Litchfield enquirer., 1867-12-12

guard; 'sand take my word for it, sir, he' after no good. If you don't think me pre-
 sumin', 1 should like to hear what's up" "Well' said I, ''the matter is confden
 tial one; but may tell you that we have reason to suspect that Mr. Byles' accounts are in 8 most unsatisfactory state. Gan we not intercept him, for think he intends to 'bolt?'"
 ''We shall soon see that, sir" replied the guard. his detective nature showing for $ moment; will be easily caught, reckon and as he spoke the ex-policeman led the way to the departure platform.
 Here, amid the crowd of people who bad taken their tickets and were struggling tc enter the different carriages, it was no easy matter to recognize Mir. Barton, who had doubtless his own reasons for eluding ob servatlon; and 1t was not until five minutes prior to the departute of the train that ] saw him enconsed in the corner of a third 1 class carriage.
 'Good morning, Mir. Barton," I sai6 ':you are offearly to-day.''
 The person addressed changed color a. he recognized me; but immediately recov erlng his self possession, replied
 Yes, sir, Mr. Somervillo wished me tc see = < Go. respecting those bills We hold, as soon as possible, and am on my way down."
 ''But they are all right" I said; '.for father told me so last week"
 ''Yes, sir, said the clerk, 'but my m oth- er's very ill-dying, I fear, and as MT. Son erville kindly told me to go down to F--. I said I'd do the bills, too" And having given vent to this contradictory speech the clerk blew his nose violently.
 The cool way in which this was said, and the curious looks of the other occupants oi the compartment at any other time would have quieted my suspicious, but a gentle touch on the arm reminded me of the pres ence of the guard, and I therefore said loudly, "Oh you are going to F-.'' 1 As spoke, the guard said suddenly, and 1 touched his cap respectfully. Beg your pardon sir; did you say you was going to l F~"
 'No," replied. but this gentleman is'' 1 indicating MT. Barton as spoke.
 "Nery sorry,' continued the guard "but he can't go by this train; he must wait for the Parliamentary at S:05. Tickets please, 3 he added opening the door, All the tick cts with the exception of the clerks were immediately produced. ''Now, sir, your ticket, please said the guard. Thus brought to bay, Byles alias Barton had no l alternative, so he handed the guard his ticket, and suddenly rising attempted to leave the carriage, but the detective was too quick for hlm. Before the clerks foot had touched the platform grasp was laid l upon his collar, and the carriage door clos ed. Il thought as much, said the guard as he looked at the ticket, holding the un- happy Barton the while; ''I thought so, frrfIv t,Y,/> Il l.. IT for moment"
 again, descended from the carriage, forcine Barton to follow him, when having gained the platform, he whispered few words in his ear. The man grew as pale as death exclaiming 'I never did! I swear I never did!'
 At that momert the whistle sounded and with 8 hiss and scream the train moved away. Life, liberty, hope-all seemed to fade from the unhappy wretch as the car- riages passed him and with an almost su- perhurnan effort he wrenched himself free from the guards grasp, and attempted to open one of the doors Of the departing train. Cries of ''Stop him!' were raised by the spectators, while the guard hur- ried in pursuit, but his efforts were of no avail.
 Before anyone could seize the fugitive his foot had slipped and still clinging to the handle, he Was carried along for few yards and then dashed between the plat form and the now rapidly moving train, A despairing cry and deep groun were heard over and above the rattle of the wheels, and the train passed on, leaving the mangled yet breathing form of tho un- fortunate clerk stretched across the rails. Assistance was immediately procured but 1t was of no use; but before he died the unhappy man confessed his guilt to me, and he asked my pardon. It tappeared that he had been induced to embezzle sums of money to repay losses at play with his old associates, and he had thus been led to re- turn to path of life whihc he had intend ed to have quilted forever when he enter ed my fathers business. He had contriv- ed to possess himself in all of abont e6OOO in bills and notes, some of which, to the value of e2O00 were found upon him. The remainder had been made away with and was never recovered.
 Having made such arrangements as were necessary left the station and proceeded home to communicate to my father the tragical termination of my journey, when I found he had already taken steps for ar resting Barton on his appearance in the city circumstances having arisen which pla- , ced his guilt beyond question. My father was much moved and inter- ested by the details of the death of this un- happy clerk, and by my recital of the cir cumstances of my meeting with the guard who had fully repaid the interest my pa rent had formerly taken in him. Tho fortunes of orr Iorco coop rooouo, ed the blow which the misguided Barton and managed to infict upon our credit and I consider the prosperity of the firm of Someryille Co.,, is due to my accidental meeting with, and the story told lle by the mai guard
 Curiously enough, the " Centre" church. es of New Haven and Hartford have lately taken on something of the cathedral char acter. From their great age, historical as. soclations and present wealth, they are