The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-09-02
EN- ALL
Did the Little Man From
Boston.
BLOCKED A HOlD-UP
And Put the Train Robber Out
OF Business--Had Lots Of
Nerve, But Didn't
Look IL.

as to how they'd act in case they
ever got involved in train or stage
stick-up, or hold-up, as you call 1t
back this way Myself, I've been
caught 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 whatso-
ever and delivered the goods with nary
a whimper. But l never figured ON
doing anything else. Before l ever
got held up at all always said to
myself that when the time arrived
for some fellow to poke a gun in my
face and request me to elevate my
arms I'd do what he asked me to do
without any question at all and let
him have all he could find on me
without any side-stepping or murmur-
ing. l considered that that was the
only sensible thing to do, and l con-
slider SO yet. So, while 1t cost me
heap more than l could really afford
to fork over my little valuables on the
three occasions the boys of the road
nailed me l always patted myself
on the back and told myself that.
while may not have been very hero
ic or daredevilish, did the wise
thing in getting away with an un-
punctured hide.
but I've aften met chaps that were
simply going to cut dog in two in
case anybody ever tried to stick them
up at the end of a gun. They were go
ing to decline to be held up and teach
the bandit or bandits lesson. It's
remarkable the bravery some Of these
fellows were going to exhibit when
ever any bold, bad proposition, with
or without 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 word rings through the car or
/ coach, Hands up!' and the last to take
them down when the-robber has fired
his little parting ;volley and taken to
the elongated cactus. But you can
never tell how mans going to act.
about six years ago | was riding
through southeastern Colorado on a
west-bound train. I was only making
a six-hour journey of 1t, and so took
the smoker and stayed there. There
were about two dozen men in the
/ smoker, all pretty comfortable-look-
ing chaps. A dyspeptic-looking little
man about forty years old with a Bos-
tonese dialect sat in the seat ahead of
me, and an hour or so after | board
ed the train he leaned back and en-
gagged me 10 conversation.
:" Belong out this way? he. asked
me in characteristic drawl.
Yep said 1.
:" Reason l 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 hear said l.
Ever find yourself mixed nip in
one of those affairs?' he asked me.
Couple times sid l.
i Did you let 'em go through you?
he inquired of me with searching
look.
Z" Don't you think otherwise for a
holy minute said /. 4 am my sole
remaining support, and in general
find life a pretty good game. It's the
best l know anything about, anyhow.
I" Well said the dyspeptic-lookine
little man, in his piping tones. I'D
Just like to see the loafers get any OF
my money, that's all! I'd just like
to catch them at it,
>"I couldn't help smiling amused.
ly.
Why, what would you do?' ask
ed him, grinning right in his teeth
couldn't have helped 1t to save me.
Never you mind sir, what Id do,
said the little man choppily I'd take
good care that they didn't get any oi
my property, however! I'd fix 'em
Yes, stree. the train robber doesn't
walk in shoe feather that's ever going
to relieve me of copper cent, and
don't you fail to remember that
THE little man, who, as | after
ward ascertained, was on his way tC
California for his health. looked sc
puff -toady and fierce while he was
getting off those brave remarks that
/ couldn't help but laugh in his face
That nettled him some, of course, but
L
mark or SO to him about tho general
character of train hold-ups. ,
My friend. said in conclusion
the only advice can give you is Il
any of these chaps ever comes along
your way and asks you to call heaven
to witness with your two little hands
pointing to zenith Just you do It
that's all. and do 1t in hurry; do II
a-running. be nice and good about 1t
and don't get gay; don't try to be
frivolous with a man that's got the
) edge on you with 45-caliber lesd-
! splitter t
Just let one of them try 1t with me
that's all!' exclaimed the little man
fiercely, and then we changed the sub
i ject ~ ~
\ about 8 o'clock that night we pull.
ed up at little station called Ty-
rome to give the engine a drink. VIZ
had only halted there about four min.
utes, but II was long enough. The