The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-17

Souuuctors IKE an awkward
scnoolooy. grinned sheepishly, and
spoke. his hands In the air the while:
Ladies' and gents. these here par.
o. IN the black tides says they want
everybody to hold his or her hands
- high a. possible till you Rit per.
mission to lower EN-: they advise you
not to resist. because they hate the
sisnt OF blood. but prefer II to argu-
The impatient robbers, themselves
tne prey OF fearful anxietSss. broke In.
oerklng like q pair Of coyotes In a
wmble OF commands: Nov. line nm
with your backs that way. and no
back talk. These guns shoot awful
easy. And remember, a. each party
N finished with. they are to turn
round and keep their hands up. ON
penalty OF gittin' 'em shot on. Line
upi Hands up! Give over there!"
Ars. Jimmie Wellington took her
time about moving into position. and
her elaboration brought q howl OF
wrath from the robber: Get into that
line. you!"
Mn. wellington whirled on him:
now dare you. you brute?" And she
turned up her nose at the gun.
anxious conductor intervened:
Better obey. madame; he's an ugly
Il don't mind being robbed" said
hrs. Jimmie but ! won't endure
rudeness." 20, ~
e The robber shook his head in do.
spair. and he tried to wither her with
sarcasm: "Pardong. mamselly. would
you DO 20 kind and condescsndin' an
20 step into that there car before
blow your husbands gol.blame head
or
This brought her to terms. She
hastened to her place. but put out q
restraining hand on Jimmie, who need.
ID 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 Q speed and agility that would
have looked prettier II those impa.
tient-looking muzzles had not pointed
here. there and everywhere with such
venomous threats.
And 90 they worked from each end
OF the car toward the middle. Their
hands ran swiftly over bodies with q
loathsome familiarity that could nly
be resented. not revenged. aeir
hands dived into pockets. O. up
sleeves. and into women's ha, every.
where that jewel or q bill might be
secreted. And always a rough growl
or Q swing OF the revolver silenced
any protest.
Their heinous fingers had hardly
begun to ply. when the solemn still.
moss was broken by a chuckle and
low hoot OF laughter. a darkey's unctu.
ous laughter. At such q place II was
more shocking than at q funeral.
What ails 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"
"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 II you had "a waited till I
Got to frisco. I'D Jest nachelIy been
oozin' money"
The robber relieved him OF a few
dimes and quarters and ordered him
TO turn round. hut the black face
whirled back as he heard from the
other end of the car wedgewood's in
dignant complaint: II 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 beginning to dawn
on the porter. This little run on the
bank meant period OF financial
stringency for him. He watched the
hurrying hands a moment or two.
then his wrath rose to terrible proper.
tions:
Look here. man." he shouted at
the robber. "ain't you-all goin' to
leave these passengers nothin' tali?"
Not on purpose. niger"
No small change. or nothin'?"
Mary q red"
Then. passengers" the porter pro-
claimed. while the robber watched
him In amazement: then. passengers.
i want to give you-all fair warnin'
heah and now: No tips. no whisk-
broom"
Perhaps because their hearts were
already overflowing with distress. the