The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-04
Written BY Sophie Lyons.

the Star Company.
till this made triie more than four hun.
dred dollars for our nights work-a piti-
fully small sum compared with what some
or our bank robberies brought us. but
enough to support us until we could plan
some more ambitious undertaking.
Just as we were dividing our plumber
INTO three equal shares a freight train
whistled in the distance.
George and I will jump on this train
said my husband, giving me hurried kiss.
ITS safer than for the three of us to stick
together. Good-bye-and take care of
yourself Well meet you in South Wind
ham, Conn, late tonight or early TO-
morrow"
Wet bedraggled and SO tired that
could have fallen asleep standing up.
CROPPED my way to the railroad station and
curled myself up on bench to snatch
what rest could. Just before daybreak
a milk train came along boarded this
and travelled by roundabout route to
South Windham.
My Husband Is Shot
reached there late in the afternoon and
went straight to the postoffice This was
always the accepted rendezvous for pro-
fessional criminals when no other place
had been agreed upon. Detectives in every
city might very proftably spend more Of
their time watching the postoffice for
wherever the criminal is he makes point
of calling there at least once every twenty.
four hours to keep appointments with his
friends or in the hope of running across
some acquaintance.
Ned and George were there waiting for
me. and mighty glad they were to see me,
for they had heard vague rumors OF
woman having been arrested on suspicion
that she knew something about the Palmer
robbery.
The best opportunity the sleepy little
town afforded seemed to be general store
run by man named Johnson. l dropped
in there late one evening and, on the pre-
text of buying a crochet hook. saw the old
proprietor locking the days receipts
quite a respectable bundle OF money-in a
ramshackle safe which offered about as
much security as a cheese box.
We got everything in readiness TO break
into the store the following night 1t was
a foolhardy time for such job. as there
was bright moon--but we were hungry
for money. and one more good haul would
supply enough TO keep us in comfort until
we could lay our plans for some robbery
really worthy Of our skill.
There was really little I could do to help
the men. but could not bear to be left
behind. Just after midnight stole out OF
the railroad station, where had been
waiting ostensibly for the night train to
New York. and hid myself in the doorway
OF q livery stable, where I had good view
OF the store We were going to rob.
Pretty soon ] saw my two comrades
come cautiously down the main street from
opposite directions. They met underneath
a window of the store on the side which
was in the dark shadow of tree.
The window was so high above the
l.
on George Mason's shoulders 70 Seach it.
] could hear the gentle rasp OF his jimmy
as X worked against the fastenings.
AT last he raised the sash gently and
stepped into the store. Then he leaned far
out across the sill and stretched his
brawny arms down toward his companion.
Mason gave leap, caught hold of Ned's
wrists and. with the agility Of circus per
former. swung himself up into the window.
All was as silent as the grave. The only
sign OF life could see in the peaceful
street were two cats enjoying nocturnal
gambol on nearby piazza roof. shivered
for fear they might start yowling and
awaken somebody to spoil our plans.
Just at that instant one OF the cats upset
flower pot which stood at a window
opening on the porch roof To my horror,
that pot went rolling down the roof with
tremendous CHATTER, hung suspended for
second on the caves. then fell to the
Stone Steps WIN CRASH that woke the
echoes.
At once the whole town awoke In every
direction could hear windows being
thrown open, children crying and sleepy
voices asking what the trouble was
AT window directly over The store
where my two friends were nightcapped
head appeared and a frightened woman
screamed, Help! Burglars" at the top OF
her lungs.
That completed the havoc which the
playful cats and the flower pot had begun.
From every house half.dreased men armed
with rifles shotguns and all sorts OF Weap-
ons poured into the street.
All this racket had started TOO suddenly
for me TO give Ned and George any warn
ing. could only crouch farther back in
the shadow OF my doorway and trust 10
Providence that the yillagers would over
look me In their excitement
There goes the burglar now" gome one
shouted. and juzt then | saw my husband
dash past my hiding place 40 cloge that
could have toDchcd him. He wag headed
Tor the open country b.yond the railroad
tracks and waz running fszter than had
ever suppoSHd man ri biz weight could
Stop Or ri zho1t." yei!ed an old white.
VhisEered farmer Who Et>od rire I'm hand.
not dozen yards away
But Ned. u he heaTa tbs command maSa