The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-11

the rest to conceal their valuables.
know what they're after. There's near
ly half million in gold on board. I'll
go forward and parley with them as long
as possible, SO as to give you time. I
imagine that if they break open the safe
they'll be in a big hurry to get away and
Will leave the passengers alone. Still
don't know, SO warn everybody"
There Is no question but the manager
was O brave man. He went briskly for
ward, as if nothing particular was wrong
and it was all little mistake that could
be explained away in few words. AS
he walked the length of the train, he
made up his mind to sacrifice the $780,
OoO If by so doing he could prevent
bloodshed and further robbery.
Whats the row here?" he cried cheer
fully as he approached the gloomy group
of mOuntaineers.
WHO are you, anyhow" asked the
man who was Covering" the express
messenger.
"Who am 1? I'm the manager of this
railroad. What do you fellows mean by
stopping one of my trains?"
The man lowered his rifle and looked
at the manager.
Whats the matter with you?" added
Tompkins.
1.-The matters just this, Mr. Manager.
You run the goldarndest railroad in all
creation. That's what's the matter, and
we amt a-goin to stand it no longer. l
don't mind your trainmen THROWN coal
at my dog; 1 don't mind 'em sassin NV
wife an maxim fun of my clothes, but
4 10
whisky I'm dodgasted if I'm a-goin to
stand it."
The other mountaineers nodded their
approval of these sentiments
"Monkeying with your whisky? What
do you mean?" cried the bewildered man.
ager.
81 mean just what 1 say. They can
throw coal at my dog; they can sass
N.Y.
eyes, yes; but 1 don't understand
about the whisky. What have my men
to do with your whisky"
why, don't you know, and you man
ager Of the road? Well, moonshine whis-
ky's all right enough ordinary days, but
we allus has good old Kentucky for
Christmas. Day before yesterday gave
your man i'll this here lyar IL Jug and So
to bring me some prime Kentucky from
town fur Christmas Yesterday, bang
through goes your train, jug and whisky
and all and never stops. Now, we amt
a-goin to stand that from no road that
ever footed Il whistle to scare the steers.
L said I'd bet my boots next train nd
stop, and she has. don't allow no man
to monkey with my likker. He kin sass
my wife and chuck coal''-
"See here" said the manager to the ex-
pressman. did you take his $2:"
"Twan't me- said the messenger.
"Alust have been Bill Simmons, on No.
8, and she must have gone through with
out stopping yesterday"
Then all you want is your whisky"
asked the manager, with a sigh of relief
Fairs fair, boss. 'Tain't Christians
like to drink moonslnc this time of the
year. Besides, hos got my So and the
jug"
That's all right" cried the manager.
"Have we got Il jug On the train:'
"Here's one" said the mountaineer.
taking jug from behind Il log. They
had been refreshing themselves while
waiting for the train.
The manager graspcd it by the handle,
turned it upside down and let the re-
mains of the ''moonshinc" gnrgle out. to
the horror Of the mountancers. Then ne
started through the train. shouting:
Here, You men with TASKS. want half
your stock. Pour it in here and be glad
you get off SO chcaply.'
Every man who had bottle produced
it, and before Tompl,ns had gone through
two cars the jug was briin full He went
back to the leader, who now allowed the
engineer and eXprcssman to hold down
their hands.
Taste that" said Tompkins
The monntaineer smacked his lips after
sampllnS the content. That's good
blend" he said, with solemn reverence.
Blend? You bet it's IL blend. I've
blended it myself. There's sample of
every known brand in the states there.
Now, tomorrow, l give you my word
that No. stops and unships Your Jug,
or therc'll be IL row. Is that all right
Its all right, boss" said the leader,
who had given the word. Thereupon
his lank company had flung the obi ties
and tree trunks clear of the track.
YOU'RE white man, if you are the
manager of this road. And your men
can make fun of my clothes an sass my
wife all the've a-mind to an heave the
company's coal at my dog as long as
they know you amt a-goin to let 'em
monkey with my whisky Robert Barr
in McClures Magazine.