Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-09-06
FOILED BY AN OPERATOR.

Il
themselves comfortably in their
seats to enjoy the long stretch of
ride which was before them, as well
as might be.
| was OIL my way to new fields
of labor, the western Union Tele-
graph Company, by whom | had
been employed for several years,
having transferred me to station
we'll up among the mountains. |
did not care to read. Somehow /
could not concentrate my thoughts
upon the pages, and the book lay
open and UNDECIDED OH my knee.
had sat engrossed in reverie for
perhaps fifteen minutes, when my
attention was attracted towards two
fiashily-dressed men who occupied
seats facing each other, diagonally
across the aisle from me. One was
middle-aged, while the other was
much younger.
At first | took them to be deaf
mutes, for they were certainly car
rying OH conversation with their
fingers. But second glance told
me that they were not using the
symbols by which the poor unfor-
Inmates who are deprived of speech,
communicate with one another, for
only the index finger and the thumb
of the right hand were brought into
requisition.
With half-closed eyes | idly watch
ed them awhile, when suddenly | be-
came aware Of the nature of their
conversation, and my surprise was
so great that ] nearly revealed my
knowledge of what they were say
ing by an exclamation of dismay.
They were actually telegraphing
to each other, the quick extension
of the forefinger representing the
dash, while the thumb indicated the
dot.
1.-THE gang boards the train at
l." signaled the older of the
two men.
1T will be dark, then. We must
manage to get on the rear platform
of the express car at that stop.
When well out on the road again,
cut the coaches apart. Jim and
Tom will take care of the engineer
and fireman, while you and | will
have to look after the messenger.
Does your nerve hold good?"
/ could not witness the reply Of
the younger one, but judged it
was satisfactory, for his companion
smiled and slightly nodded his head.
Then, as though thoroughly UNI
derstanding each other, they turned
their attention to what was going on
about them.
That | was astonished, scsrcely
expressed my feelings. had been,
in most singular manner, made
aware Of the plot to rob the express.
knew it was my duty to warn
the train hands, but how was it to
be done without exciting suspicion?
At length, I determined to step
forward into the smoking-car and
when an opportunity occurred, to
report what | had learned to the con-
ductor.
Then, as nonchalantly as possible,
! took cigar from my pocket,
opened my penknife, deliberately
cut the end off, and placing the
weed between my lips, arose, depos-
tied my bag and overcoat where ]
had been sitting, and walked slow
ly toward the forward part of the
train.
did not know but what the
robbers might have a confederate
in the smoker, so it behooved me
to be extremely guarded.
Then again, had heard of such a
thing as the conductor bein' in league
with the gentlemen Of the road;"
at any rate l realized that ! must
speak to this official, and were he a
friend of the thieves, it would at
least Illustrate their designs for a
time, though it would also give
them chance to escape.
| had consumed perhaps a quar-
ter of the cigar when the man in
charge Of the train entered.
caught his attention and mo-
toned him to take a seat by my
side, and then placed my credentials
from my company in his hand and
awaited his perusal thereof.
swell, young man." he asked, as
he returned the paper, what in
terest do you suppose that has for
meP"
avery little, directly ! replied.
"Only / thought it best to let you
know who am before revealing to