The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-02-09

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sistance, which would almost certainly follow
if my suspicious were correct; and the late
ness of the hour rendering it itimprobable that
could obtain aid should it be necessary -
these considerations prevented me from car
rying out my first intention, and when the
unconscious object of my scrutiny put out
his light and left the depot, went in an op-
posite direction to my quarters, determined,
however, to give him but one more chance to
continue Lii; depredations.
The next night he robbed his last mail
bag. Obtaining an interview with the Su-
perintencent of the railroad, | for the first
time laid the facts before him, for the pur-
pose of securing some assistance in the pros
ecution Of my plans which he oal y could rem
der. ] wished to provide place of conceal :
ment in that retired part Of the depot where
the mails had been taken ON the precedn.
evening; and as empty -arS ere frequently
left standing over nj gnt ~,<&n s,n,e "f the
unoccupiel tracks, it was arranged to leave a
car near the place mentioned for my exclu
sivc occupancy. From the = loop-hole of
this retreat could determine witt. some ac-
curacv the nature Of snch mysterious move
ments as hal before witnessed in that yicin
itv.
Lest the baggage room should be chosen
this time as the sceEc of operation, a discreet
friend was stationed near that point about the
time that the mails were brought over from
tilc office, in order to "hcad Off the sus
pected iunctIonary.
For the purpose of allowing as much time
as possible the conductor of the tram which
was to take that mail had lccn telccrarhel
to come in little behind time"
Certain money packages had been rrepar-
ed, and everything being in readiness, took
my post of observation il the empty car JUS,
before the mails came from thc post-oliice.-
| had not long been stationed. before heard
the ilmllia: sound of the baggage truck. and
in moment more the baggage master ap-
pcared. trunIinS along his load of mail>.anl
coming to stand upon the platform within
fifteen feet o. NV watchiul eye.
That eve saw rapid work :o- few mo-
ment>. IIasty passes Of the right hand be
tween the mouth OF one o. the mail bags (ss
it arpeared in the dim Light to bc) and the C.,
paciou> pockets Of the sack overcoat, showed
clearly or what rnrpo>,. the mails had beer
thus taken oUt of the way and the y ell know
click of mail lock informed me that the OBJ
era ION was concluded. anl that the moment
had arrived for action on my part.
think a railroad car WAS never .mptie,
. of its contents IN much less time :han O.,
, the present OCCASION. Ard INV very intorma
introduction 10 The wholesale dealer in the
"criainll parkas,," was ahol, a. sudden. Ii
tact. he had hardly set d,wn lis barrow. at
tcr removing it "a few Yard, to il" o.itin Al 10
>ition, before was addressing him
In the nnd, OF the rin. process Just ,ie
>cribrd, had seen him open the door of ;
small apartment, hear INN. lirlt shinn.
out :or a moment while the door was opcn.-
A": II occurred t" me that an acco:nplr,
might t2 serr,tcd there for the purpose OF r..
ccIving the stolen proI erv. Accordingly
. remarked that | would like to have him ac
coulpanv ni' FOR ,muncn, into .> rooIa o:
private business to winch ;ie readily assent
ed. neither Knowing ne nor having anv sus
plcI"n OF the nature of my business. tor 9th
crwl>c h" might not have 50 chceriu.iv com
) Piled with the request
on opening the door discovered a pcrSol
within who appeared to toe who'll, unoccu
pied. except IN III Kin. cigar. think in.
, 1t probable that he was in SOM. way CONNIE.
ted With the rotlerir> | con>i!, rri i, urn
. dent II obtain assistance before making know,
: The U'lert Ui thi> Interview. aud accur,.in.l
F., spoke 20 three or four persons who had bee,
: atirar'c'i 10 the place bv tn. unwurird move
mentS. rIuc>tIns them tocal one Of the po
lice officers, some Of whom were generally i
/. the vicinity .! The railroad station
, During this deav. and in order to rrcvcn
p any attempt to escape. ! put series OF quc>
| tons 10 the baggage master. calculated to al
t lay the suspIc!on which began to be stroncl
, Indicated ty his looks.
; Did You" inquired, find, in this morn
t ing tram from Il, pocket book 10,
n there by passenger! If we can recover tn
papers, the money is less Of an object"
ms seemed 10 relieve him considerably AN
e lie rei'ed in cheerful tone,
y 81 have found no such thing. 1t isn't m
business to see through the trains, but thi
t man ;, pointing to the other person present
"Aii, II S my mistake. Did you see anv
\ thing OF pocket-book," asked, turning I
: the other person indicated
\ NJ, was Tue answer; have YOU los
: such all article -
e was relieved from the difficulty of t,,i
e question by rap on the door from the Chic
4 OF POllce. who was the man Of all others
!, wished to see.
: as he entered, intiinated to him in whis
: per what was on loot, and then turning to tn
baggage master, without any preamble or ior
: mallIy, requested Eim to hand Tie the maj
: key which he had in his possession
Il haven't any maiI-key." was the dull re
4 SpOnSe. Very we'll, then," sad /, 1--WE shal
5 have to search YOU"
/, lie turned pale, and remarked, with as
snmed careiesaness, II suppo,e know wha
r YOU want"
One OF the side pockets Of his cvercoat ap
pearlng Somewhat distcnled, commenced
my Investigation with that. The first ariic
that appeared was the large package of let
terS made up that evening for delivery at tht
neIshborIns city, before alluded to, and til,
next dive brought to light heavy distribution
packages Tor the same office. Several othel
packages o! less size we're afterwards drawr
FORTH Alter the search had been COMPLETED
the culprit was handcufled and lodged in ia
within half an hour from the time when h,
committed this depreciation.
After we had dispatched this part of the
business, we turned our attention to the com
panIon of the unfortunate baggage master
who had been observing our proceedings with
the utmost equanimity, though not withou,
interest.
i That's rather hard on Ed" said he, a
the door closed ON the culprt.
Yes replied |, ''it is. But believe We
must search you, for think you are concern
ed in this affair"
II never was searched in nv life." said he