West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1899-04-13
T--c sUcEFNDEI or TaE LETTses.

T--c sCcEFNoEIs or THE LETTERS.
II the Letters were safe, that was n
good Gcal more than was. The mo
mont the station master had made his
agreed upCA announcement he said TO
the walkers:
Had any news Of Mr.. Gordou:"
mo" said Lord Rallies. And as
the lights keep moving ina the town
they must stil lie hunting for him.
Il reckon they'll do considerable
more hunting before they fud him up
there, chucklcd the man. with a self
important manner. Hes hidden away
under this platform. "
mot right here?' heard Madge CRY,
but i had too much 70 do to take in
what followed. 1 was lying close to the
loose plank, and oven before the station
master had completed his sentence
was squirniing through the crack. AS
freed my legs l heard two shots. which
knew was the signal given by the cow
boys, followed by II shriel, of fright from
Madge, for which she WAS hardly to be
blamed. / was on my feet in an instant
ard ran down tho tracks at my best
speed. IL WASH with much hope Of es-
cape, for once out from under the plank
ing found, what had not before real
izcd, that day was dawning, and al
ready outlines at distance could be
seen. However was bound 20 do my
best, and l did it,
Before L had run 100 feet could hear
pursuels, and "a moment later revoly-
en- cracked, plowing mp the dust in front
OF me. Another bullet followed, and.
seeing that affairs were getting dcsper-
ate, l lodged round the end Of some
cars, only TO plump into tho arms OF IA
man running at full speed Tho col
! liaUn was so unexpected that we both
/ fell, and before L could get on my feet
some ono pumped down on top Of me
and l felt something cold on the back
Of my neck.
40 sill, yer sncal-il cCyCtc cf u
road agent" said the man, "or IN
/ blow yer noel, into hash "
j Preferred 60 ta,,c his advice and lay
quiet while the cowboys gathered From
all directions heard them coming. call
/ ing to each otncr that "tho skunk chat
/ shot the woman IL corrallcd, " and 9th
or forns oil tho same information. In a
moment was jorked TO my feet, only
| TO be swept off them with equal celeri-
/ ty and was half carried, half dragged.
/ along tho tracks. 1t wasn't as rough
/ handling rs 1 have taken on the foot
ball field, but didn't enjoy it,
In Il space Of time that seemed only
| seconds was close TO II telegraph pole;
/ but, BRIEF as the moment had been, 1.
/ fellow with lariat tied round his
waist was half way up the post. knew
| the mob had been told that had killed n
woman in the hold up, for the cowboy,
/ bad as he is, has his own standards, be-
4 yond which he won't 60 But i might
az well have tried 10 tell my innocence
| 90 the moon as 20 get them TO listen TO
| deniais, even If l could have made my
/ voice heard.
The lariat was dropped over the cross
/ piece, and as q man adjusted the noose
"a sudden silence fell. / thought il was
a little sense Of what they were doing,
! bat it was merely due 60 the command
| Of Baldwin, who, with Camp, stood
! jpst outside tho mob
! LET me say a word before you pull, {"
he called and then TO me he said, NOW
! will you give mp the property"
was pretty pale and shaly, but I
come Of stifIish stock, and ] wouldn't
| have backed down then, it seemed to
me, if they had been going TO boil me
| alive. / suppose it sounds foolish, and
| if had had plenty Of time L think my
! common sense would have made me
| crawl Not having time, was ON tho
/ point Of saying "No, " when the door
Of 2ls, which lay about 200 feet away,
! flew open, and out came Mr.. Cullen,
! Fred, Abort, Lord Rallies and Captain
| Ackland, all with rifles OF course IL
was perfect desperation for the five 10
tackle the cowboys, but they were game
| to do it, all the same.
How 1t would have ended I don't
know, but as they sprang off the car
/ platform Miss Cullen came out on it
and stood there, one hand holding on
to tho doorway, as if she needed sup