The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-01-08
THE MAN WITH the
ZEBRA WAISTGOAT

[orlginaI.l

q mind to send II by you. Would you
care to undertake the dellveryT
didn't like the job, for we were in
the far west, where desperadoes
abounded. and II one Of them suspect
ed had so large an amount with me
murder would not stand IN his way to
possess It. But II | wished promotion
in the bank 1t would never do for me
to finch at such an offer, which was
really an order. So / accepted the
charge.
left the bank with thirty $1,000
bills In large pocketbook in the breast
pocket of my coat, OF course from the
start ! had my eye on everybody In
sight, wondering IL some one OF them
was not intending to rob me. One per-
son arrested my attention from the pc
culiarity Of his appearance. He was
standing on the bank steps when
went out looking carelessly up the
street. He wore green spectacles, q
very shabby dress suit and a plug
hat
The most remarkable feature OF
his apparel was a walstcoat with
stripes resembling those OF a zebra.
He was evidently down on his luck and
had picked up his clothes plecemeal,
where he could find them cast of from
their original owners. He paid no at
tention to me- Indeed, had no evil
dence that he was aware Of my ex-
istence.
Going to my room, l took a suit case
full Of clothes and on emerging noticed
the man with the zebra waistcoat on
the opposite side of the street looking
In at a shop window. His back was
to me, and I kept my eye on him till
had turned a corner. In this way ]
made sure he had not seen me come
out Of the house nor during my going
away from It, Proceeding to the sta
ton, / boarded the train, and as 1t
rolled out the car door opened. and
who should step In but the man with
the zebra waistcoat.
He gave me glance as he took his
seat, and / knew he had spotted me
for a victim. But why this fantastic
attire? Then 1t all rushed upon me
suddenly. II was to attract my atten-
ton from some confederate who was
keeping me in sight and who doubt
less had informed him of my proceed
Ing.
They could only have received
the information of my bearing the
money from some one in the bank who
had let II out for gain or unintention-
ally.
My heGet sank within me. But we
are a natural gamblers, and at once
laid ont "A game for my money and my
life, J picked up my sGit case, which
had deposited on the toJr, and held 1t
on my lap. Then l went to the water
cooler for drink, carrying the suit
case with me. Next l changed my
seat, never for a moment letting the
suit case out of my hand. Finally
opened II, pretending to make sure as
l did so that no eye was upon me, and,
thrusting my hand In between the
clothing, gave evidence by my express
sion that what sought was there.
Meanwhile an ugly looking man in a
wooden shirt and sombrero went and
Sat down by the man with the zebra
waistcoat and the latter gave him
some piece Of information which I
was sure referred 10 the money being
in the suit case. Not feeling that my
effort to throw the men or the scent
would avail-for when they robbed me,
not finding the money where they ex-
pected 1t, they would force me to pro-
duce It'll concluded to get OF the
train at the first stop, l did so and
saw the two men standing on the plat
form as well. As the train moved on
! stepped aboard, and my followers
r0-entered at the other end OF the car.
looked about me to see II there
was any one on whom could rely for
help. There were not half a dozen
persons, and they would all be fright.
ened out OF their wits the moment the
attacS was made. l saw my enc.
mics consulting earnestly and felt sure
the blow was about 10 fall The train
was running through a sparsely set
tied country. While looking ont OF the
window l saw a short distance ahead
a man standing In field holding three
horses. Suddenly the man with the
zebra waistcoat sprang up, seized the
bell cord and pulled II vigorously. II
happened that at the same time the
conductor came into the car for tick.
cts, The brakes were put on, and the
train slowed up. The conductor see.
ing no reason for stopping, angrily
gave signal to proceed.
Like whlriwind the two men dash
ed past me and as they did so seized
my suit case, Carrying II with them,
they jumped OF the train just as Il
was moving ON with accelerated speed.
I saw them run for the horses. All
mounted. and as they dashed away