The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-02-13


the Daltons.
1t at last determined 10 make one des-
perate attempt to warn the uain-dis-
patcher. and thus save the train from
robbery. / did not believe the villains
would shoot, and felt that although
they might use me roughly for my at
tempt. my duty To the company de-
manded that / should make 1t and meet
the consequences.
Waiting until heard the dispatcher
respond TO a report OF the belated train
from Mulhall. but two stations below.
and knowing that he was at his table
| rose and bounded toward my instru-
ment
"Trai--''
got no further. There was a loud
report, felt heavy blow accompanied
by singing sensation on my right
thigh, and sank to the floor
You cussed fool, that's yer game. is
il? Lucky fur you my gun went or
afore got it raised, or that shod'd
TUX you whar' it'd a done more
good"
They picked me up and threw me
roughly on the bench, eursing me in a
fearful manner for my attempt to
thwart them in their plans. ] knew
had been shot through the thigh, but
from the absence OF severe pain felt
sure the bone had not been broken.
The train must be nearing Wharton.
the next station south, ard after pass
ing there no earthly power could pre-
vent it from falling into the hands of
the scowling villains who sat near me.
The instrument had been quiet for a
long time, and l laid trembling with
anxiety expecting every moment to
hear Wharton report the passing OF
No. 4.
"Click! Click. B-r-r-r-r click!"
What caused the instrument to act
so queerly? Then, in clear clickings |
heard the dlspatcher's call. Wharton
was about to report the train-but, no!
My own Office signal was signed to the
call. What did it mean? The dispatch
er responded, and my heart gave
great throb of delight as heard these
words flashed over the wire:
This is CIR at Red Rock. Sd held
by train robbers In Office I have wire
tapped in loft. Stop No. 4, Wharton,
quicl"
II heard that, will hold 4 here all
right" Wharton broke in and said.
An order was sent him to hold the
train for further orders, and an ex-
planatory message sent to the conduc-
tor
Thank God, the train was safel un-
derstood 1t all now. The brave little
girl had heard the robbers when they
entered. had listened to our converse
ton, and recalling her former expert
ence in the dirty loft, had climbed up
there in the darkness, broken one OF
the wires and, striking the ends to-
gether, had been able to communicate
with the dispatcher. In the stiffness
of the night / knew she could hear
every click of the instrument below,
and work as effectively as If sitting at
the telegraph table.
God bless you. little girl, you have
done great work this night. Special
train with sheriff's posse will leave in
five minutes, and make run to Red
Rock in forty-five minutes Remain
where you will be safe in case of a
fight with robbers"
"Ohl I am so fearful Sd has been
killed" heard her say. II heard them
threaten to kill him and heard shot,
followed by shutting of feet"
In a tone of voice so loud knew she
could hear 1t, I said:
Men. | have been shot in the thigh
and am in pain. This bench is a hard
bed for wounded man. Won't you
carry me in and lay me on my bed in
the next room?"
Wat do we keer how you suffer af-
ter that bad break o. yours? Lay STILL
or you'll get more OF it,"
heard the little heroine report the
words to the dispatcher, and felt that
my object had been accomplished and
her anxiety relieved. In a moment
came message intended for my ears:
Brace up, Fred, for help is coming
We've got the best Of this game, but
am distressed at your condition, old
fellow. Grin and bear IL. l will be
with you the minute the train gets
here.-Cr."
(To be continued.)