West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1899-03-30


however, that there might bo n spy
lurking somcwhcrc, for il was likely
that Camp would hope 20 get some Clew
of the letters by keeping watch on tho
station and the cars. Thiniing boldness
the safest course, walked OH to the
platform without hesitation and went
into the station. The might man" was
sitting I'm his chair. nodding, but he
walked mp the moment spoke.
Don't speak my name, F" said warn
ingly as he struggled to his feet and
then in the fewost possible words told
him what / wanted of him--to find II
tine pony had ridden Camps or Bald.
win's) was in town, and' if so. 10 learn
where 1t was and to get the letters on
the quiet from under the saddle flap. |
| chose t,is man, first because / could
trust him and, next, because had only
one Of the Cullens rs an alternative
/ and If amy of them went sneaking round
ii would lie sure To attract attention
The momcIs you have the letters put
| them in the station safe, " ended, "and
then got word To- me-. >"
And where'll you be, Mr. GordonP"
asked the man.
rs there any place about here that's
IA safe hiding spot for "a few hours?" /
asked. II want 10 stay till I'm sure
those letters are safe, and after that III
steal on board the first train that comes
J along"
Then you'll want 20 be near here, "
said the man. I'm tell you-I've got
! just the place for you. The platform =
boarded i'll all round, but / noticed one
| plank that's loose Mt one end, right at
this nigh corner, and il you just pry il
| open enough to get in and then pull tho
board in place they'll never find you.
THAT viii do" 1 said, land when
the letters arc safe come out ON the plat
form, walk up and down once, bang the
door twice. and then say, That local
freight is late And II you get chance
tell one of the Cullens where I'm hid
den. 4"
I crossed the platform boldly, jumped
down and walked away. But after go
ing 30 feet dropped down on my hands
! aid lnces and crawled back. Inside Of
two minutes / was safely slowed away
under the platform in about as neat n
hiding place as a man could ask In
fact, If had only had my wits enough
about me to borrow revolver Of the
man, l could have made pretty good
defense, even if discovered.
/ Underneath the platform was loose
gravel, and IA an additional prccaution
/ / lscoOped out, close to the side boarding,
trough long enough for me to lie in.
Then i got into the hole, shoveled the
sand over my legs and piled the rest up
IN heap close 10 me, so that by few
| sweeps Of my arm 1 could cover my
whole body, leaving only my mouth
and nose exposed, and those below tho
level. That made me feel pretty safe,
for, even If the cowboys found the loose
plank and crawled in, il would take un-
common good eyesight in tho darkness
to find me. had followed out my liv-
ing grave TO fit, and If 1 could have
smoked | should have been decidedly
comfortable. Sleep dared not indulge
in, and the sequel showed that / was
right in not allowing myself that lux
ury.
hadn't much moro than comfortably
settled myself and let thoughts Of n
cigar and nap fit through my mind
when n row up the street showed that
the Jail breaking had been discovered.
.hen followed shouts and confusion for
few moments, while "a search was be-
ing organized. l heard some horsemen
ride over the tracks, and also down the
street followed by the hurried footsteps
Of half dozen men. Some banged at
the doors Of the specials, while others
knocked at the station door.
One of the CullcnS servants opened
the door Of 21s, and heard the sher-
IFS voice telling him he'd got TO search
the car. The darky protested, saying
that the 'gentmun was all away and
only de miss inside. The row brought
Miss Cullen TO the door, and heard
her ask what was the matter
Sony 70 trOnlne you, miss, " said the
sheriff, but prisoner has broken Jail,
and we've got TO look for him"
'EscapedP' cried Madge joyfully.
"How?"
"That's just what gifts away with
me, " said the sheriff my ideo is''-
Don't waste time on theories, " said
Camps voice angily. search the car. d"
! Sorry 30 discommodo a lady. " said
the sheriff Rallantly "but If we may
just look around little?"
MY father and brothors went out n
few minutes ago." said Madgo hest
tatingly, "and don't know If they
would be willing"
Camp laughed angrily and said,
"Stand aside there
Don't you worry, d" said the sheriff.
! IF he's on the car, he can't git away.
Wen send n fellor up for Mr. Cullen,
while wo search Mr.. Gordon's car and
/ the station.
They set about &c at once and used up
ten minutes in the task. Then heard
| Camp say:
Come we can't wait all night for
\ permission to search this car Go
/ ahead.
Il hopo you'll wait till my father
/ comes, said Madgo
Now go slow, Mr. Camp" said the
/ sheriff. ''Wc mustn't discomfort tho la
! dy if we can avoid it,"
II believe you're wasting time in or.
| dcr 10 help him escape" sputcrcd
( Camp, 80 angry as hardly 10 BE- able 20
/ articulatc. If you won't 60 your duty.
/ IN take the law into my own hands
/ and ordCr the car searched"
'Eothin Of tho kind, &" said the sher.
! III. 'But WHOM female is i'm question
n gentleman, Mr. Camp-yos. sir, q