The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-03-19
DYspEP1lc MAN IN A HoLD-UP.
Glorious Uncertainty in the At
titude Of People Toward
Train Robbere.
iNeav York San, |

"It's queer" said a Colorado mining
engineer, "but you never can tell how
a NJ an is going to act in train or stage
stick-up, or hold-up, as you jumpers
back this way cali it.
"About six years ago I was riding
through southeastern Colorado on a
west bound train. There were about
twenty five or thirty men in the smok-
er, all pretty comfortable-looking chaps.
A. dyspeptic-looking little man, about
40 years~old, with a Bostonese patois.
sat in a seat ahead OF me and an hour
or so after / boarded the train he en-
gagged me in conversation.
"sBelong out this way?' he inquired
of me in his down East drawl.
"'Yep,' said I.
"sReason / asked you that said he,
lis that I've heard there have been
lot OF rcbbsries on the railroads out this
way lately. That right?'
"'Pretty close said 7.
"tEyer find yourself involved in one
Of those affairs?' he asked me.
"'Couple times told him.
"'Dld you let 'em 60 through yon?'
ne asked me, with searching look.
"'Don't you think otherwise for a
holy minute said I. 4 am my sole
remaining support, and, in general, l
find life prettey good game. It's the
best I know anything about for sure,
anyway
"'Well,' said the dyspeptic-looking
little man in his piping voice. 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!'
"sWhy, what would you dor I asked
MIN, grinning right in his teeth I
couldn't have helped it to save me.
".Never you mind, sir, what I'd do =
said the little man, choppily. I'D take
good care that they didn't get any of
my goods, however! I'd fix 'em. Yes,
stree, the train robber doesn't walk in
shoe leather that's ever going to relieve
me OF copper cent, and don't you fail
to remember that, sir +!
"The little man, who, as I after
wards ascartained, was on his way to
California for his health, looked so
puf-toady and fierce while he was get
ting off these brave remarks that I
couldn't help but laugh in his face.
That nettled him a trifle, but / smooth
ed it oyer and made a remark or so to
him about the general nature and
character of stick-ups.
"'My FRIEND said / in conclusion,
the only ADVICE can give you is this +:
II any of these chaps eyer come along
your way and asks you to call heaven
to witness with your two hands point
ing to the zenith, just you do the same,
that's all, and do it in hurry do 1t a.
running be nice and pleasant about it,
aud don't get gay. Don't endeavor to
frivol any with a man who's got the
edge on you with a forty-fye lead
splitter
"'Well, just let one of 'em try it
with me, that's all = exclaimed the lit
tie man, and then we changed the
subject.
"Well, about 9 O'Clock that night
We pulled up at little station called
Tyrone to give the engine drink. We
only halted there about four minutes,
but 1t was long enough. The train
hadn't got more than five miles out OF
Tyrone before we heard lot of shots
up forward-the smoker was the second
Cur from the engine-and the train
care to q halt.
"rhe wheels had scarcely ceased to
revolve when the front door OF the
smoker was tho open with bang,
and the command rang through the
car like the crack of whip:
Everybody put 'em up-quick =
"a tall, raw-boned man, with strag.
Cling red mustache, stood in the door
calmly waving his gun from side to
side with the characteristic movement
OF an expert gun-fanner. He looked
business all over.
81 decided instantly-I'd put my
hands up before I'd done any deciding
however-that he wasn't any amateu,
and that he was going to get all that
was coming to him. I couldn't help
but notice that the dyspeptic-lookina
little man in front of me threw up his
hands with the rest, although he did q
little bit OF fumbling with his right
hand befor it went up In the air.
"sSeein' that my podner's busy keep
in tab out in 'front.' said the raw-boned
bandlt-he didn't wear any mask, and
there was certain devlish twinkle II
his eye as he spoke-tIll Just ask YOU
gentlemen to spring what you've 90,
on you with one hand at . time, as
pass along, and I'll do the rest.