The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-08
Nearly Lost.

saturday nlgnt, Us inc tlaIu iioui III
dianapolis stopped for minute at one
of the stations near Brazil, Ind, man
came hurriedly into the car, passed
down the aisle until he recognized the
gentleman for whom he was looking Ia
ell.known capitalist from Pennsylva-
MIA, who has recently been making ex-
tensive investments in COAL etc, in the
vicinity, stopped, and in an earnest
manner impaired some news which
seemed to be of great Importance.
Hastily turning to his wife, who was
sitting on the seat beside him, the gen.
tleman explained that it would be
necessary for him to step off, but she
could 90 on to Terre Haute, and he
would follow as soon as possible. AS he
was leaving the car, a thought seemed
to strike him, and turning back he
handed his wife what appeared to be a
small package of money, whispering at
the same time word of caution about
being careful with it.
Three persons in the neighborhood of
the seat had been interested spectators
of the occurrence. Two Of them sat in
the seat behind. One was a stout man,
with Grape on his hat, the other appa-
rently his son. The third was a small,
wiry-looking man, with smooth-shaven
face and remarkably piercing pair of
small gray eyes. He sat on the oppo-
site side of the car, little in the rear
Of the others. The first two, with heads
together, engaged in close conversation
in low tone, and shot frequent glances
at the lady in front, who seemed TO be
the object of the discussion. The small
man seemed to go to sleep. When the
train stopped at Terre Haute the lady
entered an omnibus with other passen-
gers, the father and son climbed TO the
top of the same vehicle, and the small,
quiet man stood outside on the step.
At the hotel the lady was shown to a
room, but the servant had scarcely left
when there was a knock on the door.
Opening it cautiously, a young man,
bare-Eeaded, with pen behind his ear,
begged pardon, but he was the clerk,
and if she had any money or valuables
about her ii would be better to have
them locked up in the safe, and he
would take charge of them for her and
deliver them at the office. Hesitating
a moment, and remembering her hus-
bands parting caution, she replied that
she would rather intrust them TO the
landlord if he would have the goodness
to come up. Certainly" said the
obliging clerk, and he posted down the
hall TO where the stout man with the
Grape on his hat was waiting. Another
knock on the door, and "the landlord"
was announced, and the plethoric pack
age Of currency was placed in his hand
with the profound gratitude of the lady
at being relieved of such a responsible.
ity. The door was shut and locked,
and the precious pair Of rascals made
their joyful way down stairs. AT the
foot Of the stairs, walking placidly back
and forth, his hands behind him, and
his eyes half closed, was the small, wiry
stranger of the cars. They were walk
ing unhesitatingly by him, and had al.
most reached the street, when he looked
up, seeming to notice them for the first
time, and spoke TO the elder of the two:
- beg your pardon" he said, "but
haven't | seen you before p -" | think
not" was the short, decisive answer.
Hold on" said the small man, plead.
ingly " haven't met you in Chicago?"
There was something of anxiety in his
tone as the other answered that he had
never been in Chicago. "Oh | beg
your pardon. really do. | was sure |
had seen you there" and he looked dis.
tressed. "But will you have the kind.
ness to walk into the hall here min
ute, and you, toe?" as the young man
was sliding out Of the door, Il have
word to say to you, just word" "Who
are your" jerked out the stout man
with mourning hat, beginning to
tremble. - want to know what busi-
ness you have stopping me in this
way?" Il am -" said the small
man, whispering the name of a well.
known Chicago detective in his ear.
land | want that lady's money, and III
put it in the safe where you promised
to put it for her. Do you understand
The package was handed over without
word. Now, look here, you fellows
must get out of this town instanter.
don't want you now; I'm after other
game but don't let me find you here
tomorrow morning-doy you hear? Now
git" And they got. And the next
morning the lady found her money in
the safe, and does not know yet she was
robbed.-BoSton Globe.