Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-11-07
FIGHTING A ROBBER.
WAS IT BRAVERY OR WAS TIA CASE
OF FooLHARplNessi

WAS IT BRAVERY OR WAS " A CASE
OF FooLHARolNessi
A struggle with the raaess I'd Dsitss
For the Posssssioa Of $1,000 Aens1
Psehage-A rsisgrsphsr's story Of On
winter Nights Experience.
When Tread Of adventures, there comes
to my mind my encounter with . no
torious outlaw Of the name Of Ed Dial
ton. For years he had robbed mai
coaches and waylaid and murdered trav
elers who were belated and 20 unfor
tunate a. to meet him.
Twas employed by the Northern Pa
cifc railway ~ telegraph operator. !,
was In the latter part Of the winter thai
the most terrible storm broke upon that
section Of the country that was ever
known. The wind blew . strong gale
from the northwest, and the air was full
Of snow.
All trains were late, and I had found
no time to leave my Office and take an ex-
press package Of 5000 to the bank for
safe keeping. The station was crowded
and our safe small, % that usually de-
posted the company's money In the bank
mot liking to risk II In the Office. ]
had an order from the dispatcher not to
10 to bed till after No. 4 had passed.
This was the western bound limited,
due at Cameron at 10 minutes Of II.
II was q lonely night. The wires
hummed and sobbed In the wind a.
though they could not Withstand the fury
Of the storm. had finished my work and
was sitting half asleep near the stove,
which was filled with coal and red as q
cherry, when o sensation Of some i'm.
pending danger took possession Of me.
Trying to shake 1t Of, I walked to my
desk. threw open the key and asked
the operator on the might trick" at
Hudson how No. I was.
ION time," clicked the instrument In
reply, and I stirred the FIRE, turned the
blaze Of my lamp higher and sat down
again.
For Is or 20 minutes I sat listening to
the monotonous click 90 musical to the
operators ear, when became conscious
some one was looking through the win
dow, and q thought Of the express pack
age flashed through my mind. At the
same instant q crashing Of glass was fol-
lowed by gruff voice saying:
"Move and you are adead mani"
Ibid not stir, but I realized that ! was
looking straight into . SIX shooter.
While I was wondering how I Icould save
the money the robber broke out the rest
Of the window pane and crawled In over
my desk.
Oh. for some way to reach my trusty
"bulldog," which was lying In full sight
under the ticket window. Useless wishi
Ordering me to rise, the ruflan calmly
took my chair and proceeded to warm
his chilled members before cleaning
out" the Office. all the while keeping the
revolver pointed at my head. Glancing
around. he spied my pistol and coolly put
II In his pocket. As he rose he said:
"well, now I am ready for business.
I will Just trouble You for that little
package with the red seals that isin your
safe"
was desperate enough to say any.
thing and broke into loud, harsh laugh
as he finished.
"was ever anything more luckyr !
cried, and my voice sounded like croak.
'why. my friend, I have been waiting
FOR q chance to rob the express company
for q month. and II you are bound to
take the package we will divide the con.
tents and skip together"
He looked at me Q moment with Q
sneer.
"Bosh! Don't talk stuff Whatever
you do be quick about 1t and look little
put that you play me no trick. or I'll I'm.
Lsh YOU"
I turned the combination and drew
the safe door open, making up my mind
10 throw myself upon him II he moved
his revolver away for an instant. It did
not seem likely that opportunity would
favor me, but az I took the money from
the safe and handed 1t to him he lowered
his weapon.
The critical time had comel II Ishould
fail to overpower the fellow, 1t meant
death for me.
I sprang upon him with the strength
,f madman, and 90 unexpected was the
that we both went sprawling
On the floor, the revolver discharging It.
,elf harmlessly as we fell. The robber
,oon struggled to his feet, and lifting
me completely from the floor forced me
through the ticket window.
But had wrestled often while at col
ege. and a. I crashed through the glass
whirled him around, throwing my left
loot back Of his In such way that the
next instant found him on his head In q
corner. Wild with excitement, I pinned
him to the floor. pulling my old "bull.
dog" from his pocket and changing the
by placing the muzzls against
his temple.
"Lie still. my FRIEND" I painted. cor 1t
will be worse for you'll"
At that very moment I heard the fa.
niliar whistle Of No. 4. which was ap-
the station, but would not
top unless signaled. I was master Of
he situation now. I could stretch out
my left hand and touch the signal board,
md with . loud cry Of triumph that
,ounded strange and savage In my own
sars turned Il. Iheard the airbrakes
md escaping steam, and then the train
same to full stop. Directly afterward
The Office door opened. and the conduct
sr came swinging his lantern and ex
pecting his train orders.
Isuppose he understood the tables
before him, but that was all ! knew 70
,ome time.
When became conscious Of what was
yoing ON around me, they had my rob
Der bound hand and foot, and an eager
,rowd stood round my chair, praising
ny bravery and congratulating me on
,aving the large sum Of money and cap
.uring the boldest robber west Of Csru-
IRON. the famous Ed Dalton.
Was II brsveryf Sometimes think
L was foolhsrdiness, but IL paid me
we'll. for both railway and express COM
panies rewarded me generously In money
and advance Of posidou.-Archis Eggls-
,on.
A College Jsks.
A good an example as can bs givsnof