Mexico Missouri message., 1912-11-28

not to resist because they nate the
sight Of blood, but prefer It to aIgu-
ment."
The impatient robbers, themselves
the prey OF fearful anxieties, broke in,
barking like pair OF coyotes In a
tumble of commands. Now, line up
with your backs that way. and no
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 glttin' em shot on. Line
up Hands up! Give over there!"
Mrs. Jimmie Wellington took her
time about moving into position, and
her deliberation brought a howl OF
wrath from the robber: Get into that
line, you"
Mrs. Wellington whirled on him:
How dare you, you brute?" And she
turned up her nose at the gun.
The anxious conductor interviewed:
Better obey, madame; he's an ugly
lad"
81 don't mind being robbed" said
Mrs. Jimmie. but won't endured
rudeness."
The robber shook his head In de-
spair. and he tried to wither her with
sarcasm: "Pardong, mamselly, would
you be so kind and condescendin' asi
to step into that there car before T.
blow your husbands gol-blame head
on"
tn Ohnf
fastened to her place, but put out a.
restraining hand on Jimmie, who need
| ed no restraint Certainly, to save
my dear husband Don't strike him,
| Jimmie!"
Then each man stuck one revolver,
| into its convenient holster, and, COW,
! ering the passengers with the other,
| proceeded to frisk away valuables,
! with 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 a
| loathsumc familiarity that could only
| be resented, not reyenged. Their
hands Owed into pockets, and up
! sleeves. and into women's hair. every
/ where that jewel or bin might be
sccreted And always a rough growl
/ or a swing % the revolver silenced
! any protest.
/ Their heinous fingers had hardly
| begun to ply. when the solemn still
| ness was broken by chuckle and
/ low boot Of laughter. a darkey's unctu-
| Gus laughter. At such a place II was
more shocking than at a funeral.
What ails you?" was the nearest
! 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.
II was just thinking" the porter
snickered what mighty poor pick
ings you-all are goin' to git out OF me.
! Whilst If you had "a waited till |
got to Frisco, I'd Jest nachelly been
oozin' money"
The robber relieved him of few
dimes and quarters and ordered him
to turn round. but the black face
whirled back as he heard from the
other end of the car Wedgewood's in
dignant complaint: 81 say, this is an
outraged"
"Ah, close your trap and turn
round. or M"
The porters smile died away. Good
Lawd," he sighed, they're goin' to
skin that British lion! And | just
wore myself out on him"
The far-reaching effect of the whole
procedure was Just beginning to dawn
on the porter. This little run on the
bank meant a period of financial
stringency for him He watched the
hurrying hands a moment or two,
then his wrath rose to terrible proper.
tons
Look here. man" he shouted at
the robber, amt you-all goin' to
leave these passengers nothin' tall?
Not on purpose, niger"
NO small change, or nothin'?"
Nary a red"
Then, passengers" the porter pro
claimed, while the robber watched
him in amazement; then, passengers
, want to give you-all fair warnin
heah and now: No tips, no whisk
broom"
Perhaps because their hearts were
already overfiowing with distress. the
, passengers endured this appalling
, threat without comment, and when
. there was a connection at the Other
end of the line, all eyes rolled that
= way.
, ITO RE CONTINITEDl