The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-07-08
The Moving Picture
Holdup
BY MURIEL. BLAIR.


up at the end of the Pullman and be-
gan to address the passengers, every.
Douy went forward and gathered
around him, laughing and clapping
Ihey thought he was going to offer
something for sale.
Ladies and gentlemen" began the
nashily dressed man, II am going to
repeat to you what have just said to
the passengers in the next coach.
When we reach Bad Water, In ten
minutes or so, moving picture man
VIII be upon the platform to take some
pictures representing hold-up. 1 ask
OF you, fellow-passengers, to feign
alarm, and If one or two Of the Indies
Will pretend to faint 1t will help things
along"
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.
Ill never give up cent" eXclaim-
ed stout, perspiring drummer, wip-
ing the alkali dust from his features.
We'll, as for me- l know / should
just faint" answered demure young
lady. "And before l tainted I'd just
hand over everything had"
mot with me around, you wouldn't
need to-" answered the drummer gal.
lantly.
The other travellers did not commit
themselves, for at that 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 a 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 Keeling 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 a fake,
and it's going to be exhibited in all the
leading cities Of America. Won't you
60 back?"
Two or three did turn back toward
the coaches in half-hearted way. but
the rest remained obdurate. A pistol
shot rang out, followed by a woman's
scream for help.
You told me 1t was fun" shreked
q woman's voice. II won't give you
my rings. l wont, 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! My
God, it's all real! ~
Then the flashily dressed man came
dashing out of his coach, a smoking
pistol i'm his hand. He was followed
by two of the gang.
Hands up, you silly sheep" he yell
ed. Hands up or 1 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 a 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 her fist in the flashily 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
defy you to take it, you coward
There!"
Upon the platform the operator was
still grinding off his films. The flash.
ily dressed man approached the young
lady. took off his hat. and made her
q bow. :.
MADAM, you are the only man
among the lot" he said. Pray keep
your money as tribute to your cour'
agew
The passengers had all fled In when
the wheels Of the train began to move
The fiashily dressed man stood on the
step, and leered at them.
"Sorry to brighten you all, ladies and
gents" he said. III you'd obliged me
as I asked of you to do, / wouldn't
have had to scare vow. We amt, ban.
dts: we're just moving picture PEG.
pIe but we had to get the picture and
as YOU wouldn't help us-why. we just
had TO help ourselves. Goodbye"
When they had resumed their places
Ill EI...Va