The Glenwood post., 1921-09-17
The Moving Picture
Holdup
(0. 1871, western Nevspapsr Union.)
By MURIEL BLAIR.

w. ASSAs " oSSSto NVWDpAVSE OhAou-l
The journey across the desert il
not distracting one, and any diver
sion ID gladly welcomed, so that
when the f1ashily dressed man stood
, up at the end Of the Pullman and be-
gan to address the passengers, every
body went forward and gathered
around him, laughing and clapping.
They thought he was going to offer
something for sale.
Ladies' and gentlemen" began the
fiashily dressed man, II am going to
repeat to you what have Just said to
the passengers In the next csach.
When we reach Bad Water, In ten
minutes or so. moving picture man
will be upon the platform to take some
pictures representing hold-up. l ask
Of you. fellow-passengers, to feign
alarm, and II one or two Of the ladies'
will pretend to faint 1t will help things
along" -r 3d.. .r. ,-1l.
Everybody began laughing and
eagerly awaited the stop at Bad Wa
ter This was the fourth day of the
transcontinental journey, and the pas
sengers were on very good terms with
one another They began to discuss
train robberies. u.. ..
III never give up a cent" exclaim-
ed stout, perspiring drummer, wip-
ing the alkali dust from his features.
"Well, as for me, l know l should
just faint" answered a demure young
lady. "And before tainted I'd just
hand over everything / had"
Not with me around, you wouldn't
need to-" answered the drummer gal
lantly.
The other travellers did not commit
themselves. for at tina, moment the
train began to slow down and there
appeared the irrigation ditch from
which the station took its name. Then
the little tin-roofed shanty came into
view, and moment later half doz-
en- men. wearing sombreros and mask
ed, with pistols stuck all around their
waistlines, leaped forward across the
tracks. One jumped into the engine
cab and held his pistol to the fore
head Of the engineer. The mail van
was next attacked. while two men
made their way into the foremost Of
the coaches.
Upon the platform moving picture
operator had set up his instrument
and was busily reeling off the film,
the passengers, interested In the scene,
gathered around him.
Now, ladies; now, gentlemen" in
terposed the flashily dressed man in
tones Of remonstrance, won't you
please go back into the coaches and
be robbed? You're interfering with
the operator. 1t spoils the reality of
the pictures, your standing around
here as though nothing had happened
People will think the pictures fake,
and it's going to be exhibited in all the
leading cities Of America Won't you
go back?"
Two or three did turn back toward
the coaches in a half-hearted way. but
the rest remained Obdurate. pistol
shot rang out. followed by a woman's
scream for help.
you told me it was fun" shrieked
4 woman's voice. II won't give you
my rings. wont, I tell you. There.
take them, then. And that's every
penny ! have in the world
ITS Big Ike and his gang" some
body screamed. ITS real enough Ny
God, it's all real y
Then the fashily dressed man came
dashing out of his coach, smoking
pistol in his hand He was followed
by two of the gang.
Hands up, you silly sheep" he yell
ed. Hands up or l fire. Now, then,
back into the cars. One at time.
please. You'll keep them above your
heads while Ike goes through YOU"
Sheep. he had called them, and like
sheep they obeyed. The first to do
so was the commercial traveller. There
was look of terror on his red face,
and he held his arms erect as ramrods
Only one traveller remained upon
the platform. 1t was the demure
young lady who had been discussing
her course of action in the event Of "A
real hold-up Instead of fainting she
stamped her foot violently and actual
ly shook aer fist in the fashily dressed
mans face.
II won't put my hands up and
won't give you cent. And I've got
ninety dollars inside my waist and l
defy you to take it, you coward,
There!"
Upon the platform the operator was
still grinding of his Aims. The fash
lily dressed man approached the young
Ii.
a bow.
Madam, you are the only man
among the lot" he said. Pray keep
your money as a tribute to your cour-
age!"
The passengers had all filed in when
the wheels Of the train began to move.
The flashily dressed man stood on the
step and leered at them.
"Sorry to frighten you all, ladies and