Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-03-17

friend Reinhardt" the rascal began. I'VE
are mp TO n fat job. and though you got
mo locked up for five years yon snail nave
your honest share of tho profits In an
hour the mailcxpress is to pass this cross
ing. 1t must not pass. Do you under.
stand. comrade:'
The woman on the floor gave loud
cry and the Waterman turned deathly
pale.
What are you going to do, you dcvils:'
he said between his teeth
"Oh, a trinc TO nights express car
ries. as YOU know besides the registered
mail. the cash receipts for the month. You
have the tools and understand how 10
handle them. You will break mp three or
four rails; tho rest is our affair.
''You devil :"
Gently my friend. You will get your
share of the spols In this darkness we
can work with perfect safety. and by the
time relief train arrives we'll be far
away"
"Scoundrcl :" the Waterman cried. DO
you realize thar lives will be lost Z:
so much the better. There will he
something in their pockets. Well, will
YOU do the job"
The Waterman made no reply. Wrath
and honor made him spcechless.
Once more ask you if you will do
it,"
"Never"
Very we'll We are beaten. but we
will, at least reward your faithfnlness.
Bind this honest man"
A fearful struggle cnsued. but Reinhardt
was soon ovcrpowered.
Now take the woman and lay her across
the rails. Then bind the faithful watch.
man to tho signal pole, where he can see
the express 90 by. He must he at his
post iIn. ha. ha -
Rcnhardt cried out in terror {; but the
train robbers prepared to carry out the
command of their leader.
MY wife my wife. stop. VIII DO II
Don't harm my wife,
"Go ahead then. There is no time "a
lose lnbind him. But no foolishness
Reinhardt II YOU do anything suspicious
III shoot you down. and your wife Will be
put across the rails
The Waterman did not speak another
word. IIc quickly fetched his tools ant
went out with his tormentors The ralr
was stil falling In streams. With three
| rifles pointed at his head, Re!nhardt per
formed his awful WORK. When the sec
and rail had been taken out the poor mar
sunk unconscious to the ground
That will do" Stein remarked to hi
associates. The train will so TO tn
| devil, and everything in II belongs to us.
| The clock on the watchman'S hous
|
| express R"inhardt heard it. He spran!
| M with q cry. and before the robbers coul'
| prevent il. reached the signalpol". Stein
| however. overlook him before he coul'
carry out his intention, and fellcd IN
man TO tho ground with the butt Of hi
| rifle.
Bind him and throw him TO his wifi
| in the house. There they may keep eac
other company
The wAtchman was thrown iik" 10
into The house. and the robbers made pre-
| partitions for carrying out their purpose
| 4 dull roaring noise was heard far away
In q few moments the two red headlight
nupearnd The train was within n fey
yards Of the nearest watchman's houS
when the signal lights outside suddenl
changed color. The whSiling OF the loco
motive and the iarring noise OF the brake
announced that the express had bee
stopped,
The amazed Stein was in Reinhardt
room in three leaps. The Waterman IN
wrgglcd, like worm, 10 the switch tahl
Kneelmg there. he had, with his teetl
given the signal to the nearest w0tchma
to stop all trains.
A shot from Stems rinc follcd the III
fortunate man 10 the ground. Then IL
plotters fed. and loft the explanation {
the mysterious stopping of the express I
the supcrnt cndont, who was Just arrlyin
on his lcver-car.