The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-12-23

people at Medora. The money to build
their church, $1,000, have raised it
all myself, and l am very proud to
have it. This summer while was east
! begged it from my richer friends,
and they We're good enough to be in
terested. And just last week got the
last of ii, and 1 have it all. | suppose
it would have been wiser TO have
taken them a check for it. But l had
a fancy to put the money itself on the
altar and so 1 had them give it to
me at the bank in a few large bills
And l will CONFESS to you that l feel
uneasy to have it about me. So when
we stop again | think l shall so for.
ward to the express ear and ask
Nancy, the express messenger, to keep
1t for me until we reach Medora.
Nancy is n vestryman of mine and
good fellow. 1t will be safer with
him.
\ curious new sensation shot
through Brown-a sensation that
made him dizzy for second. He had
grown so interested in the bishop and
his Christmas tree that he had forgotten
the rest. Perhaps you are right" he
said,' but il my opinion would
carry any weight with you, l would
advise you strongly to keep 1t your.
self. You hint at train robbery; 1t is
always the express car that suffers,
and nowadays trains are wrecked and
robbed frequently"
My dear fellow" said the bishop,
you alarm me. OF course, IL you
really think so, l will keep 1t here
1t would break my heart to lose that
money; it was so hard to get"
You aren't going to lose it," Brown
said; "of course not, The people are
going TO have their church and the
children their tree, and the little maid
--Florence-her dolly. But keep the
money here with you. This is wild
country, Il rough country, and who
| knowsY'
Perhaps l had better hide it," said
the bishop. I'm my shoe, eh?''
Brown smiled indulgently. Sure
ly," he said, chats quite an idea; youl
shoe by all means
The bishop unlaced his shoe and lait
the fiat package against his foot.
Il wonder" Brown said, whether
you will ever know how glad am tina
met you, bishop? You will, ut al
events, never know how much l have
learned to like YOU"
"My dear boy" said the bishop
"how nice of you. It's so pleasant t.
be liked, and l am often lonely
enough. AS for you'll l were a'
young as you are, would not be alon,
ut Christmas time"
II think you would II you We're me,
Brown said, slowly.
|
The train had stopped for watel
and the conversation of the BISHOP
and his guest ran along in desultor,
way for some moments.
"The train is stopping for II lonl
lime" said the bishop. Brown nod
ded; his throat was parched and dry
II wonder why" said the bshor
and just then the conductor of the rea
sleeper came in.
TITS hold-up," he said. '',rhe
have gotten the engine and expires
away. We must make an effort to fol
low them.''
The bishops face was full of anxi
ety.
How terrible he said, land t.
happen right here In my working line
Let us go at once to the aid of thos,
poor fellows; they may be killing
them"
"They've no time for that" the con
ductor said. 1--WE were carrying big
sum of money-they evidently knew
| lhat-and that is what they want"
1--WE ought to hurry" Brown said
"Wat just a moment until l can get
my revolver-it's in my valise." He
| delayed them n moment or two easily.
Leaderless and excited, no one knew
| Just what to do, and when the little
body OF men got started he knew the
| others were safe. But as they saw the
| missing train, the engine moved slow
ly backward to meet them. They We're
soon talking wildly, shaking their
heads over the shattered remains of
the once sturdy express car, and lend
| ing helping hand to the daZed eX-
press messenger. Nancy was able to
| sit up, but he was speechless, and of
| the robbers there were only the marks
| Of their horses hoofs heading for the
river. The train moved on toward Me-
dora, and Brown went back to the
bishops car with him. The bishop was
much overcome.
my dear boy" he said, what n
| dreadful thing, and how nearly l lost
my little all. How can ever be CRATE
full enough that you made me keep the
money!"
"rhat is one of the few good i'm
pulses ever had" Brown said.
| ut is the beginning" said the bish-
op, g will you not say so?'
81 will remember" Brown said.
At Medora they parted. The bish-
ops car was laid Off.
"Do not forget me-" the bishop said,
"and thank you for the Christmas tree
and everything"
"Good-by," Brown said;"buy very
large doll for that little maid" And
he watched the bishops car eagerly
until IL was out OF sight.
And some days later, In one of their
numerous retreats, he met with the
others to divide the spoil. Their plan
was to go over to England or Aus
| tralla, where the notes would not be
recognized, and could be easily ex-
changed. They were loud in their
praises OF his shadowing, proud of
their own success. They divided the
money up fairly and put each portion
In fat canvas bag.
Brown looked at his slowly and then
he counted out some notes and threw
| them on the table. They stared Mt
| him.
"Thats yours" he said; "dlvide 1t
up among you"
Rawley looked at 1t.
1.-TWO thousand dollars" he said,