The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-04-22
IA rio COAI nER RAWN WAS HERE THE AVERAGEA
IHowma psnkn
al Central
| sInNecio
T
A BLUFF THAT won
HOW Mr.. PERKINS ILLUSTRATED
AN ARGUMENT.
Showed How Easily Bandits Can In
tlmidate a TralnIoad Of Passengers
Object Lesson Not Enjoyed BY
FelIow-TraveIers. n rnl

II was about o'clock in the even
ing OF q summer day on a western
bound train passing through thickly
wooded country. A compartment at
the end Of the train had stood empty
all dA.
A slight. fair. quiet looking man
who had boarded the train during the
afternoon threw down his paper and
yawned. Then he looked around the
car. His nearest neighbor was man
from Omaha. stout. pompous, with a
very large diamond on his left hand
and q most imposing chain and seal
on his walstcoat Mr.. Perkins sug-
gested the possibility OF a quiet game
OF cards. Three other men willingly
Joined them, and they took possession
OF the compartment, playing quietly
for small stakes.
Reynolds, n man from Chicago. won
steadily. As he pulled a handful Of
chips toward his steadily increasing
pile. Mr. Perkins laughed a little.
IF we were playing for larger
stakes, I'm afraid you'd and yourself
growing unpopular" he said.
TN not exactly growing rich" an
swered Reynolds, even at this rate.
I'm afraid this pile wouldn't mean
much to a professional gambler"
or train robber.' suggested Mr..
Perkins.
That's a thing I never could I'M
derstand." said the man from Omaha.
How ave or sir men can actually
hold up train with from one 10 two
hundred people on II and have them
absolutely at their mercy Is simply In
comprehensive TO me-"
ut Is partly" said Mr.. Perkins, -
matter OF pure nerve. and partly the
advantage OF the man with the gun.
Now what could any OF us do. for In
stance. II we should be attacked BY
train robbers3"
1T doesn't happen very often In
these days" said one Of them.
Mr. Perkins looked At him a minute.
NO." he said, mot - often as II
used 10. stiil. we read OF something
Of the sort every once In a while. Now,
this Is Just the place for IT," He
laughed a. though the fancy pleased
him. Now | venture TO say that Q
man who knew his business could
pretty nearly 30 through this car and
take what he wanted. What would
you do. Mr.. Reynolds. II man held
a revolver at your head and asked for
your wstch7" --.o.. .r
Reynolds laughed. We'll" he said.
II couldn't do much else but hand Il
over"
do you carry arms when you
traveif" asked Perkins OF the man
from Omaha
why. no." said the man from Oma-
ha. Il never carry a gun. anyway"
And youl" said Mr.. Perkins. turn
ing TO the other two men and smiling
as he felt he had convinced them.
Neither Of them did.
Mr.. Perkins laughed. rose and shook
the ashes from his cigar out of the
window. Then he turned and delib-
erateiy closed and locked the door Of
the compartment He very quickly
and quietly drew from his pocket 70
volver and stood facing the COM
pany.
"Gentlsnen.' he said, u believe
have the advantage. ! will trouble
you. please. for your wallets and your
watches"
II was a curious scene, as the four
men stood facing him. A man holding
a loaded revolver and too far away
10 be reached by a blow has. a. Mr..
Perkins suggested, the advantage in
the situation.
III you VIII place your watches %
this chair" said Mr.. Perkins very
pleasantly, u viii take care OF them.
No. ! would not advise you 10 lin
that chair. Mr.. Reynolds. There are
six balls In my pistol. and ! shant
miss one OF them. though you may
NV N"'N 80 - -f