New Orleans Republican., 1873-04-06
THE STORY-TELLER.

n liz , - - 4 - - A<A@Ase
''Can sit with you
'Certalnly, sir
"Nice weather"
"Splendid, indeed"
Crops growing finely
"Yes-cOuldn't do better.
| was sitting in passenger coach on
Wisconsin railroad, one day, when good
looking, pleasant-spOken man came along,
stopped at my seat, and the above conversa.
ton took place, the latter part OF 1t after
had given him part OF my seat.
Now, | am regarded as a social man.
like a Joke, q good bit: and think sour,
mOrOse man, who uses his tongue only when
forced to, is bound to die Of some terrible
disease, and to go TO some place OF Ted-hot
punishment.
On entering a railroad car always look
about for talkative man, and then get as
close to him as possible and drain him dry,
if the journey is long enough.
And | want to state one thing more; left
an orphan before | could realize the event
which made me one, | got kicked here and
cuffed there, and grew up between folks"
as they say, | ought to have had, at the
time OF which l write, pretty thorough
knowledge of human nature, and have been
enabled to read evil in a mans face, if he
intended me evil. did not pride myself
on being over keen or extra sharp, but the
knocking around among strangers ought to
give any one good experience.
Well, the stranger and l tell into an easy
train of conversation as we rode together,
and in ten minutes ! began to enjoy his
company. He was . well-made fellow,
finely dressed, and he wore q tine watch
and simen-pure diamond ring. ! never saw
man who could talk 80 easy and pleasant
w. II seemed that he had but to open his
month and the wOruS fell right out.
had travelled in the South. 40 had he. l
heard the loud roar Of the Pacific, he
knew all about il. 1 had been up in q bal
loon, down in q mine, been blown up,
smashed up and repaired again; ny new
friend had experienced all these things and
was waiting for something new 90 turn up
of a more startling nature. We agreed on
politics, neither had any religion, and
had never met such railroad companion.
Did you ever meet a man who, though
stranger to you ten minutes before, could
wrest from you secrets which you had
sworn to yourself not to reveal. Well, he
was such a man. 1t was not long before he
commenced asking me questions. He did
not seem to try to quiz or draw me out, but
he asked me questions IN such a sly, round
about way, that before | knew it was Civ
ing him my history.
| was at that time just on the point OF be-
ing admitted to the bar OF Wisconsin a.
student of Law & Law. of Brierville The
firm were old lawyers, with lucrative
practice, and it had been talked over that
in about month | should become the Go"
of the firm. A year before farmer named
Preston, down about four miles from Graf
ton, had died, and his matters had been put
into the hands of Law & Law for settle
ment. Preston had died rich. He had
money in the bank, railroad stocks, mort
cages, etc, and everything was settled up
to the satisfaction of the relIct and the
fatherless.
About q wear before his death, being
pinched for money, and not wishing to sell
anything a a sacrifice, Preston had given a
mortgage on his farm tor $1,000. While the
papers read "for one year from date, there
was verbal agreement that it should be
lifted any day when Preston desired. A
month after, when having the money to
clear off the paper, the old money bags
holding it refused to dIsgcrge, wishing to
secure his interest for year.
| was on my way to ascertain the date Of
expiration. A fire among our Office papers
had destroyed the memoranda, and | must
go down and get the date from old Scrip,
who lives south of Grafton about five miles.
The stranger had pumped all this out of me
in ten minutes. and yet ! had never once
| suspected that he was receiving information.
pretty sure the time is the thirteenth
which would be Tuesday next
"And then yOur folks will send down the
money and discharge the mortgage. OF
coursel" he inquired.
"Ob yes. / should mos. likely bring it
down" | replied; and 1t never occurred to
me how imprudent | was.
lie turned the conversation into other
channels, and did not once attempt to pump
"a ,o+ +O lHplttOD of hal -Da st
ten, and to my great surprise he announced
that he was to stop in the town on business
TOR few days. | had not asked his name
or avoeation. while he knew rything
about me.
We went 20 the hotel. had dinner, and
then secured lively team, and drove
out, getting through with the business SO
that was back to take the 2:30 express
east. My friend was on the porch of the
hotel as ! drove up. carrying that same
honest, dignltied face.
"Well, did you find out!" he inquired.
IN his pleasant way.
''fes; it is on the thirteenth. as ! ex-
peoted,' replied.
We had lunch together. and when we
shook hands and parted. | had no more
idea of seeing him again than I have OF
knowing you. In fact, he told me that he
should sail for England in week or ten
days, ana should not return to America.
AT parting he gave me his card. It
modest piece Of pasteboard. and bore the
name OF George Raleigh" IN old English
SCRIP
Everything at the office went on as usual
and the thirteenth came at length. Law 4
Law had engaged for me TO 60 down with
the money. and looked upon it as bust.
ness OF no special Importance.
I'VE know you are all right" remarked
the senior partner. as | was about to 60:
but want 10 give you a word of warning.
nevertheless. Don't take any stranger
into your confidence until you have passed
out the money. and look out who sits next
TO you.''
1t was something new for him to caution
me, and | could not but wonder at it; but
in the hustle of getting on board the train.
| forgot what he said. Ordinary prudence
had induced me 10 place the money, which
was all in bank bills, ard divided into three
packages, under nv shirt and next to NV
skin, where the dett hand OF pickpocket
could not reach II.
Interested in a newspaper. time few bv
as the train flew West, and at length the
boarse voice of the brakeman warned me
that had reached Grafton. | had leaped
down and was making my way 10 the livery
stable. when heard . familiar voice, and