Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-09-12
s5irginia fire. gress.
history of Ring a Richmond Lady
Years.

The following true story told by an eye
witness about the celebrated Bandit King,
Jesse James, shows that beauty, like music
has power over the most savage natures:
It was one summer night several years
after the war that westwardbound train
rolled out of the New for its long run west
ward over the broad prairies. The train
was filled with passengers. Especially no.
ticeable among them was a newly-marrled
pair. The groom was an ordinary every
day Young man, who would not attract a
second glance, but the bride would have
shown among a galaxy of beauties. She
was petite and graceful in form her head
we'll set on q rounded neck of snowy white
ness. while from beneath a 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
his Uranium the last strands of hair had de-
parted. The rest of the passengers were
persons such as One always sees on a jour-
ney. All day long the train flew over the
steel highway, until as the shadows of an
other night fell it was approaching that
wild, rugged country rendered the terror OF
treasure-trains by the bold train-robbers
who made their home in its Businesses.
1t was just about midnight, and the night
was dark and gloomy. The occupants OF
the train had composed themselves to slum-
Der. and no. a sound broke the silence save
the clang of the wheels on the rails aud the
sonorous snore Of the fat old gentleman, the
polished surface Of whose Uranium reflected
back the soft glow of the lamps. Suddenly
short, sharp whistle pierced the night air,
and with harsh grinding of the brakes on
the wheels, the train came to a stop. The
conductor snatched up a lantern and hurried
forward 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 towering form
appeared, filling the doorway from jamb tc
lamb. 1t was that of Herculean man, at
tired in the frontier garb. Heavy boots
encased his muscular legs on his head wa;
a broad brimmed hat, while over his broad
chest swept heavy brown beard The rays
of the lamp were flashed back from large
wicked.looking revolver held in his righ
hand. For q full minute he stood thus
while his piercing eyes rested upon the
affrighted passengers. Then he spoke;
Don't make yourselves uncomfortable
ladies and gentlemen; AM as harmless al
lamb, and the easiest person in the worlc
to get along with-when | have my OWL
way. The nature of of my errand you car
guess when l say that am Jesse James,
Please do me the kindness to contribute
your valuables and loose change to chart
table object, which, in my creed, is always
myself"
He passed slowly down the aisle, much
after the manner of good old deacon TAX
ing up a collection in church. Money, dia
monds, and valuable watches 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 containing
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
ewes were dilated with terror. For second
he gazed upon her, and with gesture re-
fused the valuabes offered him by her hus'
band. He drew diamond ring of great
beauty and value from his finger, and bow
ing low, presented it to her, saying in hi:
deep tones Instead of taking anything
from you allow me the pleasure of present
ing you with this ;rifing token for the graft
fcation have derived from looking a your
beautiful face" Before she could reply he
dropped the ring in her lap and passed on
evying upon other passengers on the train
The lady who received this token of the
admiration of rhe bandit for beauty is the
wife of a prominent citizen of Richmond
and although Aeeting years have entwined
some threads of silver in the gold of heI
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 spark
ling diamond given her by the outlaw chief
and loves to tell her children of the dreary
night among the rugged wilds of the robber;
haunts, when the heart of the famous bril-
gand was touched by her loveliness.-Rich-
DloRd State.
Quarter Century Test.