The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-04
patch the contents of a small basket
which had bought from k6fpe.

| patch the contents of a small basket
which I had bought from b4e.
After that I became somewhat
drowsy. None of the trains, so far,
had been more. than twenty minutes
late, and had reported each of them
promptly to headquarters when it
passed my station.
The temperature Of the Office must
have been 80 when I turned the lamp
down to a mere glimmer and again
settled back in the big chair about
1915. Through freight No. 252 from
the north would be due in quarter of
an hour. I hadn't heard it reported
up the line, but supposedsit would be
pretty nearly on time.
The storm appeared to be growing
fiercer, and I sat and Listened to It;
How long I listened I do not know.
A light pounding nearby made me
jump up.
"What can that be?" I asked my.
self. =,
The poun ar IN, as " louder. All
the instrumens. q i, & still and the
sound was dist,r 4
I stood almost breathless beside
the table.
In less than a minute I was
convinced where it came from.
In the back part of the Office were
the ticket windows opening respec-
lively into the mems and women's
waiting rooms. A heavy blue shade
on each window prevented any one
from seeing the interior of the Office.
These shades were always drawn after
the departure Of the last passenger
train for the day.
Some one had broken into the
women's room and was trying to force
open the window to the Office, using,
evidently, chisel and mallet.
The doors of that room were al
ways locked by the day man before
going off duty, and I made sure early
in the evening that that task had not
been neglected Moreover, as tramps
were not allowed in the station, and
it was easier to keep them out than to
put them out, I had also bolted the
doors of the mems room. Ed often
did that after II o'clock.
The safe, containing books, tickets,
and perhaps 5000 or $500 in cash, was
midway between the two windows and
about four feet from each.
For fully five minutes I stood per-
fectly rigid.
apparently the thief is uncertain
whether there is any one here"
thought. IF lie imagined there
wasn't, be would certainly smash the
window, iron guard and all, in short
order. Maybe he expects to find me
asleep and as soon as he prizes open
the window will thrust in q pistol and
order me to hold up my hands,"
How was I to defend myself? If I
went to the window, it would probably
mean prompt surrender or death, and
to hesitate much longer did not seem
likely to relieve the situation
IF I only had revolver" Ed
owned one, but he always carried it
with him.
resolved to start up one of the in.
strrlments in the hope that the loud
and sudden ticking might put the in
truder to flight.
Bending over the table I opened the
key on svire No. 16. The machine
did not 'respond. Realizing that the
dampness of the storm had interfered
with the current, I frightened the
spring of the relay.
"SF ST ST Ok IL Ok H."
The sounder was making those sig.
nails with great rapidity. The train
dispatcher was calling my office, and
the abbreviation meant, "Quick. We
want you to hold train.
I answered, and the query came
back clear and sharp:
"No. 1892"
MOI YET, SAID l.
IA for 252."
20. K" I replied, confidently.
The despatcher's command was to
hold the through freight for orders.
The noise at the window, which
ceased for minute or two, had now
recommended III earnest. Either tho
latch OF the easement must surely give
way very soon.
In order to stop No. 252 a red Ian.
tern would have to be hung outside
the station, and no time should be lost
in putting it there.
Perhaps the burglar has pals
guarding the building, and if 1 open
the door shall be overpowered and
the office will be in their hands. That
would never do. They must not know
that any one is here.
Thus I argued nervously to myself.
Than bo p,>1, ~ ~t,k