Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-08-18

ilC iOl4ON ~ w 'oNOAy sOiN ~ 49,
eve witness about the celebrated ban
dit king, jesse James, shows that beau
ty, like music, has power over the most
savage natures:
1t was one summer night several
years after the war that westward
bound train rolled ont Of the New York
depot for its long run westward over
the broad praires. The train was well
filled with passengers. Especially no
ticeable among them was newly-mar-
ried pair. The groom was just an or
dinary every day young man, who
would not attract a second glance, but
the bride would have shone among a
galaxy of beauties. She was petite and
graceful in form; her head well set on
a rounded neck of snowy whiteness,
while beneath crown Of golden hair
large dreamy, blue eyes looked out
with the brightness of twin stars. In
the seat in front Of the young pair,
and in striking contrast to the
dainty young bride, sat portly
old gentleman, from the summit of
whose creuium the last strands of hair
had departed. The rest of the passen
gers were such as cne always sees on a
Journey. All day long the train flew
over the steel highway, until, rs the
shadows of another night fell, it was ap-
preaching that wild, rugged country
rendered the terror OF treasure-trains
by the bold train-robbers who made
their homes in its businesses.
4 II. ,t-oc i,,.+ al nd piUbt oO1 tIa
night was dark and gloomy. The oc-
cupants Of the train had composed
themselves to slumber, and not a sound
broke the silence save the clang of the
wheels on the rails and the sonorous
snore of the fat old gentleman, the pol
ished surface of whose Uranium reflected
back the soft glow of the lamp. Sud
denly, short, sharp whistle pierced
the night air, and with harsh grind
ing of the brakes on the wheels, the
train came to stop. The conductor
snatched up lantern and hurried for
ward to ascertain the trouble, while
the passengers thrust their heads out of
the windows and tried to see through
the dense gloom. Just at this moment
the forward door of the car opened and
a towering form appeared, filling the
doorway from jamb to jam. 1t was
that of a Hcrculean mau, attired in
the Eontier garb Heavy boots en-
cased his muscular legs; on his head
was broad -brimmed hat, while over
his broad chest swept a heavy brown
beard. The rays of the lamp were
flashed back from large wicked-look
ing revolver held in his right hand. For
minute ne stood thus, while his pierc-
ing eyes rested upon the affrighted pas
sengers Then he spoke:
Don't make yourselves uncomforta
ble ladies and gentlemen: am as harm
less as lamb, and the easiest person
in the world to get along with-when
| have my own way. The nature of
my errand you can guess when | say
that am Jesse James. Please do me
the kindness to contribute your
valuables and loose change to chari
table object, which, in my creed, is al
ways myself"
He passed slowly down the aisle,
much after the manner Of good old
deacon taking up collection in church.
Money, diamonds, and valuable watch
es were handed him in profusion,
all of which he received with a
polite bow and smile, until he came to
the seat where the young couple sat.
The groom held out his hand contain
ing his purse and watch, but the
| bandit took no notice of them, his
eyes were fixed upon the face of the
young bride, whose large blue eyes
were dilated with terror. For second
he gazed upon her and then with a
gesture refused the valuablcs offered
him BY her husband He drew dia-
mond ring of great beauty and value
from his finger, and, bowing low, pre-
sented it to her, saying in his deep
tones: Instead Of taking anything
from you allow me the pleasure OF
presenting you with this trihing token
for the qualification | have derived
from looking at your beautiful face"
Before she could reply he dropped the
ring in her lap and passed on, levying
upon other passengers on the train.
The lady who received this token of
the admiration of the bandit for
beauty is the wife of a prom
iuent citizen OF Richmond, and although
fieeting years have twined some threads
of silver in the gold of her hair. and her
beautiful eyes have lost some of the
brightness of youth, yet there are few
among the youthful fair sex who are.
even now, her peers in beauty.
She still wears upon her finger the
sparkling diamond given her by the
outlaw chief, and loves to tell her child
ren of the dreary night among the
rugged wilds of the robbers haunts,
when the heart of the famous brigand
was touched by her loveliness.-RicI-
mond state.