The record-union., 1897-02-08
HAD NO TIME TO WASTE.
The Interruption of Train Robber
Annoyed Him.

jim McCOrd We1Sned ABOUT IIU
pounds and had scraggly whiskers. But
for all that he was as ''nervy" as any
other gambler that ever lived, and
would cheerfully battle with his fists if
need be to emphasize his rights. And,
as he was an expert boxer, he seldom
got much the worst of such an encoun-
ter.
Once, travelling from one county fair
in Nebraska to another, Jim found him.
self so reduced in pocket as to make a
double seat in the Gay coach preferable
to berth in the sleeper. He coiled up
and was doing a fair job of work at
sleeping when the train stopped with a
jerk, seven shots rang out, and at the
door of the coach appeared a rough
looking young farmer. with a bandana
handkerchief covering his face and a
pistol shaking nervously in his hand. 1t
was holdup all right, and everyone
in the car with one exception sent his
hands heavenward.
McCord didn't He was asleep.
The man with the gun worked his
way down the coach, gathering valua-
bles as he progressed, until he came to
McCord.
Here, Wake up, What have you
got?" the train robber demanded.
Go on away, Don't bother mel" Nc
Cord growled.
Give me your money" the other In
sisted, presenting the gun.
McCord was awake now.
MY friend" he said, you may be
a good thief, but you are a blamed poor
Il; he
here crouched like toad in seat If
had money enough to ride in Pull
man? Go away" And he dropped
back to sleep again.
The train robber was nonplussed.
Say" he said, Il want what you've
got. Shell OUT
''If you don't quit bothering me and
waking me from an uneasy but valued
Sleep" said McCord, you will regret il
seriously. Go away, tell YOU
The farmer looked up and down the
car for an inspiration as to what to do
None came and he again gave atten-
ton to McCord, who had by this time
returned to his doze.
I've got to have your money" he
said
McCord reused himself. We'll" he
said. Il see we are bound to come tC
it. Now, 1 have not interfered with
your business in this car, and it is nc
more than right that you should re-
frain from mixing in mine. My busi-
ness is to get some sleep. But you in
trude yourself and we will have tc
settle the matter once for ALL"
"Biff''
| 1t was his fist which made the last
monosyllabic remark, and in half a
minute it was raining bandana hand
| kerchiefs and revolvers and hair and
old clothes, and the passengers were
under the cushions. In a minute Nc
| Cord had the farmer ON the floor and
was batting his head against the iron
uprights of the seats. Several of the
| other passengers came forward and
wanted to help tie the fellow up and
take him on to the next big station.
Thanks, gentlemen said Jim, "bU
T think we won't do that. / never in
terfere in other peoples business. II
any Of you had wished to arrest this
man the time to do it was when he was
negotiating directly with you and not
when he and 1 were trafficking. The
only tnlnS nave against MN Is NE
| temporary arrangement of my plans
which contemplated sleep. If We keer
him on board I shall naturally feel a
sort of responsibility for him, and will
not be able to rest as calmly and re-
! posefully as l wish. 1 am going tC
| throw him off right here and if any
| Of YOU want to capture him then, why
that's your affair. in which l shall not
mix" And conducting the culprit tc
the end of the car he evicted him into
space.
| Then he went back and curled up and
was in a moment blissfully asleep
| Chicago Record.