The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-12-26

surrender" @
"Of courseLsince We can't rum"
Wedgewood broke in impatiently:
We'll, consider It . dastardly out
rage. I'll not submit to It. I'm .
subject Of His, Majesty the"
You're . subject OF His Majesty
the Man Behind tho Cum" said NAL.
lory.
Il shall protest. mono the less"
Wedgewood insisted.
Mallory grinned . little. "Have you
your mother?"
Wedgewood was . tribe chilled at
this. "D-dont talk OF such things" he
said.
And By this time the train-robbers
had hastily worked their way through
the other passengers, and reached the
frantic Inhabitants OF the sleeper.
'Snowdrop. ~ DO
Hands up! Higher!! Hands up!"
with q true sense OF the dramatic,
tho robbers sent ahead OF them the
most hair raising yells. They arrived
simultaneously yat each end OF the
aisle, and with few short sharp COM
mands. Strengthened the disorderly
rabble into beautiful line, with all
palms aloft and all eyes wide and
wild.
One robber drove ahead OF him the
conductor and the other drove In Mr..
Manning. whom he had found trying
to crawl between the shelves Of the
linen-closet
cattlemen, from their general get-up.
Their hats we're pulled low, and just
beneath their eyes they had drawn
big black silk handkerchiefs, tied be-
hind the ears and hanging to the
/, breast.
Over their shoulders they had slung
the feed-bags OF their horses, to serve
as receptacles for their swag. Their
shirts were chalky with alkali dust.
Their legs were encased in heavy
chaparejos, and they carried each a
pair Of well-used Colts revolvers that
looked as big as artillery.
When the passengers had showed
and jostled into line. one OF the men
jabbed the conductor in the back with
the muzzle Of his gun, and snarled:
Now speak your little piece, like
learned It to YOU"
The conductor, like an awkward
schoolboy, grinned sheepishly, and
spoke, his hands in the air the while:
Ladies and gents, these here par
ties in the black tides says they want
everybody to hold his or her hands
as high as possible till you git per-
mission to lower 'em; they advise you
not to resist. because they hate the
sight OF blood. but prefer it to argu-
ment."
Tho impatient robbers. themselves
the, prey OF fearful anxietAes, broke in
barking like pair OF coyotes in q
] tumble Of commands: Now, line up
with your backs that way. and nc
back talk. These guns shoot awful
easy. And remember, as each party
is finished with, they, are to turn
round and keep their hands up, on
| penalty of gittin' 'em shot on. Line
up! Hands up! Give over there!"
Mrs. Jimmie wellington took her
time about moving into position, and
her elaboration brought q howl OF
wrath from the rebber: Get into that
line, you!"
! Mrs. Wellington whirled ON him !:
How dare you, you brute!" And she
turned up her nose 1t the gun.
Z The anxious conductor interviewed :
Better obey, madame; he's an ugly
lad"
/ Il don't mind being robbed" said
Mrs. Jimmie, but I won't endure
i rudeness."
The robber shook his head in de.
spair, and he tried to gither her with
sarcasm: "Pardong. mamselly, would
You be 30 kind and condescendin' az
to step into that there car before /
blow your husbands gol-blame head
on"
This brought her to terms. She
FASTENED to her place, but put out q
restraining hand on Jimmie, who need
ed NO restraint. Certainly, to save
my dear husband. Don't strike him.
Jimmie!"
Then each man stuck ono revolver
into it's convenient holster, and. GOV
ering the passengers with the other
proceeded to frisk away valuables
with q speed and agility that would
have looked prettier If those impa
tient-looking muzzles had not pointed
here, there and everywhere with such
venomous threats.
And 80 they worked from each end
OF the car toward the middle. Their
hands ran swiftly over bodies with q
loathsome familiarity that could only
be resented, not reyenged. Their
hands dived into pockets. and up
sleeves. and into women's hair. every
where that jewel or a bill might be
secreted. And always o rough grow
or q swing Of the revolver silenced
any protest.
Their heinous fingers had hardly
ness was broken by a chuckle and
low boot OF laughter, q darkey's unctu
Gus laughter. At such Q place 1t wal
more shocking than ut funeral.
1 What ais your" was the neares,
! robbers demand.
The porter tried to wipe his stream
ing eyes without lowering his hands
as he chuckled on: "I-I-just thought
Of sumpum funny"
Funny" was the universal groan
Il was just thinking" the porter
snickered, what mighty poor pick
ings you-ali are goin' to git out OF me
YIYl.iIa& xnas had n, .ualAaA IN j