The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-08-25

Id41CI1 dt 0ulS1G OIlOL. Dull dIS AC-
turning from prison where they
have served sentences for unjust
convictions. On the train, which
is carrying a large sum of money,
Rosy's quick action and straight
shooting foils hold-up while Dave
saves the life of Martin Quinn, a
gambler, who is being threatened
by desperate. The three become
fast friends.
Get goin'!" the red-head COM
manded briefly.
The engineer leaned against a
lever which brought forth a rumb-
ling shudder. The red-head dragged
the limp form Of the bandit from in
front of the fire-door and dumped
him off the train.
There was a running fire as the
train labored into motion, most OF
it directed toward the engine. Glass
tinkled down to the floor and the
engineer swore wrathfully. The
red-head sent couple of shots in
to the night, then looked ahead as
he did so for the top of the grade,
which was close now.
AS they nosed over it, he turned
and faced the engine crew. The
train was gathering speed steadily
as it swung over the top.
"What do you reckon is on be-
hind"
They're all there. I can tell by
the way she pulls" the engineer
said. He mopped the sweat from his
brow with a grimy handkerchief.
''There was three mine payrolls IN
that baggage-car safe, and if they
don't give you one of 'em, son, then
-"
The sentence went unfinished, for
the red-head had waved carelessly
and disappeared over the catwalk
atop the baggage car OF the far end,
swung down upon the platform. The
door to the baggage car was open
and he lounged in.
That's the ranny," some one SAID
from a group collected around a
man lying on the floor. One lamp
flickered dimly overhead.
Hoagy Henshaw turned around.
How'd you know this stickup
was comm Off"
81 was tryin' to sleep and seen
that jasper in the seat ahead OF
me signalin' out into the night with
matches. He got up. I followed
him out. He was tryin' to uncouple
the car"
.sWell, he's dead" Hoagy said,
'and nobody saw him do nothln'
out of the way. We got only your
word for it."
'sHe's right, Hoagy," the gambler
put in. 81 saw the man lighting
matches myself and wondered about
it,"
"All right, Quinn. I'll take your
word for it." He looked at the red
head. "But I'm goin' to talk to the
train crew first, before let you 60:
There's somethin' funny about this. ="
Back in the passenger coach the
black-haired puncher introduced
the gambler to the red-head.
'Rosy, this is Martin Quinn. 10
the gambler he said: "This here is
the hero of the tarin robbery, or the
robber. I dunno which. Names
Rosy Rand"
After shaking hands, they all sat
down in the gamblers seat.
.'What was the shot in here
Dave?" Rand asked.
Turner here" Qninn began.
Suddenly, he stood up and glanced
around the car. Hes gone. He
hightailed it while we were out OF
the car" He explained to the red
head what the shooting had been
about.
"Who was he? Ever seen him be-
fore?" Rand asked.
Turner shook his head. There's
not a stuffed Stetson yet that didn't
think he could choose gambler on
any grounds of his own maxim"
Quinn nodded. 'That's it. I used
to know an old-timer who said II
a gambler changes his name once a
month and keeps on the move, hes
got an even chanc of outlivin' a
dumb rustler."
Turner laughed. "And I've heard
him say it. It was Dipper-Mouth
Hartley, wasn't it?"
"He's the one," Quinn said. I'D
been led to. believe he was in the
Yuma pen."
saThat's where knew him" Tur-
ner said briefly.
Sorry" Quinn said.
He studied the two men before
him with the acuteness of a man
shrewd in the judgment OF men.
Turner was perhaps ten pounds
lighter than Rand, two inches short