Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-02-18

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These stories Of hOldups and train
robberiess said Monk, always re-
mind me of an actress who has been
TobDed OF her glittering glassware. You
never heard Of anyone doing much
on the proceeds Of historic highway
ing. and the man who attempts 90 hold
up a modern express train may get
away with the goods, but eventually
the sheriff puts him ON his visiting
list"
Right you are" replied the pug.
nosed brakeman. 1T takes nerve 20
hold up train, but II takes more than
nerve TO pull the trick on successfully
and retire on the proceeds. The men
Who possess all the qualifications req
uisite for such Jobs generally land a
sinecure behine the frosted-g glass par
tition."
Now you're talking classical Eng
lish." commented Monk. land en-
pressing clarified thought in capsule
form. ! never knew but one man to
pull of a holdup successfully, and
then obliterate himself from the sur.
roundIngs.
1T happened down South, where at
one time the railroads were noted for
their lack OF speed. and where IL was
impossible to miss o train. All you
had to do. IL your train had left the
station, was to follow II on foot, and
you couldn't miss Il unless you over.
looked IL or misto0k its creeping for
the inertia OF q side-tracked section"
Yes" commented the pug-nosed
brakeman, Il knew Of q man down
there who brought salt against the 8.
l.. o. road to recover for damages sus-
tanned In humping into the rear end Of
the moonlight limited while walking
along the track.
The company tried to non-suit him
by bringing a counter-charge OF tres
pass; but his lawyer threatened to at
tack the validity Of their charter on
the ground that they could not prove
that they were running trains. and
they withdrew their charge.
The plaintiff won his suit, and the
company was ordered to upholster the
rear end OF their trains to prevent q
repetition Of such accidents"
Well, to get back to the holdup,"
said Monk. Il was touring the South,
some years back. and at this partic-
ular time my objective point was
Boonville. AS ! had lots of leisure,
decided to make the trip by rail.
Il caught up to a freight bound for
that point, and, sauntering up to IL,
swung myself aboard the caboose and
proceeded to accord myself with cor
dial welcome. I took possession Of
the lower bunk without waiting for
the porter to appear, and was soon
In the land Of dreams.
II was awakened by the crew, who
had come back to see IL the rear end
was all right. He asked me what the
Stonewall Jackson I meant by intrud.
ing, and volunteered to punch my
ticket or my head without fear Oh
favor
Il hypnotised him by making O. few
occult passes, and he extended me the
cordial entente. Il was pretty good
stun, even though Il was tax free and
did not bear the pure-food guaranty"
III you will pardon the Interrupt
tion." seid the pug-nosed brakeman,
i want to pay tribute 10 the railroads
OF the South. The southern spirit Of
hospitality Is not dead, and the Ches-
terfields OF the rail will give you the
glad welcome or the @. b. with all the
grace born or heredity and long prac-
tice. They will fire you from train
in such courtly manner that you feel
like apologizing for giving them the
trouble"
Your prognostication comedies with
my observation" commented Monk.
This Chesterfield OF the caboose
told me we were approaching Hog
mountain. a moonshiners' stronghold,
noted for its reluctance to contribute
TO the revenues OF the government
and for the weirdness and grandeur
OF its scenery.
He said he had to go back to the
engine and tend to his fire, and he ad-
vised me to take a seat in the observa-
tory OF the caboose and enjoy the
phantasorama.
Il took his advice. and found that
we were travelling up into the noun
tain, and that the scenery was all that
he claimed for IL. I was taking In
the scape. when I noticed a tall noun
taineer making his way down n rugged
path toward US.
He carried a long. rife, and was
accompanied by q lean. lanky coon
dog. He reached the railroad track
Just as We passed. and, spying me
looking out the observatory window
like a blooming Juliet securing the
horizon for a dilatory Romeo, he point
ed his rife at me and commanded:
You-all throw up your handsi'
Il looked at him in amazement, but
lost no time in doing the upward Del
sarte movement
Say you moth-eaten mountaineer,'
i shouted, what's the answer to the
riddle you're propounding? Have I
unconsciously butted into a Hatfield
Mccoy combination, or do you imagine
this is a treasure train?'
'You-all stop that train, or I'll blow
your darned head on he replied.
How the heck do you expect me
to stop the train? l shouted back.
Run along. Reuben. and file your re-
quest with the engineer. He's run.
ming this seeing-thescenery special
from the front end
For n moment he looked as II he
doubted my statement; then. lowering
his gun, he sprinted for the forward
end. while I climbed down from my
perch and started out to investigate.
AS ! stepped from the train, q