Naturally such a story was of great interest to St. Louis, as well as to all the other cities near at hand. It smacked5 of the lawlessness of the ’forties. All banks, express companies, railroads and financial institutions generally were intensely interested. The whole front page was given to this deed, and it was worth it, although during my short career in journalism6 in this region no less than a dozen amazing train robberies took place in as many months in the region bounded by the Mississippi and the Rockies, the Canadian line and the Gulf7. Four or five of them occurred within a hundred miles of St. Louis.
The truth about this particular robbery was that there had not been seven bandits but just one, an ex-railroad hand, turned robber for this occasion only, and armed, as subsequent developments proved, with but a brace8 of revolvers, each containing six shots, and a few sticks of fuse-prepared giant powder! Despite the glowing newspaper account which made of this a most desperate and murderous affair, there had been no prowling up and down the aisles9 of the cars by bandits armed to the teeth, as a number of passengers insisted (among whom was the Governor of the State, his Lieutenant-Governor, several officers of his staff, all returning from a military banquet or feast somewhere). Nor was there any shooting at passengers who ventured to peer out into the darkness. Just this one lone1 bandit, who was very busy up in the front attending to the robbing. What made this story all the more ridiculous in the light of later developments was that at the time the train stopped in the darkness and the imaginary bandits began to shout and fire shots, and even to rob the passengers of their watches, pins, purses, these worthies10 of the State, or so it was claimed in guffawing11 newspaper circles afterward12, crawled under their seats or into their berths13 and did not emerge until the train was well on its way once more. Long before the true story of the lone bandit came out, the presence of the Governor and his staff was well known and had lent luster14 to the deed and strengthened the interest which later attached to the story of the real bandit.
The St. Louis newspaper files for 1893 will show whether or not I am correct. This lone bandit, as it was later indisputably proved, was nothing more than an ex-farm hand turned railroad hand and then “baggage-smasher” at a small station. Owing to love and poverty he had plotted this astounding15 coup2, which, once all its details were revealed, fascinated the American public from coast to coast. That a lone individual should undertake such an astounding task was uppermost in everybody’s mind, including that of our city editors, and to the task of unraveling it they now bent16 their every effort.
When the robbery occurred I was working for the Globe-Democrat; later, when it was discovered by detectives working for the railroad and the express company who the star robber was, I was connected with the Republic. Early one afternoon I was shown a telegram from some backwoods town in Missouri—let us say Bald Knob, just for a name’s sake—that Lem Rollins (that name will do as well as any other), an ex-employee of the Missouri Pacific, had been arrested by detectives for the road and express company for the crime, and that upon searching his room they had found most of the stolen money. Also, because of other facts with which he had been confronted he had confessed that he and he alone had been guilty of the express robbery. The dispatch added that he had shown the detectives where the remainder of the money lay hidden, and that this very afternoon he would be en route to St. Louis, scheduled to arrive over the St. Louis & San Francisco, and that he would be confined in the county jail here. Imagine the excitement. The burglar had not told how he had accomplished17 this great feat18, and here he was now en route to St. Louis, and might be met and interviewed on the train. From a news point of view the story was immense.
When I came in Wandell exclaimed: “I’ll tell you what you do, Dreiser—Lord! I thought you wouldn’t come back in time! Here’s a St. Louis & San Francisco time-table; according to it you can take a local that leaves here at two-fifteen and get as far as this place, Pacific, where the incoming express stops. It’s just possible that the Globe and the other papers haven’t got hold of this yet—maybe they have, but whatever happens, we won’t get licked, and that’s the main thing.”
I hurried down to the union Station, but when I asked for a ticket to Pacific, the ticket agent asked “Which road?”
“Are there two?”
“Sure, Missouri Pacific, and St. Louis & San Francisco.”
“They both go to the same place, do they?”
“Yes; they meet there.”
“Which train leaves first?”
“St. Louis & San Francisco. It’s waiting now.”
