Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-08-06
A RAILROAD INCIDENT.

was comfortably seated IN the car Win
my travelling cap occupying the seat by
my side, which thought would lead to
the superstition that it was taken, ruse
that ! was prompted to adopt by dis
relish entertained for strange company.
| was not, however, successful, for two
men entered the car together, one Of
whom, advancing towards me, asked if
the seat was disengaged. l replied that
it was, and after l had picked up my cap
he took his place by my side. Instinct
lively felt dislike for the man. He
was well, though rather slightly over
dressed, and was evidently disposed to
be sociable; but inasmuch as l did not
feel in the best of humors, consequent up
on the upsetting of my plan Of monopoli-
zing an entire seat TO myself gave him
no encouragement, but responded to his
apparently polite queries by short and
crusty monosyllables. A suspicion for a
momeut struck me that some one behind
me was interfering with the contents Of
my pockets, but as they contained moth
ing valuable, concluded I was deceived.
The seats opposite me was occupied by
two German friends, and at a stopping
| place one Of them got up and left the car,
when his place was taken by the stranger
whom supposed was disgasted with my
taciturnity. On the Germans return he
demanded his place, but the stranger in
sisted upon his right to retain it, and a
quarrel ensued, which was only termina-
ted by invoking the authority Of the con-
ductor, when the stranger yielded his
claim and left the car.
4 few moments only had elapsed when
a hustle was heard. The stranger sud
denly rushed in, suddenly dropped in a
a seat by my side, snatehed off his hat
and covered his head with his travelling
cap. 1t was all the work of an instant.
He had been followed by others, who bur
|, riedly passed through the car, peeping
anxiously into the face of each passen-
ger. They returned and one Of them
stopped before my seat, and after brief
E, glance at the face Of my companion, ex-
l. claimed neryously Here is the thief
give me back my money
An indignant denial failed to pacify
his accuser, and gentleman declared
that if there was thief in the car, they
had the right man, explaining his abrupt
entrance and change of head gear. What
tempted me to interfere l cannot tell.
urged that the exchange of the hat fol-
the travelling cap was not an unusual Oc-
currencc, and in proof declared that wa:
a habit that L frequently INDUCED in.
That fellow is his accomplish said {
man in the corner. i saw them in con
versation together, and if the accused i
thief, the one alongside of him is NJ
better
/ am not naturally coward. I fee
that under most circumstances 1 coulc
retain my composure, and have passe,
thro' some strange and trying scenes du
ring my brief existence, but the position
in which found myself, surrounded b,
strangers, without a single soul near M
to vouch for my responsibility, and &C
cused of being pickpocket, or the con
lederate Of one, caused the blood to noun
to my temples, and my limbs TO tremblt
A proposition was made that we shout
be searched. To this l gladly assenteC
and stepped forward to the degrading il
vestigation. Nothing, however, wa
found on me that belonged to any on
except myself and was released.
Meanwhile 1 had regained my compt
sure, and taking into consideration tn
facts connected with the accused, his fee
ing in my pockets on his first taking h
place by my side, for it must have bee
him instead of an innocent person whol
l had suspected and his change of plac
evidently in search Of plumber, 1 felt col
nv WINGED Of his guilt. He was standin
m doggedly in the corner, in front of II
No. water urn, with his hands behind him.
is l watched him closely. I saw him raj.
an his left hand and return it to its propt
nv position. The movements had escape
to the others. His hands had evident
of not been idle before his pockets were b
as ing turned wrong side out. They four
ore nothing on him.
The Tn man who had been robbed was
do afearful state of excitement. A packa!
IN containing over $1,000, the proceeds
md sale of cattle, besides his wallet h.
be been taken from him. He declared hir
his self ruined. had noticed a glance
intelligence passing between the m;
till who was submitting to the searching pr