The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-01-25
TRAPPED BY WIRE.

I'''N'OAi
a small station on the Pacific railway, in
this territory. 1t was dreary, desoate
spot in the midst of desert. The only
buildings at the station, aside from the
depot, was section house, occupied by a
track foreman and few Chinese laborers,
a water tank and coal shed, The dav
operator and agent, a mere boy, slept at
the section house, 200 yards distant, so
that during the long and dreary nights |
was alone in the depot
No. express train bound east, was due
at 2l5 in the morning, but it never
stopped unless signaled, and as this was
the only train during the latter portion of
the night you can imagine my lonely situat
ion upon the desert wild. had my books
and guitar for companions and passed
much of the time reading, and when the
doleful bowling of the wolves was borne to
my ears from the distant and hills would
pick up my guitar and endeavor to drown
their cries with music and song.
IN on vi llt NV lSlbH,
buoyant, light spirited young gentleman,
came over the road at frequent intervals
and cheered me up with promise of better
position when vacancy should occur. He
often found me on the very brink Of
despair, almost on the point Of resigaing
my position and returning to my humble
home and the mother who depended on
my salary for the neces saries of life, bat
his promises, his genial conversation and
words of encouragement drove away the
gloom, and came to look for his visits
with Il sense of the keenest pleasure. be
gan to regard him with il sisterly affection
he was so kind and tender and so solicitous
for my welfare and comfort.
One night shortly after midnight, as
sat 1T my table reading late novel, |
thought | heard snutiing footstep on the
depot platform. hut as it was not repeated
| concluded it was a but Il wolf more dar-
ing than his coWardly fellows and resumed
my book. A few moments later | heard
Il low knocking at the door, which always
kept locked, and strange feeling came
over me. During my several weeks stay
at the station had never had visitor,
and the sudden knock, 80 low. yet so
startingly clear in the stiffness of the night
caused my form to tremble and my cheek
to blanch.
My first thought was of Indians, and
then reasoned that it might be some
tramp desiring shelter. While sat there
in alright the knock was repeated louder
than before and mastering all my courage
approached the other door and asked:
'Whos there"
\ gruif voice replied:
"A traveller who desires to take the east
bound train
1t was my plain unmistakable duty to
admit him, and, with trembling fingers, |
drew the bolt.
Instantly the door was pushed violently
open, and sprang back to the table and
sank into my chair in terror, when seven
burly men, wearing cloth masks on their
faces and armed to the teeth, entered the
office. One of them, evidently the leader
walked up to me, and pointing a large
revolver at my head said in low, firm
voice:
''Gal we don't want to hurt you, but if
you make a suspicious move or scream or
give any alarm, so that any O the men in
the section house kin hear you I'll Spite
the looks O that purity face with a bullet.
Be quiet and sensible and behave yourself
and yer shan't be hurt. Whar's the red
signal lamp"
"What would you do?" gaspod.
"None oyer business. We don't want
to hear any unnecessary back talk MOI
no impertinent questions. Whar's the red
lamp"
A chill of horror swept over me when
the truth burst upon me that | was in the
hands Of band of desperate train robbers
whose evident intention was to signal the
train and rob the express car at my station
What could do? 1t was yet three hours
until the train was due, but | could moi
elude my captOrs to rouse the section men
and knew by the ugly CLEAN in til,
leaders eyes, through the holes in his mask
that if | made the least cutlery he woult
not hesitate to carry out his threat anC
murder me. knew they could find thu
lamp easily by searching for it, and in {
trembling voice told them it was hangin,
Just inside the door of the frcightroom
One OF the men got it, and after examining
it to see that it was in order the rough
band took seats to await the incomin!
train.
The leader lit pipe, and looking at nj
steadily for a few moments said:
Young gal, when that ar train foot
her whistle, we've got some work for you
an official duty, as you might call it. You
must get thar on the platform and sigma
the train to stop and take on some frs
passengers. And lookee here, if you maxi
suspicious move or don't swing the rec
lamp i'll the proper way, we'll just VENT
late that graceful body with bullets ant
jump on our horses and git. Do yot