I hurried to it, but the thought of this other road in from Pacific troubled me. Suppose the bandit should be on the other train instead of on this! I consulted with the conductor when he came for my ticket and was told that Pacific was the only place at which these two roads met, one going west and the other southwest from there. “Good,” I thought. “Then he is certain to be on this line.”
But now another thought came to me: supposing reporters from other papers were aboard, especially the Globe-Democrat! I rose and walked forward to the smoker19, and there, to my great disgust and nervous dissatisfaction, was Galvin, red-headed, serene20, a cigar between his teeth, slumped21 low in his seat smoking and reading a paper as calmly as though he were bent upon the most unimportant task in the world.
“How now?” I asked myself. “The Globe has sent that swine! Here he is, and these country detectives and railroad men will be sure, on the instant, to make friends with him and do their best to serve him. They like that sort of man. They may even give him details which they will refuse to give me. I shall have to interview my man in front of him, and he will get the benefit of all my questions! At his request they may even refuse to let me interview him!”
I returned to my seat nervous and much troubled, all the more so because I now recalled Galvin’s threat. But I was determined22 to give him the tussle23 of his life. Now we would see whether he could beat me or not—not, if fair play were exercised; of that I felt confident. Why, he could not even write a decent line! Why should I be afraid of him?... But I was, just the same.
As the dreary24 local drew near Pacific I became more and more nervous. When we drew up at the platform I jumped down, all alive with the determination not to be outdone. I saw Galvin leap out, and on the instant he spied me. I never saw a face change more quickly from an expression of ease and assurance to one of bristling25 opposition26 and distrust. How he hated me. He looked about to see who else might dismount, then, seeing no one, he bustled27 up to the station agent to see when the train from the west was due. I decided28 not to trail, and sought information from the conductor, who assured me that the eastbound express would probably be on time, five minutes later.
“It always stops here, does it?” I inquired anxiously.
“It always stops.”
As we talked Galvin came back to the platform and stood looking up the track. Our train now pulled out, and a few minutes later the whistle of the express was heard. Now for a real contest, I thought. Somewhere in one of those cars would be the bandit surrounded by detectives, and my duty was to get to him first, to explain who I was and begin my questioning, overawing Galvin perhaps with the ease with which I should take charge. Maybe the bandit would not want to talk; if so I must make him, cajole him or his captors, or both. No doubt, since I was the better interviewer, or so I thought, I should have to do all the talking, and this wretch29 would make notes or make a deal with the detectives while I was talking. In a few moments the train was rolling into the station, and then I saw my friend Galvin leap aboard and with that iron effrontery30 and savageness31 which I always hated in him, begin to race through the cars. I was about to follow him when I saw the conductor stepping down beside me.
“Is that train robber they are bringing in from Bald Knob on here? I’m from the Republic, and I’ve been sent out here to interview him.”
“You’re on the wrong road, brother,” he smiled. “He’s not on here. They’re bringing him in over the Missouri Pacific. They took him across from Bald Knob to Denton and caught the train there—but I’ll tell you,” and he consulted his watch, “you might be able to catch that yet if you run for it. It’s only across the field here. You see that little yellow station over there? Well, that’s the Missouri Pacific depot32. I don’t know whether it stops here or not, but it may. It’s due now, but sometimes it’s a little late. You’ll have to run for it though; you haven’t a minute to spare.”
“You wouldn’t fool me about a thing like this, would you?” I pleaded.
“Not for anything. I know how you feel. If you can get on that train you’ll find him, unless they’ve taken him off somewhere else.”
I don’t remember if I even stopped to thank him. Instead of following Galvin into the cars I now leaped to the little path which cut diagonally across this long field, evidently well worn by human feet. As I ran I looked back once or twice to see if my enemy was following me, but apparently33 he had not seen me. I now looked forward eagerly toward this other station, but, as I ran, I saw the semaphore arm, which stood at right angles opposite the station, lower for a clear track for some train. At the same time I spied a mail-bag hanging out on an express arm, indicating that whatever this train was it was not going to stop here. I turned, still uncertain as to whether I had made a mistake in not searching the other train after all. Supposing the conductor had fooled me.... Supposing the burglar were on there, and Galvin was already beginning to question him! Oh, Lord, what a beat! And what would happen to me then? Was it another case of three shows and no critic? I slowed up in my running, chill beads34 of sweat bursting through my pores, but as I did so I saw the St. Louis & San Francisco train begin to move and from it, as if shot out of it, leaped Galvin.
