The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-28
Alice Clay's Love Affairs

THIS is the story of how an attempt
to rob a train settled question of
love. For few moments it looked as if
there would be no room left in life for
love affairs or anything else; but the
end was better than the beginning.
We're you ever fired upon by outlaws?
l had such an experience in the fall
of 1893 l was on train bound for the
territory. We were in southwestern
Missouri in a comparatively well-set-
tied region when our car windows were
shattered by bullets.
The most intense moments of life are
of short duration. ! think ii could no;
have been more than 40 seconds from
the time the firing began until we had
pulled out ahead and left the bandits
in the rear.
When the first bullet struck the win
dow in front of the car there was live
ly rush for the protection of the car
seats. Then other bullets ratified into
the car, which would have looked de-
serted if there had CHANGED to be an OBJ
server, but there wasn't. Every
mothers son of US was hiding between
the seats.
There was a sound at the forward
door, the conductor and brakeman
came in, dragging two men after them.
These prisoners were tightly bound and
gagged. They had evidently been
masked, but their DISCUSSES had been
pushed away from their faces. They
wore heavy leather belts from which
weapons had been extracted. Both the
conductor and the brakeman carried
pistols, which we afterward learned
had been captured from the train rob
bers. Their own weapons they hal
passed over to the engineer and fire
man.
Almost before the door could be
closed upon the newcomers we had
passed beyond the range of the bullets
from the men outside, and our engineer
was running at 60 miles an hour.
Dangers over!" announced the con-
ductor, shortly. Come and help fas-
ten these men to the seats"
There was a scramble and severa!
heads peeped over the backs of the
seats. Three or four of the men sprang
into the aisle and hurried toward the
prisoners. After they were securely tied
the conductor explained how the at
tempt to rob the train had failed
Because of the vigilance of the train
crew the robbers, who had secreted
themselves on the train, were captured
When the engineer had arrived at the
place where the train was to be stopped
in order that the gang might board the
train and assist in the robbery, the ex-
gineer had steamed ahead The baffied
men on the ground had fired their guns
into the train for very recklessness
and spite.
When we arrived at the next station
we reckoned up the casualties. The
fireman had been slightly wounded, the
door of the express car was full of bull
lets, and three windows in our car were
broken.
Besides the supply of bullets and
broken glass, we had two of the high
waymen. They were turned over to the
authorities, and the passengers re-
turned to the contemplation of a pretty
little romance which was developing un-
der their eyes.
a fresh-faced girl sat in one of the
rear seats of the car She was about %.
imagined. Her manner was dignified
and reserved, and she seemed to know
quite well what was going on. When
we left Sedalia those of us who had
liked to steal an occasional glance at
this pretty girl noticed that she seemed
embarrassed and confused.
AS turned in my seat, after looking
back toward her, noticed a squarely-
built young man standing in the aisle
He seemed oblivious to everything and
everyone but her. In few moments he
seemed to have come to a decision, fol-