The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-06-01
The Way it was Done.

that vast structure called the \. and y. r..
K. depot, the train was to leave at half past
twelve. clutched my belt-it was there and
the solid substance therein chinked all right.
In that leather strap was four thoustand dol
lars in gold, which had obtained at swim
ter's Bank" for paper currency that institu-
J ton redeemed. looked about for a COM
Portable place to lie down. Disappointed, l
took the first seat | came to, and endeavored
70 rest as even duty and care had succumbed
to the demands Of the somnolent Morpheus
Twas pretty rough riding, as the road was
not remarkable for its smoothness, and an
occasional bump of my intellectual organs
was just sufficient to keep me from snoring
soundly, Or forgetting myself in the pleasure
of sleep.
"Will YOU take my shawl 81 said gentle
man behind me, whom | recognized as my
depot acquaintance. "If you can spare it,
said |, and as was chilly it was indeed wei
come. He placed it under my head and
shoulders, and was putting it around my back
when objected, as it was unnecessary Re
taxing my nerves and assuming an easier po-
>ition, fell off precpitatcly into the valley
Of dreams.
Fare, sir, said a rough but honest look
ms man. | felt for NY pocket-book. 1t Was
gone. run my hand about my waist. The
belt, too, was gone. jumped from my sea,
txclaimins:
"l've been robbed" The conductor looked
at me increuulously.
This is the \. and v X. r.. and shall
make it responsible for this outrageous theft,
warmly spoke, rot considering the legal
points in the case.
/ "lou are mistaken. sir, this is the |. O.
and 6. I. II. X. You came aboard several
stations back. Thinking you were sick, l
did not disturb you.and wouldn't now were !,
not at the end OF my route
! All this he voucisated to explain in CON
ciliatory manner, not knowing but that | was
(. bank president, being somewhat airy in my
speech.
"All have to say is that have not cent
to pay my fare with. and must trust to luck
TO get back to tie village where got into
this CIR, to see If something Cannot he done
to recover my four thousand dollars -
The train back TO Burke will leave in &
bout fifteen minutes, ard as this is my rort"
shall take YOU back with ME. so that in cas-,
YOU get the money You say YOU have lost,
may set my fare. AS | shall lay over a,
Burke part of tomorrow afternoon. perhaps
may aid YOU in finding clue to Your los,
funds"
The conductor, impressed with my earnes.
manner entered into the subject with i4oro
interest than had anticipated.
was now thoroughly alarmed, and ttalel
it was impossible to obtain any information
about my cash. knew that went to sle,I
on the " and Y. Il. H., that a gentleman
gave me a shawl to rest my weary head up
on, that since that time remembered moth
ins but my reyeries and Nightmares. | ais,
knew that between the two railroad line
there was about mile of stagins.a land | mus
have come to this train by that route. The
more thought the more wondered. ant
being some~h hat supcrstitiols, | more THAI
half suspected that | had been spilituall!
controlled.
How long slept do not remember, bu
| woke without an effort. We arri> cd "a
Burke, and the sun was shining brightly up
on the snow-caplcd houses and hills, aut
, sleigh bells jinsled in the street. | had ;
presentiment that if the individual that | be
came acqua nted with in the depot were hs
who robbed me, should find him at Ger
tain private house in Burke, which he hai
, mentioned in conversation TO an apparen
stranger who sat beside him. 18th the con
; ductor as my cicerone, | found a magistrate
: laid my case before him, and gave my opn
ion of the whereabouts of the tLief or thieves
Two constabcs were instructed to visit tn,
houses.
In company with the officers, walking th'
: street, with the shawl had received on th'
: Y. and u line bundled about my face, no
,iced it had peculiar oGor, which affected
1 me to dizziness | took it off and carried i
s on nv arm, and had proceeded but shor
: distance when saw two men On the oppo
: site side of the way. pointing toward NE. II.
e s,inct said "Ihey are the robbers" ChaS
: was given, ard after long race, knock
e down and some blood drawn, the men wer
K secured and taken to the court house for ex
t animation The greater portion of the fou
: thousand dollars vas found upon them, onl
y seventy five dollars having been spent b.
: them. was in high spirits and perfectl
J. happy. with one exception, and that was th
: desire to know how had been robbed.
supposed that had been relieved of the sol,
while asleep. but did not believe it poss:bl
o that | could be plundered of a belt sewed a
> round my waist whle merely DOING Tn
. curiosity to know the isc,s in the case in
, creas d momentarily, and l finally stated tha
- | would withdraw the complaint,if the thieve
), would tell how they had accomplished tn
o deed.