Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-10-10
RUNNING THE
GANTLET
By WARREN MILLER

"Mr. Humphrey" said the president
Of the bank, who had sent for me to
come to his private Office, I'VE have
$4,000 to go to NJ today, and l have
a mind to send it by YOU. Would you
care to undertake the delivery?'
l didn't like the Job, for We were in
the far west, where desleradoes
abounded, and If one of them suspect
ed l had so large an amount with me
murder would not stand in his way to
possess it. But If wished promotion
In the bank it would never do for me
to finch at such an offer, which was
charge.
l left the bank with thirty $1,000
bills in large pocketbook IN the breast
pocket of my coat. OF course from the
start had my eye on everybody in
sight, wondering If some one of them
was not intending to rob me. One per-
son arrested my attention from the Pc
culiarity of his appearance. He was
standing on the bank steps when l
went out, looking carelessly up the
street. He wore green spectacles, a
very shabby suit and high plug hat
The most remarkable feature of his
apparel was a waistcoat with stripes
resembling those of zebra. He was
evidently down on his luck and had
picked up his clothes piecemeal, where
he could find them cast off from their
original owners. He paid no attention
to me. Indeed, had no evidence that
he was aware of my existence.
Going to my room, took suit case
full of clothes and on emerging noticed
the man with the zebra waistcoat on
the opposite side of the street looking
In at a shop window. His back was
to me, and kept my eye on him till
had turned a corner. In this way
made sure he had not seen me come
out Of the house nor during my going
away from it. Proceeding to the sta
ton, I boarded the train. and as it
rolled out the car door opened, and
who should step in but the man with
the zebra waistcoat
= He gave me glance as lie took his
seat, and I knew he had spotted me
for victim. But why this fantastic
attire? Then it all rushed upon me
suddenly. 1t was to attract my atten-
ton from some confederate who was
keeping me in sight and who doubt.
| ha1 :,,Fo II, 80
ing. They. could only have received
the Information of my bearing the
money from some one in the bank who
had let 1t out for gain or unintention-
ally.
My heart sank within me. But we
laid out game for my money and my
life. picked up my suit case which
had deposited on the foor and held 1t
on my lap. Then l went to the water
cooler for a drink. carrying the suit
case with me. Next l changed my
seat, never for moment letting the
suit case out Of my hand Finally
opened it. pretending to make sure as
did so that no eye was upon me- and.
thrusting my hand in between the
clothing, gave evidence by my express
sion that what sought was there.
Meanwhile an ugly looking man in
wooden shirt and sombrero went and
sat down by the man with the zebra
waistcoat, and the latter gave him
some piece OF Information which
was sure referred to the money being
In the suit case. Not feeling that my
effort to throw the men off the scent
would avail-f0r when they robbed me,
not finding the money where they ex-
pected it, they would force me to pro-
duce i'll concluded to get of the train
at the first stop. did so and saw the
two men standing on the platform as
well. AS the train moved on stepped
aboard, and my followers re-entered at
the other end Of the car.
1 looked about me to see If there
was any one on whom could rely for
help. There were not half dozen
persons, and they would all be fright
ened out of their wits the moment the
attack was made. l saw my enemies
consulting earnestly and felt sure the
blow was about to fall. The train was
running through sparsely settled
country. While looking out Of the win
dow I saw a short distance ahead a
man standing in field holding three
horses. Suddenly the man with the
zebra waistcoat sprang up, seized the
bell cord and pulled It vigorously. It
happened that at the same time the
conductor came into the car for tick
cts. The brakes we're put on, and the
train slowed up. The conductor, see
ing nd reason for stopping, angrily
gave signal to proceed.
So III khiIaytnsa ths tMo aaah,,