The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-11-18
ONE WINTER NIGHT.

When | read Of adventures there comes
to my mind my encounter wiki a notorious
outlaw by the name of Ed Dalton. For
years he had robbed mail coaches and way
laid and murdered travellers who were be-
lated and so unfortunate as to meet him.
was employed by the Northern Pacific
railway as telegraph operator. 1t was in
the latter part of the winter that the most
terrible storm broke upon that section Of
the country that was ever known. The
wind blew strong gale from the north
west, and the air wss full of snow.
All trains were late, and had found no
time to leave my Office and take an express
package of s, 900 to the bank for safe keep
ing. The station was crowded and our safe
: small, so that usually deposited the com.
pany's money in the bank, not liking 10
risk it in the office. had an order from the
dispatcher not to go TO bed till after No.
had passed. This was the western bound
limited, due at Cameron at 1850.
1t was lonely night. The wires hummed
and sobbed in the wind as though they
could not Withstand the fury of the storm.
I had finished my work and was sitting
half asleep near the stove, which was we'll
filled with coal and red as cherry, when
sensation of some impending danger took
possession of me. Trying to shake it off,
walked to my desk, threw open the key and
asked the operator on the might trick" at
Hudson how No. 4 was.
ION time" clicked the instrument in re-
ply, and | stirred the fire, turned the blaze
of my lamp higher and sat down again.
For Is or 90 minutes l sat listening tothe
monotonous click so musical to the opera
tors ear, when | became conscious some
h..x Wei, 6ov nd
thought of the express package flashed
through my mind. AT the same instant a
crashing of glass was followed by gruff
voice saying:
Move and you are dead man,
l did not stir, but l realized that was
looking straight INTO six shooter. While
l was wondering how l could save the mon
ey, the robber broke out the rest of the win
dow pane and crawled in over my desk.
Oh, for some way to reach my trusty
bulldog" which was lying in full sight
under the ticket window! Useless wish.
Ordering me to rise, the ruffian calmlytook
my chair and proceeded to warm his chilled
members before cleaning out" the Office
all the while keeping his revolver pointed
at my head. CHANGING around, he spied my
pistol, and coolly put it in his pocket. AS
he arose he said:
well now am ready for business. |
will just trouble you for that little package
with the red seals that is in your safe"
Twas desperate enough to say anything.
and broke into loud harsh laugh as he
finished
WAS ever anything more lucky" l
cried, and my voice sounded like a croak
why, my friend, have been waiting for
chance to rob the express company for
month, and if you are bound to take the
package we will divide the contents and
skip together"
He looked at me moment with skep.
teal sneer.
"Bosh! Don't talk stuff Whatever you
do, be quick about it, and look a little out
that you play me no trick OF III finish
you"
turned the combination and drew tho
safe door open, making up my mind to
throw myself upon him if he moved his re-
volver away for an instant. 1t did not
seeM likely that opportunity would favor
Die, but as took the money from the safe
and handed it to him he lowered his
weapon.
The critical time had come! If l should
fail to oveTpower the fellow, it meant death
for me.
Isprang upon him with the strength of
mailman, and SO unexpected was the move
ment that we both went sprawling on the
floor, the revolver discharging itself harm.
lessly as we fell. The robber soon struggled
to his feet, and lifting me completely from
the floor forced me through the ticket win
dow.
But had wrestled often while at college,
and as l crashed through the glass whirl-
ed him around, throwing my left foot back
OF his in such way that the next instant
found him on his head in a corner. Wild
with excitement, pinned him to the floor.
pulling my old bulldog from his pocket
and changing the situation by placing the
nuzzle against his temple.
Lie still, my friend" l painted, ''or it
will be worse for you"
at that very moment / heard the famil.
lar whistle Of No. 4, which was approach