The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-08

the line. That's why couldn't let you
eat first l want you to run up the
line three miles to Wiggstaff. It's a
day station. II the operators gone
home bust in and send the details to
Assistant Superintendent Wallace, in
charge of pay car at Bendover.
Tell him l heard the chief bandit
order his men to split and meet at
Flatstone Gulch. Tell him to take all
his men there and round up the whole
gang. Now hurry, William! Run. and
I'll see you fed for the rest of your
life"
There's no use arguing with a man
who's lost twelve thousand dollars.
He doesn't listen. Stimson took VIII
liam by the arm and led him to the
door at the other end from the one by
which he had entered.
As they passed the kitchen the odor
Of recently cooked food brought him
almost to the point of rebellion, but
the pressure of Stimson's big hand
showed him that he would only be de-
laying the ultimate feast by objections.
He dropped to the track. By this
time night had fallen. As he looked
around at the car he saw Stimson dis
appear inside. For a few yards he
trudged modify on. Then he stopped.
Three miles, nix!" said he. III
Stimson's twelve thousand can't wait
till l forage, Stimson's twelve thou
sand can beat it. amt on his bond"
William turned and sneaked back
along the track side until he came to
the kitchen window. The light was
burning and the window was open, but
hopelessly high. A fence ran parallel
with the track, but it was too far
away
Williams hunger made him inven-
tive. Pulling out fence rail he
placed it bridgewise from the fence
to the window and crawled slowly and
carefully along it,
He paused moment to get his bear
ings and feast his eyes as a gradual
preparation for feasting his stomach.
The preliminary proved too much for
him.
With startled gasp he recoiled so
suddenly that his narrow perch re-
fused to accommodate his spreading
limbs, and Sweet William thudded
softly to sitting posture on the ties
below.
He was brought to a consciousness
that two objects cannot meet without
interruption to one of them, by being
encircled in two brawny arms and
finding himself in the center of q
group Of men, among whom he rec.
ognized the freight conductor of his
recent acquaintance.
Bring him along! He may be q
pail" shouted somebody.
All hurried forward, leaving vii.
liams captor to drag his captive in
their wake--a task for which he
seemed capable.
William started to explain, but his
own lack Of breath and his guards
lack Of leisure proved a combination
too strong for conference.
The guard poked an unreasonably
hard fist into his ribs and told him to
shut up. William. being scarcely ca
pable Of anything else. did so.
The leaders reached the private car.
Two ran to the other end The 9th.
ers waited. Then each party stole up
the steps. Williams guardian pushed
him ahead Of him and stole up be.
hind.
There was rush, scuffie and q
tremendous shouting. When William
could get q clear view of affairs, Mr..
Stimson was dejectedly surveying,
through swollen eyes, the train and
engine crew of freight, while two
men were giving first aid to the cook,
and the real superintendent was exam
lining the diamond drill that had bitten
halfway through his safe.
Don't tell me that hobo put you
wise," pleaded Stimson. I'D hate to
think couldn't bamboozle Sweet viii.
liam"
II don't know what the deuce you're
talking about said the super, but I
don't think any hobo could be greener
than the way you tied me up. I
dropped out of the kitchen window
and happened to pull up with stalled
freight train. Who's Sweet William
a pal of yours?"
"He means me-" put In William.
smiling. Il was running up the track
to get help"
Stimson laughed aloud. Yes he
was-not. He thought l was the su-
perintendent."
The freight conductor turned from
the reviving cook to look william over.
What, him!" said he irrelevantly.
why that's the bum dropped on the
gravel an hour ago. He's all right.
Kick him or"