Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-16
PEPPERED THE BANDIT

"Ildt ulIIeT6Ht ICedS men nave as 10 now
they'll act in case they ever get involved
in a train or stage 'stick-up,' or hold-up,
you call it back this way. Myself, I've
been stuck-up at the point of one or more
guns on three different occasions, and on
each occasion I've pointed my two mitts
heavenward without any fuss or feathers
whatsoever. and delivered the goods with
nary a whimper. But L never figured on
doing anything else. Before 1 ever got
held up at all l always said to myself that
when the time arrived for some fellow to
poke gun into my face and request me
to elevate my arms, I'd do what he asked
me to do without any questions at all, and
let him have all he could find on me with
out any sfde-stepping or murmuring. l
considered that that was the only sensible
thing to do. and I consider so yet. So,
while its cost me heap more than I real
ly could afford to fork over my little valu-
abies on the three occasions the boys of
the road have nailed me, L always patted
myself on the back and told myself that
while I mayn't have been very heroic or
dare-devilish. l did the wise thing in get
ting away with complete and unpunc-
tured hide.
But I've often met chaps who were SIM
ply going to cut dog In two in case any
body ever tried to stick them UP at the end
be held up, and teach the bandit or bandits
a lesson. It's remarkable the bravery some
of these fellows were going to exhibit
whenever any bold. bad proposition with
mask tried to coerce them into handing
over the stuff they had on them. In nine
cases out OF ten these large and ample
takers are the very first to cast up their
paws when the command rings through the
car OF coach, Hands up!' and the last to
take them down when the robber has fired
his little parting volley and taken to the
tall cactus. But you can never tell how a
mans going to act in stick-up.
7 riding
through southeastern Colorado on west
bound train. l was only making six
hour journey of it. and so / took the
smoker and stayed there. There were about
all pretty comfortable looking chaps. A
dyspeptic-looking little man, about forty
years old. with Bostonese dialect, sat in
the seat ahead of me. and an hour or so
after l boarded the train he engaged me
in conversat ton.
Belong out this way?' he asked me
in characteristic New England drawn.
yep, said l.
Reason 1 ask you that said he. is
that I've heard there have been a lot of
hold-ups on the railroads out this way
lately. That right
Pretty near said /.
Ever find yourself mixed up in one
Of those affairs? he asked me.
Couple times told him.
Did you let 'em go through you?" he
asked me, with searching look
Don't you think otherwise for a holy
minute said /. I am my sole remaining
support, and. in general, find life a pretty
good game: It's the best 1 know anything
about, anyhow
We'll said the MISUNDERSTANDING little
chap. in his piping drawl, I'd just like to
see the loafers get any of my money. that's
all I just like to catch them at it,
L couldn't help smiling amusedly.
Why, what would you do? l asked
him. grinning right in his teeth-I couldn't
have helped it to save me.
Never you mind. sir. what d do said
the little man. choppily. I'd take good
care that they didn't get any of my goods.
however! I'd fix 'em! Yes, Sire. the train
robber doesn't walk in shoe leather that's
ever going to relieve me of copper cent,
and don't you fail to remember that
The little man, who. as 1 afterward as
certained, was on his way to California
for his health, looked so puff-toady and
fierce while he was getting off these brave
remarks that I couldn't help but laugh In
his face. That nettled him trihe but /
smoothed it over and made a remark or
so to him about the general matter of
train hold-ups.
My friend said 1 In conclusion, the
only advice | can give you is. if any of
these chaps ever comes along your way and
asks you TO call heaven TO witness with
your your two hands pointing to the zenith
just you do it, that's all. and do it in a
hurry; do 1t a-running: be nice and good
about it. and don't get gay; don't endeay or
to be frivolous with a man that's got the
tHSN Oit Soh Will ii IollS -Hfe tdHDtT ltdt-
splitter
Just let one of 'em try it with me-
tEats all! exclaimed the little man fierce
", and then We changed the subject
We'll, at about o'clock that night we
pulled up at little station called Tyrone to
give the engine a drink. We only halted
there about four minutes, but 1t was long
enough. The train hadn't got more than
five miles out of Tyrone before we heard a
lot of shots up fOrward-the smoker was
the second car from the engine-and the
train came to halt. The wheels had
scarcely ceased to revoive when the front
bang. and the command rang through the
car like the crack of whip:
Everybody put EN- up! Quick"
"A tall, raw-boned man. with struggling
red mustache. stood in the door calmly
waving his gun from side to side with the
characteristic movement of an expert gun
tanner He looked business all over / de-
eiced instantiy-fd put my hands I'D before
I'd done any deciding however-that ne
wasn't any amateur, and that he was going
TO get all that was coming to him
couldn't help but notice that the dyspeptic-
looking little man in front Of me threw I'D
his hands with the rest although he did a
little bit of fumbling with his right hand
before 1t went up In the air.
Seem that my podner's busy keepin
tab on tn loco-driver.' said the raw-boned
bandlt-he didn't wear any mask and there
was certain devlish twinkle IN his eve as
he spoke-I'u jes' ask you gentlemen to
opiiiS WHdt you We got on YOU with one
hand at time, as 1 pass along and I'll do
the rest
He Wore hickory bag suspended by a
string around his neck, in front of him
rag similar to these worn by carpenters
Or fathers for holding nails-and he inst
reached out his left hand and dropped wal
lets. watches and chains and loose rolls
into the bag as he passed along None of
the victims had a chance to hold out any-
thing on him, for he was one of the eagle
eyed species. and he seemed to see all
hands in the car at once. He walked side
ways down the aisle so as to make sure
That he wouldn't be plunked from behind
after passing along. He was a scientist in
his business, all right, was that raw-boned
man. and he didn't miss a trick. Every
man up forward unquestionably passed over
MS belongings to be dropped into that
roomy bag. The little man with the Bos
tonese accent amused me- with his hands
sticking UP there rigid as poles. that I
almost forgot to worry about what 1 was
going to lose when it came my turn. He
had gone as white as a sheet. and he
looked more ghastIy as the raw-boned rob-
Der approached him. Finally 1t came to
his turn. The robber looked him over with
half grin.
Sorry. my sawed-off friend the rob-
Der started to say. when. puff! the right