The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-11-09


T50~ hair and clean-cut features.
was slowly blowing rings of smoke in
the air as he lay back in the big arm
chair.
The other man. slight and clean sba-
ven, with singularly mobile face and
twinkling gray eyes, was looking over
a daily paper. Between them was n
small table, furnished with couple of
stands OF club soda and decanter,
which gave signs of having been well
used.
Gerald" said the small man all at
once, dropping the paper into his lap,
what do you think of train robbersY
The tall man looked up in lazy sur
prise. "Toppy Russell" he drawled
NOW. what in the name of all that's
wonderful ever put such a question as
that into your head"
The paper" explained the other;
"and seriously | ask you, what do you
think of train robbers?"
"And just as seriously | reply" re-
turned the tall man. that | think the
fellows who strip you of your watch
and valuables and depart with your
Gladstone or portmanteau are clumsy
rogues at the best. And the people
they ROCKWELL, they're a shade less ad-
mirable; for in every case have heard
of they appear to have acted like cow
ards or fools, and rogue's always
preferable TO either of these, to my
mind. And now that you have my can
did and doubtless, authoritative, opin-
ion on train robbers, please finish that
soda and try one of these cigars; they
are worth trying, if say it myself"
"Only one more question" said Rus.
sci. as he took the proffered weed.
"You laugh at the way railway travel
ers act in these little affairs. Now,
how would you act? Suppose a fellow
were suddenly to put pistol to your
cheek and insinuate q desire for your
watch! No one is near. You are alone
In the carriage. What would you do?"
"Td knock the pistol out of his hand,
while pretending 10 comply with his de-
mand. and throw him out the window
efter it,
Caruthers said this quietly and de-
termlnedly, ana Russell knew him too
well to suspect braggadocio, so he only
laughed lightly at his companions en-
phatlc reply and proceeded to envelop
himself in clouds of smoke.
well" said the tall man, looking at
his watch and starting up. Il must be
going. The express starts at T.45 and
I've to stop at couple of places be-
fore making the station And he rang
for his bag and overcoat.
Nov. Gerald Caruthers," said his
companion as Gerald was being helped
into his coat. remember what you
have told me. II hear of any attempt
at train robbery on the 745 express |
shall not write to you. but shall at once
have the track examined and the body
OF the robber discovered and Inferred
suppose You Will be willing to do that
much for your victim. won't you?"
"Oh, certainly" laughed Caruthers
and the next moment he had wrung
Russel's hand and had gone.
At the station he secured frst-class
ticket and then set about to find an
empty compartment if possible.
AS luck would have It the second
coach he looked into was unoccupled
and he quickly stored his portmantear
away, and. settling himself luxuriously
In the corner. uttered a silent prayer
that no one would come in to Interrupt
with the usual travellers commonplace
and platltudes. the nap he had in pros
pect.
He looked at his watch; only ono
minute remaining till train time, anC
already he heard the doors beina
banged to as the guard went hi.
rounds.
And then-then, just as he was put
ting his watch back into his poke
with breath Of relief the door OF til,
compartment was suddenly jerked OpeI
and, framed In the narrow opening, ap
peared the figure of a man of Sigh
stature. with gray beard and ben
shoulders.
He peered cautiously into the coach
nnd his eyes Travelled quickly and witt
apparent Indifference over the biz
frame Of Caruthers Then he stepped
In, and, with sll ht mol to Ca u hes
dropped a small handbag on the cush
toned seat. pulled his soft wool ha
over his eyes. sank down In one corne
of the compartment and thrust hi
hands deep into his trousers pockets.
Caruthers witnessed these movement
with some satisfaction. and, after
glance or two at his companion. and a
iDstnnt's look outside at the yelloN
lights which were flying by MS the ca
press gathered speed he spread out hl
legs. pulled hfs coat up about his ear
and proceeded to make himself con
Portable for the 120-mile ride befor
him.
Five minutes later lie was soun
asleep and making that fact unmlstal
able by the most tremendous snores.
But II Caruthers snored loudly hi
brain was fully as active as were hi
lungs. and. for a time he passe
through q series OF adventures 1
dreamland which were anything bu
unpleasant.
Then. suddenly. he was transporte
from q delightful fantasy into whs
seemed to him to be an immense habe
dashexss shop. where he found himse
uncegomontousIy set down before Z II
~ olA man, who insisted upon nttin
aronnd bis neck nest prodigious
- snd sua eoliss.
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