“Ha!” I thought. “Then the robber is not on there! Galvin has just discovered it! He knows now that he is coming in on this line”——for I could see him running along the path. “Oh, kind Heaven, if I can beat him to it! If I can only get on and leave him behind! He has all of a thousand feet still to run, and I am here!”
Desperately35 I ran into the station, thrust my head in at the open office window and called:
“When is this St. Louis express due here?”
“Now,” he replied surlily.
“Does it stop?”
“No, it don’t stop.”
“Can it be stopped?”
“It can not!”
“You mean that you have no right to stop it?”
“I mean I won’t stop it!”
“Oh, Lord,” I thought. “Here it comes, and he won’t let me on, and Galvin will be here any minute!” For the moment I was even willing that Galvin should catch it too, if only I could get on. Think of what Wandell would think if I missed it!
“Will five dollars stop it?” I asked desperately, diving into my pocket.
“No.”
“Will ten?”
“It might,” he replied crustily.
“Stop it,” I urged and handed over the bill.
The agent took it, grabbed a tablet of yellow order blanks which lay before him, scribbled37 something on the face of one and ran out to the track. At the same time he called to me:
“Run on down the track. Run after it. She won’t stop here. She can’t. Run on. She’ll go a thousand feet before she can slow up.”
I ran, while he stood there holding up this thin sheet of yellow paper. As I ran I heard the express rushing up behind me. On the instant it was alongside and past, its wheels grinding and emitting sparks. It was stopping! I should get on, and oh, glory be! Galvin would not! Fine! I could hear the gritty screech38 of the wheels against the brakes as the train came to a full stop. Now I would make it, and what a victory! I came up to it and climbed aboard, but, looking back, I saw to my horror that my rival had almost caught up and was now close at hand, not a hundred feet behind. He had seen the signal, had seen me running, and instead of running to the station had taken a diagonal tack39 and followed me. I saw that he would make the train. I tried to signal the agent behind to let the train go, but he had already done so. The conductor came out on the rear platform and I appealed to him.
“Let her go!” I pleaded. “Let her go! It’s all right! Go on!”
“No, no, no! Don’t let him on!” I pleaded. “I arranged to stop this train! I’m from the Republic! He’s nobody! He’s no right on here!” But even as I spoke41 up came Galvin, breathless and perspiring42, and crawled eagerly on, a leer of mingled43 triumph and joy at my discomfiture44 written all over his face. If I had had more courage I would have beaten him off. As it was, I merely groaned45. To think that I should have done all this for him!
“Is that so?” he sneered46. “You think you’ll leave me behind, do you? Well, I fooled you this trip, didn’t I?” and his lip curled.
I was beaten. It was an immensely painful moment for me, to lose when I had everything in my own hands. My spirits fell so for the moment that I did not even trouble to inquire whether the robber was on the train. I ambled47 in after my rival, who had proceeded on his eager way, satisfied that I should have to beat him in the quality of the interview.
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1
lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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dynamite
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| n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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5
smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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journalism
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| n.新闻工作，报业 | |
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7
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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8
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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9
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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11
guffawing
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| v.大笑，狂笑( guffaw的现在分词 ) | |
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12
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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14
luster
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| n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉 | |
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15
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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16
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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smoker
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| n.吸烟者，吸烟车厢，吸烟室 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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slumped
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| 大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下] | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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tussle
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| n.&v.扭打，搏斗，争辩 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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28
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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29
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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30
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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31
savageness
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| 天然，野蛮 | |
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depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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scribbled
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| v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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38
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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39
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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41
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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42
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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43
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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44
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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45
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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46
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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