Frank Reade Library, Vol. VIII, No. 191 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FRANK READE, JR., The subscription price of the PEANE READE LIBRARY by th IN TEXAS. ear {s $2.50; $1.25 per six months, post paid, Address FRANK e OUSEY, PUBLISHER, 20 Weat 26th Street, New York. FRANK READE, JR., With His New Steam Man in Texas; OR. CHASING THE TRAIN ROBBERS. By “ NONAME,” Anthor of ‘‘ Frank Heade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Central America,” etc., etc. CHAPTER I. THE TRAIN ROBBERY. ‘“*GREAT heavens! what a terrible wrong has been done Jack Fair. Why, I will swear that he is as honest and true a young man as this country holds,” Frank Reade, Jr., widely known asa dis- tinguished inventor, uttered these words in an impressive manner. He was a dark, handsome type of young man, with smooth face and fearless brown eyes. He was at the moment sitting in the molding department of the extensive works owned by’ him and devoted wholly to the manufacture of his inventions. Neur him stood a short, broad-shouldered son of the Emerald Isle, whose chief charac- teristics were his geniality anc even temper. His name was Barney O'Shea, and for many years he had been in the employ of Frank Reade, Jr. ‘‘Be me sowl, Misther Frank,” exclaimed Barney, in surprise, ‘‘ phwativer is the mat- ther now ?” ‘‘ Why, there’s the deuce to pay!” exclaim- ed Frank Reade, Jr., excitedly, as he held a newspaper in his hand. ‘*Shure, Misther Frank, yez have the best av me intoirely. Phwativer do ye mean? Has there been another airthquake in Parly- ment or an eruption in Oireland f” ‘I'm not trifling, Barney.” ‘“‘Nayther am I, sor.” “* Listen to this.” peane held the hewspaper up and began to read : ‘‘A most daring train robbery in Texas. The express messenger tied to a chair while the safe is opened and fifty thousand dollars in bank-notes is extracted. Identity of the rcbbers unknown. Arrest of the messenger, Jack Fair, who is believed to have been in league with the robbers and to have admitted them to the car. Theory that the tying of the messenger to the chair was only a ruse. Fdir held in twenty thousand dollars. De- tectives: busy on the case.” More followed, detailing the particulars of the train robbery. Frank read it through and Barney listened with interest. ‘““Therel” cried Frank, when he had finish- ed. ‘There is the unjust part of it to arrest the innocent messenger, who did his best to defend the car.” “‘ But shure there must be some good reason or they'd niver have arristed him, sor,” said Barney. “There was no reason,” protested Frank. ‘I tell sou T know Jack Fair. Hw was a schoolmate of mine, and I am ready to swear to Mis honesty.” ‘‘Shure, it’s a shame thin.” ‘““Of course it 1s. I declare, I feel as if I ought to help Jack in sore way,” said Frank, arising and pacing the floor. aoamuey finally went to another part of the shop. He had barely disappeared when another person entered the room. He was a negro, black as a coal, but with as good genial a face as one would wish to look upon. ‘*Marse Frank, I'se done brung yo’ de aft’noon extra,” said Pomp, which was the darky’s name. ‘‘I fink it likely yo’ would "ike to see it.” ‘*You are right, I would,” replied Frank, ouperly “Ts it the Times, Pomp?’ “I fink it am, sab.” “All right. I may want you in a moment. Be within call.” “* A’right, sah.” Pomp retired into an ante-room. Frank took up the extra edition of the Readestown Times, and almost the first thing his gaze rested upon was the following glar- ing caption: ‘**MorRE ABOUT THE TEXAS TRAIN Ros- ERY. ee soung. Bais is held as an accessary. President Young of the Texas Express Com- pany vows that he has proof to convict the oung messenger. Great sensation in Pecan ity. ‘* LATER! “The Post Office Department at Washing- ton are satisfied that this is the same gan that robbed the mail car last November, an have decided to offer a reward of twenty thousand dollars for the capture and convic- tion of the robbers. This is official from Washington.” Frank laid the paper down, and drew a deep breath. e paced the floor back and forth a few times, and then picked up his hat. Leaving the shop, he made his way out upon one of the principal streets of the town. Readestown had been founded by Frank's father who was a noted inventor himself, though now too old to travel as once had been his wont. Frank made his way to a telegraph office. The operator placed a blank before him, and he wrote the following message: “To THE POLICE JUSTICE OF PECAN CITy, TEXas:’ **I will go bail for Jack Fair to any amount. I will send sureties and bond by next mail properly attested. FRANK READE, Jr.” The next day the newspapers contained the statement that Frank Reade, Jr., had volun- teered to go bail for the young express mes- senger who was charged with complicity in the train. robbery. This gave the case only a new interest and everybody at once began to comment upon the ill-advised move of the famous inventor. But Frank only smiled grimlv. ‘“¥ know Jack Fair too well!" he declared, -**T would trust him witb my life.” Released on bai] Jack Fair wrote to Frank thanking him for his kindness. ‘*There is but one more thing you could do to increase my love and respect for you,” ha wrote, ‘‘and that is to come down here with our Steam Man and hunt down these vil- ainous trangressors, They will yet do much harm if their.career is not cut short.” Frank folded the letter and pursed his lips ec eatively ‘*I don’t Know but that Jack is right,” he declared. ‘I’ve a good mind to go.” But Frank’s wife was not quite ready to agree to this. She was always averse to having her dear husband go upon such perilous expeditions. It would mean a dangerous encounter with rough men and possibly Frank might lose his life in the attempt. But thus matters were when an incident occurred which decided him to act. The newspapers came out one morning with another startling headline. Beneath it was an scopunt of the wrecking of a train, the robbery of a mail car and the loss of many lives. Troops had been sent to the scene, bands of Viable had been formed, but Mike Mosel and his gang were able to bid them all defi. ance. At this juncture, one day a young man alighted from the train at} matawi: ac- companied by a stern-visaged man of middle age, at of Westerner. “* Drive us to the residence of Frank Reade, Jr.,” they said, as they entered a The cabman complied, and a few moments later the two strangers alighted at the steps of Readestown’s most palatial residence. They were shown intoa rich drawing-room, and their cards were taken. Upon one was the name, “Jack Fair ;” upon the other, ‘‘ James Rollin.” In a few moments Frank Reade, Jr., enter- ed the room. He gripped Jack Fair's hand, with tears in his eyes, saying: “You don’t know how glad I am to see you, Jack. I hear that you have been ac- quitted of the heinous charge against you.” “I have, Frank, owing to your great kind- fess in furnishing me bail and sending your own private lawyer to me. I never can fully repay you.” ‘I knew that you were innocent,” declar- ri Frank, and then looked at Jack's compan on. comicdooks (SO)