Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-06-06
WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT. M0NDAYI JUNE 6. 1904

nandcar c1arterod over~tne nsnfystres, a sweating man pumping at the levers, l with his eyes turned fearfu1ly over his | shoulder. "Guamo Siding's deady' call l ed the dispatcher's operator from his desk. T can't raise him at all. He's ] lit out or they've got him, one or the other Whats the orders for HIM? l He's cut in on the board and got the news hot off the wire. Guess he's rat tied some"
 "H-M' was Haney's Mill. the next station east of Guamo Siding. 'Tell him to keep his mouth shut!'' roared | the dispatcher, snatching up the mes l sage from Guamo and rushing to the rail to meet the superintendent, who had burst through the doorway. "Herc read this, bossr' The dispatcher thrust the message into the superintendents hand and then was back at the oper ators shoulder.
 Outside in the yard the western mail l lay at the platform. a fresh engine backing down through the switch "Hold her five mfuutes,2 the dispatcher ordered, .and tell those deputies to hurry. Have you heard from Tower yet? Ring up on the phone there. We can't wait all night"
 But Tower himself at this moment hustled into the office. 'It's all right" he cried Flanders is one of my men. He's daisy. thought they'd stretch ed him out. Your men ready? I'm go- ing too.'
 The dispatcher jumped from his chair and strode down the room. Where's that idiot Piercy?' ,he demanded. "Ain't he ready yet?"
 "He's coming, sir" was the answer.
 "Coming, is hep growled the dis patcher testify. He's always coming, but he doesn't ever seem to get any where. Oh, here you are, are you, Piercy?''
 The road detective hustled in, q crowd of deputies at his shoulder. "What's the orders?" be asked. The dispatcher thrust the message into his hand and then pushed him toward the door, Read that and git!'' he cried. 'sThe old man and Towers going too. They'll tell you what to do"
 The armed men at PiercY's back turn ed right about, and the company troop ed down the stairs. "There'H be hot time in Guamo tonight all right" mus ed the dispatcher. "Wish I was with 'em."
 Night had fallen, and the yard gleamed with switch lights like field of fireflies when the western mail drove out into the open. Tower and the superintendent armed with short barreled riot guns, sat in the cab with the engineer. Don't keep lem wait. ing" the superintendent cautioned the oily man at the levers. sI wouldn't disappoint them for the world" The engineer nodded, and the locomotive, toiling with harsh breath up the long ascent cleared the summit with a bound and ran rolling and swaying on the long down grade. "Guamo's the first stop,' laughed the superintendent ssWe go by there kiting usually. but tonight we'll tackle the stretch sort of slow. I guess you'd better cut her down to half speed, Bill''-this to the engineer-"when we leave the mill. shouldn' tSwonder but they've arranged to chuck us off the iron"
 In the baggage car behind, Piercy, all excitement, hustled about with his orders. Long before they reached Ha- ney's Mill he had the lights out and the doors opened. Little heaps of buck shot cartridges lay within easy reach, and on the car platforms aft other dep uties guarded the weakest Hanks of the train. Then the locomotive whistled first the long yard signal, then tw. short hoots. That's Guamow cried Piercy. Get to your places, men! An mind don't shoot the man in the white hat.'
 Ahead, in the locomotive, Tower peer ed across the engineers shoulder into the distance, scanning every foot of the iron bands glittering in the shine of the headlight There's a curye ahead" :" the engineer explained. Ut won't show till we've rounded the By thunder, there they are nowv'
 A black monument of railroad ties crested by red lantern stood in the middle of the track Tn the broad angle of light they saw for an instant fig. ure, ghostlike in the pale glow, stand ing staring upon the approaching train. Then it was gone. The brake shoes bit with loud complaining upon the wheels; the cars shocked together, their buffers clanking, and with heave on her springs the engine came to a halt. Hands up!' roared voice out of the darkness beside the track. Hands up!'
 A dim shape disclosed itself, men acing figure with Winchester pointed