The Delta independent., 1912-09-20

linen-closet.
The marauders were apparently
cattlemen, from their general get-up.
Their hats were 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.
I Their legs were encased in heavy
: 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 l
learned it to you.''
The conductor, like an awkward
schoolboy. grinned sheepishIy, 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."
The impatient robbers, themselves
the prey of fearful anxieties, broke in,
barking like pair of coyotes in a
1umble 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 gittin' em shot on. Line
up! Hands up, Give over tnere,"
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 intervened:
Better obey, madame; he's an ugly
lad"
Il don't mind being robbed" said
Mrs. Jimmie, but / won't endure
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' as
to step into that there car before 1
blow your husbands gol-blame head
off,
This brought her to terms. She
hastened 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, GOV.
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 SO they worked from each end
Of the car toward the middle. Their
hands ran swiftly over bodies with a
loathsome familiarity that could only
be resented, not revenged. 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 a rough growI
or a swing of the revolver siienced
any protest.
Their heinous fingers had hardly
begun to ply, when the solemn still
ness was broken by a chuckle and |
low hoot OF laughter. darkeys unctu- |
Gus laughter. At such a place It was |
more shocking than at a funeral.
what aiIs your" 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"
"Funnyi" was the universal groan. I
81 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 I |
got to Frisco. I'd jest nachelly been
oozin' money"
The robber relieved him OF a 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: Il say. this is an
outraged"
"Ah. close your trap and turn
round. or III"
The porter's 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 begirning to dawn
on the porter. This little run on the
bank meant period OF financial
stringency for him, He watched the