The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-11-15

expressed my willingness 10 have done
so had | any adventure to tell, but added !:
- have some cigars, and If you will both
accept one we will cndeavor to pass pleas.
ant hour"
The short man took the proffered weed and
commenced his story, as follows:
II may be four years ago, and il may be
FIVE, tina, was called by business from my
home at Yarmouth to London 1t was about
a law suit, and az there was plenty Of money
and the costs likely to come out of the estate,
we witnesses we pretty well treated by the
lawyers; at least they treated me well
enough and dropped me sovereign over
and above the usual fees. Well, the case
being over early in the day, determined to
go and see some sights, enjoy myself and
return by this same train. arrived at the
station pretty carly, for having enjoyed my
self, was in good humor and thought how
should like to have some jolly companion
with cigar TO join me on the line down.
walked up and down the platform, but there
were few passengers that night, and could
see none liked. Well, got my little friend
refilled there he tapped the region where re-
posed bottle case), and stepped into Sec
ond-class car. found was alone, and said,
f" Halo, Jim, this is not the sort Of company
you bargained for; however, you are not
the sort Of boy to meet sorrow half way"
Remarking this took a seat, porter shut
the door, and the train was about to start
when there was hurried stamp on the plat
form and man jumped in. The door was
shut, and before had time to see what my
companion was like, the train had started
and was in full career. lie appeared TO be
figure Of the largest, if were to judge by
4 ~ ~ lie,
by a slouched nat, the brim Of which was
turned down in such way rs to conceal his
face. Not liking his appearance, l sat quiet
in corner.
"You don't seem very sociablc, neighbour"
he began; "come, be sociable."
replied that Il had no objection if on
" knew how"
"Well,' he replied, " first take pull at
this" drawing out huge bottle, "and then
we will have a game Of cards."
l answered that was a teetotaler, and
never played cards.
"Now don't tell me none of your lies, he
said. "Not drink, eli ?" and lie accompan-
led his words with dig in my right side, on
my bottle case.
The blow was gigantic !; the force Of that
mans hand you can not imagine; my bottle
was broken in bits, and the LIQUOR running
out discolored my coat.
"a tectotaler, ell :" said he; "this smells
wonderfully like rum. Now, tell you what,
my cove" says he, pulling out pistol :" sit
down at once (for had started to my feet),
or will leave one alive in this carriage, and
promise it shan't be you" He held his
pistol close to my head, and was forced to
obey.
''Now tell you what, am quiet and
peaceable, but you shall be sociable, and
play, and drink-come."
lie handed me the bottle and pretended
to drink.
"Now," said he, bringing forward the
cards, "what shall we play! You don't
know, eh-well, we will play hockey. Twill
be banker; ! will put four packs down: you
put money down on three will double it,
and if the one comes up uncovered highest,
| win; if not, you. Of course you won't
stake anything low"
protested had no money, but he spoke
in such feeling way Of the trouble should
cause him to search me for my purse, that AT
last pulled it out it contained about thirty
pounds. l covered the packs and of course
l lost at once in few minutes all my mon.
ey was gone.
"Now. let me see, your watch, chain and
rings are worth twenty pounds-just stake
Thorn, said he, with awful emphasis. did
SO, and they were gone.
"well," he said, ''your clothes are good,
we will play for them. Of course, as
gentleman you will redeem them in money,
won't you! Say five pounds you stake,
coyer-wcn again, never was such luck.
Well, don't know, you seem shabby crit
ter; I'd best have them while can !" and
seizing me he deliberately stripped me of all
my clothes, one by one. | struggled and
screamed, but it was no good. He stripped
me to my very stockings begged, pray
ed for rag to cover me, for the night was
cold.
You may think yourself we'll of alive"
he said. Never mind, gladly thought, the
train slackens speed. Wolverton is here.
Alas! as spoke, the wretch stepped into
the darkness, and before l, a naked, wretch
ed man. could make the people at the station
understand what had happened, he had gone
beyond recall.
All l ever recovered was my white great
coat, which the villain had dropped in his