The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-08-22
Making a
Coat

There were only five men in the
smoking car by the time the train had
passed Three Fork station, and they
were all business men connected with
some eastern or western house. No.
81 was not popular train, and they
took it simply because each had bust.
ness engagements or schedules that
must be followed.
The train had Just spun through q
wide, arid waste, leaving behind
clouds Of alkali dust.
The five men were grouped togeth.
or, pretty we'll talked out on general
subjects. and each ready for a little
excitement. when one Of them pointed
out Of the window. "see those foot.
hills over there? Just few months
ago, they caught Red Bert there. He
held up train near here, and shot
the engineer and an express agent"
Then It was that a little insignia.
cant chap who had Joined them fifty
miles back, by his card q representa-.
tive Of a small beef concern, rufled
the nerves of the five travel weary
men in way he had not before.
The little drummer, blake. nodded
his bald head, and started in to relate
some Of his exploits and went on:
''You bet wouldn't lay down for nc
man that walks here in the west OF
anywhere. Most Of you fellows are
from the east, take 1t, and go through
to the coast; but I do business round
these parts; and I've mixed with bad
men IN bad places, and I've never laid
down, but I've made some Of them do
It." He lit a cigar with self-satisfied
air.
The others said little, though one OF
two winked slyly, but all were Of the
same mind evidently; for when the
conversation had ended, thoroughly
killed by Blake, they drifted together
IN another part Of the coach, after
Blake had gone back into one Of the
rear coaches.
Z "Say. but tbt little pup gave me
one Gigantic pain. If he saw a bad
man, he'd crawl down his shirt to get
out of sight. He don't know gun
from a hole in the ground" one Of
them exclaimed heatedly.
The others concurred.
"This is deadly tiresome ride.
Can't we get up a little excitement.
and make him the goat?" another
asked. eager for some excitement.
They sat in thought for few mo-
ments. then young member of the
group spoke up. 1--WE got It! We
ought to make regular Jack of him
to pay him for that hot air, and take
some of the swelling out Of him. What
do you say to this? One of you go
back and fix up kindaa,. rough, you
know, some old buds, st gun, and
while the trains going slow up the
ridge, come in and hold the bunch
up!"
Brownell, an engineer, was to be
the robber, because he was carrying
rough suit of clothes for mountain
work.
The train stopped at a watering sta
ton, then began the long hard pull
over the Ridge.
In the smoker all were reading
earnestly except Blake who was look
ing out the window.
Suddenly a. door opened and
slammed, and a masked figure stood
before them.
Glands ,zup!" rang out, sharply in.
tonated.
Every pair Of hands went meekly
up; Blake's face was picture Of sur
prise. =. ~ . -
: The masked figure came along te
each one. and ebediently they yielded
up their worldly goods. AS the rob
Der passed in front of Blake, he,s too
gave up his cash.. 49, ~.
4. saw, come on there Fat" one oil
the men sang out; 'the's bad un--
give 1t to him!" hi,
- A roar Of laughter went I'D
Brownell slipped of his mask, expos
ing grin that went from ear to. ear:
"Shut down on the hot air, Beef"
he said; "and don't come butting In on
the conversation Of gentlemen unless
you're asked" :
Blake was staring out Of the win.
dow; he turned. and in fash h<
stood in the aisle. gimlet-eyed. and
grim, holding in his hand black big
Colt-not the toy in his case. "Quick!
hand over thu mon," his words siz
xled. !
II want that mon-its my joke. nowl
or" j
Brownell started at him with an
angry oath. The gun spat at him,
and the tall figure collapsed into q
seat. As II in answer ahead and back
Of the smoker, echoed sharp reports. !
Blake stopped and rifled Brownelld
pockets. and then one by one he went