Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-04-18

platform without hesitation and wen
into the station. The might man" wa
sitting in his chair, nodding, but h,
walked up the moment spoke.
Don't speak my name said warn
ingly as he struggled to his feet, ant
then in the fewest possible words tolG
him what ] wanted of him--to find il
the pony | had ridden Camps or Bald
win's) was in town, and, if so. to learn
where it was and to get the letters OIL
the quiet from under the saddle flap
chose this man, first, because | could
trust him and, next, because had only
one of the Cullens as an alternative,
and if any of them went sneaking round
it would be sure TO attract attention.
1.-THE moment you have the letters put
them in the station safe, /" ended, land
then get word to me- -
and whcrell you be, Mr. Gordon?"
asked the man.
Is there any place about here that s
a safe hiding spot for few hours?" I
asked. Il want to stay till I'm sure
those letters are safe, and after that | II
steal on board the first train that comes
along"
Then you II want to be near here, :"
said the man. "I'll tell you've got
just the place for you. The platform
boarded in all round, but / noticed one
plank that's loose at one end, right at
this nigh corner and if you just pry it
open enough to get in and then pull the
board in place they'll never find you
THAT will do" I said, land when
the letters are safe come ont on the plat
form, walk up and down once bang the
door twice, and then say, That local
freight is late. And if you get chance
tell one of the Cullens where I'm hid
den
crossed the platform boldly, jumped
down and walked away But after 60
ing 80 feet l dropped down on my hands
and knees and crawled back Inside of
two minutes l was safely slowed away
under the platform in about as neat
hiding place as 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 as an additional precaution
l scoopcd ors. close to the side boarding, (
a trough long enough for me TO lie in
Then got into the hole, shoveled the
In heap close TO me, so that by a few .
sweeps of my arm / could cover my
whole body, leaving only my mouth
and nose exposed and those below the
level That made me feel pretty safe,
for, even if the cowboys found the loose
plank and crawlcd in, it would take I'M
common good eyesight i'll, the darkness
to find me. had followed out my liv-
ing grave to fit. and if / could have
smoked l should have been decidedly
Sleep dared not indulge
in, and the sequel showed that / was
right in not allowing myself that lux
ury.
l hadn I much more than comfortably
settled myself and let thoughts of
cigar and Il nap fit through my mind
when a row up the street showed that
The Jail breaking had been discovered
Then followed shouts and confusion for
, few moments, while a search was be-
ng organized, l heard some horsemen
'ide over the tracks and also down the
street, followed by the hurried footsteps
If half dozen men. Some banged at
he doors of the specials, while others
Knocked at the station door.
One of the Cullens servants opened
he door of 2lS, and | heard the sher-
If s voice telling him he'd got to search |
he car The darl1y protested, saying
hat the 'gentmun was all away and
,nly de miss inside" The row brought !
Mss Cullen to the door, and | heard
Ter ask what was the matter.
Sorry to trouble you, miss, " said the
heriff, but a prisoner has broken Jail,
nd we've got to look for him"
Escaped" cried Madge joyfully
How"
That's just what gifts away with
ne, ;" said the sheriff MY idee is
Don't waste time on theories, said
lamps voice angrily. Search the car. "
Sorry TO discommode a lady" said
he sheriff CALAMITY, but if we may
ust look around little?"
%
ew minutes ago. said Madge hest
atingly, land l don't know if they
Tould be willing"
Camp laughed angrily and said,
Stand aside there. " 4
Don't you worry" said the sheriff.
If he's on the car, he can't git away.
ven send Teller up for Mr.. Cullen,
lille we search Mr.. Gordon's Car and
ne station.
They set about it at once and used up
IN minutes i'll the task. Then heard
amp say:
Come. we can't wait all night for
omission to search this car. Go =
head.
Il hope you'll wait till my father
1mes, said Madge.
Now go slow, Mr.. Camp" said the
leriff I'VE mustn't discomfort the Ia
' if we can avoid it
II believe you're wasting time in or
or to help him escape" sputtered
amp, so angry as hardly TO be able to
-ticulate. IF you won't do your duty,
II take the law into my own hands
nd order the car searched.
"Nothin of the kind, 3" said the sher-
f. But when female is in question
gentleman, Mr.. Camp-yes, sir,
in duty bound to be per-
te."