Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-08-25

Al
put the lamp in the window, though
so you'll know I'm all right" Tha
was great joke of ours, but Minnie
didn't laugh as she usually did.
"Mind," she said, "I'll watch for it
and if it isn't there, I'll come dow
after ,ou."
I'm station master st Y. Ou,
road is what's called the old line, ant
travel on it is light, mostly freight
At night the station is deserted, there
being no business for either telegraph
operator or ticket agent. This leave:
the station practically deserted after
sundown. It is only few rods from
our home, however, aud I feel that it's
uuder my eye all the time. I thought
of this.as walked back to the station
and I didn't half like the idea of al
that money being about.
I found Jim with his heels on the
desk, putting away at a good cigar.
"Not an ALARM" lie said, in his
joking way. "Not even mouse"
We chatted away for an hour OF
more, when Jim suddenly put down
his feet and yawncl heavily.
"Joe," he said, eff you don't mind
I'll go out aud take little stroll"
$50 ahead" I said, "but mind
you're not gone long"
After he had stepped out I was sor-
ry I let him go. The thought of be-
ing alone with all that money was dis
quieting. I followed him to the door
and looked out. It was bright
night and 1 saw Jim slip around the
corner. I knew he was after drink.
That was Jim's failing. That and
gambling.
went back and sat down. The
more thought about that money the
more I didn't like the idea. What
business had Jim to go away and leave
all the responsibility with me? OF
course. he didn, leave it asllssIiith ne,
lsbuthe left7altogether too big share.
A [ sat there grumbling a low tap on
the window overlooking the platform
attracted my attention I looked up.
The side of the building was in the
shadow, but I could see mans face
against the pane.
"Joe," said somebody outside.
supposed it might be one Of the Sec
ton hands and stepped across the
room
"What is it?" I called.
"Open the window, Joe," said the
voice.
Ipushed it up little.
SIS that you, Jerry?" ! called
There was no response. 1 put my
head through the opening and looked
up and down the line. Nobody was
in sight. Jut then I heard slight
noise behind me. I drew in my head.
Something seemed to crash into my
brain. A flash of binding light blind
ed me. Then al was dark.
When I came to I was tied in my
chair, my head was sore and wet, and
two men with strips OF black cloth
across their faces were looking down
at me.
''He's all right" said the shorter
man. The tall man nodded.
'Get the keys, he said in queer,
hoarse voice.
The shorter man felt in my pockets.
''Nct here!" he cried.
'They must be-" said the tall man,
in his hoarse voice.
:I tell vou they are not. Bring the
lamp"
The tall man took the lamp from the
window ledge and came closer to me.
But their search was in vain. The
tall man placed the lamp on the table,
while the other man put u revolver to
my ear.
"Come!" he said, "where are those
keys?"
Ny head was beginning to clear q
little. L saw it all. My wife had
taken the keys from my pocket be-
cause it was her way, and because she
thought I had no further use for them
until morning.
'sHe must have left the keys at
home," said the tall man hurriedly.
"Here, give him sheet of paper and
let him write note to his wife, ask
ing for them. The short man looked
up sharply.
''rll get them," said the tall man.
They pulled the table up to me and
spread out scrap of paper. The
short man loosened the rope and let
my right hand free. I reached to my
vest pocket half blindly and drew out
nv pencil. Still in q daze, I tried to
put my wife's name on the sheet. The
pencil refused to make mark. I