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

LAWQ, ne signed, Iney re gOln 10
skin that British lion! And l 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, "ain't you-all. goin to
leave these passengers nothin' tall7"
mot on purpose, niger"
mo small change, or nothin'7'
Nary 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 commotion at the other
end OF the line, all eyes rolled that
way
Mr.. Baumann was making an ef-
fort to take his leave, with great po-
likeness.
"Excoose, pleass. want to get by,
pleass!"
h,,t
why. you"
But I'm not a passenger" Mr..
Baumann urged, with a confidential
smile, i've been going through tho
train myself"
Much obliged! Hand over!" And
rude hand rummaged his pockets.
1t was heart-rending sight.
"Oi oil" he walled, don't you allow
no courtesies to the profession" And
when the inexorable thief continued
to pluck his money, his watch, his
scarf-pin, he grew wroth indeed stop,
stop, refuse to pay. I'll go into bank
ruptcy foist." But still the larceny
continued; fingers even lifted three
cigars from his pockets, two for him
self and good one for customer.
This loss was grievous, but his wild
est protest was: "Oh, here, my frient,
you don't want my business carts"
Keep 'em!" growled the thief. and
then. glancing up, he saw on the ten
der inwards Of Mr.. Baumann's up
held palms two huge glisteners, which
their owner had turned that way in a
misguided effort to conceal the stones.
The robber reached up for them.
Take 'em. You're welcomed" said
Mr. Baumann, with rare presence OF
mind. Those Nevada nearlies looks
almost like real"
Keep EN-" said the robber, as he
passed on, and Mr.. Baumann almost
swooned with JOY, for, as he whis-
pered to Wedgewood moment later:
They're really real!"
Now the eye-chain rolled the other
way. for Little Jimmie Wellington was
putting with rage. The other robber,
having massaged him thoroughly, but
without success, for his pocketbook,
noticed that Jimmie's lett heel was
protruding from his left shoe, and
made Jimmie perform the almost In
credible feat of standing on one foot,
while he unshod him and took out
the hidden wealth.
There goes our honeymoon, Luz
cretia," he moaned. But she whis-
pered proudly: Never mind have
my rings to pawn"
"Oh, you have, have you? Well, I'll
be your little uncle" the kneeling rob-
Der laughed, as he overheard. and he
continued his outrageous search till
he found them, knotted In a handker-
chief. under her hat.
She protested: You wouldn't leave
me in Reno without diamond, would
your"
Il wouldn't, eh?" he grunted. do
you think I'm in this business for my
health?"
And he snatched on two earrings
she had forgotten to remove. Fortu-
nately, they were afixed to her lobes
with fasteners.
Mrs. Jimmie was thoroughbred
enough not to vince. She simply COM
mented: "You brutes are. almost as
York"
And now another touch OF light re-
lieved the gloom. Kathleen was next
In line, and she had been forcing her
lips into their most attractive smile.
and keeping her eyes winsomely mel
law FOR fba rohhar,c honaHf Marfnrfo
could not see the smile; she could
only see that Kathleen was next. She
1 whispered to Mallory:
They'll get the bracelet! They'll
get the bracelet"
And Mallory could have danced with
glee But Kathleen leaned coquet-
tishly toward the masked stranger.
and threw all her art into her tone
as she murmured:
I'm sure you're too brave to take
my things. I've always admired men
with the courage OF Claude Duval."
| The robber was taken tribe aback
but he growled: Il don't know the par.
ty you speak of-but cough up!"
| Listen to her." Marjorie whispered
In horror; she's flirting with the
train-robberp
What won't some women Mir
With" Mallory exclaimed.
The robber studied Kathleen lit
tie more attentiyely, as he whipped
on hef necklace and her rings. She
looked good to him, and so willing
that he muttered: Say, lady. If you'll
give me kiss. I'll give you that dia
mond ring you got on"
+! "All right" laughed Kathleen, with