Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-02-28

'sylz,77'17~
foot
Querque, one from Laguna and foul
from Coolidge. This latter would have
looked hopeful but for the fact that il
was party of three women and man.
Going back beyond Lamy didn't give
anything, for the conductor was able to
account for every fare as either still in
the train or as having got off at some
point. My only conclusion was that the
tobbers had sneaked on to the platforms
1t Sanders, and gave the crew good
PRESSING down for their carelessness. OF
tourse they insisted it was impossible,
but they were bound to do that.
Going back to 81, got my telegraph
instrument, though I thought it waste
If time, the road agents being always
areful to break the lines. l told
brakeman to climb the pole and cot q
wire. While he was struggling up, Mia
Cullen joined me.
"Do you really expect to catch
them?" she asked
II shouldn't like to be one of them. :"
I replied
''But how can you do it?''
"You could understand better, Miss
Cullen, if you knew this country. You
zee every bit Of water Is in use by
ranches, and those fellows can t go more
than 80 miles without watering. So we
shall have word Of them, wherever they
60"
Lime cut, Mr.. Gordon" came from
overhead at this point, making Min
Cullen jump with surprise
"What was that?" she asked.
Iexplained to her, and, after making
connections, called Sanders. Much to
ny surprise, the agent responded !
was 80 astonished that for moment ]
sould not believe the fact.
"This is the queerest hold up Of which
I ever heard, said to Miss Cullen.
"Aw, in what respect" asked Albert
Cullen's voice, and, looking up, found
that he and quite number of the pas
sengers had joined u.s.
1.-THE road agents make us dump our
fire." said, land yet they haven't cut
the wires in either direction. can't see
how they can escape us. +"
"What funr' cried Miss Cullen.
II don't see what difference either
makes in their chance Of escaping, said
Lord Rallies.
While he was speaking I licked OF
the news Of our being held up and asked
the agent if there had been any men
about Sanders, or If he had seen any one
board the train there. His answer was
positive that no one could have done SO,
and that settled it as to Sanders. I asked
The same questions of Allentown and
which were the only places we
had stopped at after leaving Coolidge,
getting the same answers. That eight
men could have remained concealed ON
my Of the platforms from that point
vas impossible, and I began to suspect
magic. Then called Coolidge and told
If the hold up, after which telegraphed
he agent at Navajo Springs to notify
he commander at Fort Defiance, for |
the road agents would make |
or the Navajo reservation. Finally
,alled Flagstaff as l had Coolidge, di-
'ected that the authorities be notified of
he facts and ordered a special to bring
,ut the sheriff and posse
81 don't think" said Miss Cullen,
that l am a bit more curious than most
,eople, but it has nearly made me fran
ic to have you tick away on that little
machine and hear it tick back and not
understand word. F"
lad said and learned.
How clever of you to think of count.
ng the tickets and finding ont where
eople got on and off! never should
ave thought of either" she said.
1T hasn't helped me much, laugh
d rather grimly, Except to eliminate
very possible clew."
''They probably did steal on at one of
he stops, said passenger.
| shook my head. There ism t a stick
timber nor place of concealment on
hese alkali plains, replied, land it
-as bright moonlight till an hour ago.
/ would be hard enough for one man
, get within mile of the station with
ut being seen, and it would be impossi-
lie for seven or eight -
How do you know the NUMBER"
sked a passenger.
Il don't, - said. That's the num-
er the crew think there were, but ! ]
lyself don't believe it. "
why don't you believe the menr" ,
sked Miss Cullen. ,
First, because there is always tend ,
hey to magnify, and, next, because I
lie road agents ran away so quickly" I
81 counted at least seven." said Lord
allies. ,
well, Lord Rallies, said, II don't c
ant to dispute your eyesight, but il I
icy had been that strong they would I
sver have bolted, and if you want to I
y bottle of wine I'll wager that
hen catch those chaps We find there .
eren't more than three or four of
,arn