I knew if my
business was known, as it seemed it |
was, it was as much my life was worth /
to return for the present. Besides,
the work 1 had undertaken was finish
ed, so concluded to go due north till /
I had struck the railroad, stop the first |
train I saw go to the next station, then |
telegraph back for my grip and con-
tinue my journey west.
cit was now toward morning, and [
concluded I had better make myself
scarce before daylight revealed my
whereabouts. I struck out rapidly for
the north, but when the hot sun came
out, and with most of the time moth
ing to show me my locality, I lost my
reckoning and must have taken a
long in the afternoon when I sighted
telegraph poles and knew I must be
near the railroad.
s'Taking out my climbers, which
with telegraph instruments in case of
some emergency I always carried with
me during my trips,I climbed the pole,
cut the wires and telegraphed to the
station east TO stop the next train
where white flag was flying from
telegraph pole. I then tackled my
handkerchief to the pole and slid
down. [ was so overcome with hun
ger and fatigue that I knew this pre-
caution was necessary, for [ might
drop to sleep and fail to hear the train.
Gin about two hours a train came
along, stopped and took me on. The
engineer told me I must have travel
ed nearly forty miles since leaving
A. AS soon as the train was under
way the conductor wanted to know by
what right l had stopped the train I
took out my pass and showed him my
official badge. In a few minutes he
left me and said few words to two
men, the only other passengers on the
train, and then went out.