Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-08-19

httb OSCn NhlCG Ntll at luG SldIL
was soon reduced to one, and finally
all save about dozen passengers had
dropped off. The country becoming
arid, nothing to look at outside and
nothing to do inside. some of us got
together to talk. There was a Metho.
dist minister in a white cravat and a
woman dressed In calico, an Irishman
with a red head and colored man.
| Others there were, but these four are
especially impressed on my memory.
We had exhausted every topic we
could think of and were pining for
something to break the monotony of
the journey when the conductor came
In and said TO us:
Were coming to place, a cut and
a curve in the road. where there is a
possibility of the train being held up.
If you people have any valuables that
you don't care to lose you had better
dispose of them in some way by which
they won't show up"
How do you know the train is like
ly to be held up?" asked the Irishman.
IA man got on at the last station
who said that his little daughter, only
Twelve years Olu, udu uedTO SOiue ucH
laying a plan. They had agreed that
they would go through this very train
and at the cut two miles beyond Rae
coon. There's only one cut about there.
and there's a curve in it."
"Why don't you go backr' asked the
woman. trembling.
Because there's no certainty about
the matter. I don't know how well
can depend on the information. If I
backed at every such report. throwing
the roads schedule out. I'd soon get
my walking papers"
where's the man who told about
this2"
I'm the baggage car"
One or two Of the passengers went
forward to interview the informer.
while the others began to take meas
ures to pat their valuables in places
where they would not likely be found.
We had left Raccoon and would be in
the cut in few minutes. The woman
unlocked her dress in front and cram
med in a pocketbook. The Irishman,
thinking that she would not be likely
to be forced to disrobe, asked her If
she would kindly take charge of a roll
of bills for him. She consented. No
one of the other passengers-they were
all men-seemed to be satisfied to keep
his valuabes on his person. so one by
one they Went to the woman and ask
ed her to be their temporary safe de-
post She was very obliging. but, not
having room where she had put her
own pocketbook she suggested that
they tie up their goods in their hand
kerchiefs and she would pin them
on to the waistband of her petticoat
This seemed so admirable a plan
that every man in the car came to this
lone woman and begged the protection
Of her skirts for his money. watch and
jewelry of every kind. She was lit
orally loaded down with them. having
circle Of suspended articles around
her waist
The news that the train was likely
to be held up was carried into the
next car back-there were but two
passenger cars-and half a dozen per-
sons came into our car to learn about
the matter. There was no more room
! for valuables under the woman's skirt,
,, but the minister stepped forward with
a plan. much to the relief of these
newcomers. Taking off his silk hat.
he said
: II am carrying funds for the church.
!. and. knowing of the danger of being
|. robbed in this wild country | had a
: false top put in my hat. l have room
for what money any of you may wish
to secrete."
:, He took out the false top and put it
!. back again on all the money there was
, left unprovided for.
:. But there was no room in the clergy
= mans hat except for money The col
. ored man opened a worn suit case that
:, looked as if it would scarcely hold to-
gether to complete the journey and
= among the contents, some soiled under
clothes, hid a fifty cent piece and two
. nickels, all the money he had. This
= seemed to those passengers whose
!, watches and jewelry had not been TAX
: en- care of the acme of fine hiding
. places. No robber would expect to
- find anything in that suit case among
: a negro's soiled underclothes. Conse-
= quently the goods that had not yet
1, Deeu uluueu we're uulupeu lulO the lAl-
: tered receptacle
= By the time the last article had been
stored away the train reached the cut.
. The passengers held their breath
= while passing through it and breathed
= again on reaching the other end. When
A they were congratulating themselves
A on getting through safely there was a
a jerk on the bell rope, and the train
\ suddenly came to a stop.
The passengers turned pale and kept
= their seats except the clergyman, the
= woman and the negro They went to
A the door, apparently to see what had
q happened But they did not stop there.
: Four horses stood saddled beside the
4 track. The three passengers mentiop-
y ed, the negro holding on to his suit