The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-07-06


charter knot-hole. Here l was, per-
sonating another man, and imposing
upon one of the most prominent men
in that section of the country. In my
wrath and despair, | inwardly cursed
passes, Tom Ferguson, myself, and
last, but not least, this diabolical imbe-
cile of conductor l was too much
embarrassed to say anything aloud.
Like ray of light through the deepest
darkness, stood out the fact that the
old President was grinding out long
winded welcome to my arrival "at the
western section of our railroad chain. :"
| think that was the way he spun it..
This railroad magnate differed some
what from some have seen; he was
gentlemmly, cordial and really socia-
bic.
Assuming, I suppose, that one in my
position (treasurer would be well
versed in everything pertaining to
railroad finances, he began a
lengthy ttlStoulSc pll Idlllottu iIildllCtS.
Fortunately | knew considerable
more about that than l did about
patent brakes and spiral springs,
owing to the fact that Tom Ferguson
and had had many conversations con-
cerning the finances of his railroad,
and seeing that / had some taste for
such things, he had posted me fully.
In for lamb in fora sheep. Seeing
no way to escape, | determined to pre-
sent bold front and hob-nob this
great man the same way | would Tom
himself. In very short time we
We're deep i'll the mysteries Of stock,
common and preferred, first mortgage
and convertibles. With what effect l
talked may be judged from the fact that
old Loco closed the conversation by eX-
claiming:
Young man, you have studied your
business well. The East is no place for
YOU Come West. Here you will be
appreciated, and your talents will find
the reward they merit
Though | had some compunctions
about making the assertion, I replied
that probably | would locate West at
some future time. Upon which he
made me promise that | would advise
him when | decided to emigrate, and
he would endeavor to find me remu-
nerative and agreeable position.
AS we were nearing the city in
which he resided, he strongly urged me
to remain with him for few days.
Though had imposed upon him most
fearfully. | was not so far lost to the die
tateS of conscience as to insult his hos
pitality by becoming his guest under a
false name and reputation. Sol plead
ed a prior engagement, and he reluc-
family excused me.
After he had left me, | saw that ma
lignant conductor making for me
again, and | thought it judicious to
feign sleep, which | did whenever he
was in the car during the remainder of
my journey.
Arriving at my destination, | had IL
very pleasant visit with my old friend,
and the time of departure came alto
gether too soon to please me; but, of
course, "duty first" you know.
The first salute | received upon en-
tering the station was:
GLOW do you do, Mr.. Ferguson? :?
Going up with us to-day?'
Yes, | was going up, but | wished
heartily that he had gone to-Well, any
where where | could not meet him
though did not tell him so.
Well, that was not the only shock
| received, for on entering the car the
first person | met was the President.
| was no sooner seated than he came
and sat down alongside, and said that
he must congratulate himself on his
good fortune at meeting me again. |
could not help thinking that | cursed
my good (?) fortune at meeting him.
Railroad affairs suffered again.
After |. had been on the train short
time, / noticed that a strong-built, de
termined-looking man, seated oppo-
site, was attentively watching me-so
attentively, indeed, as to be rather an
noying. | was on the eve of speaking
to him concerning the matter, when he
followed the conductor from the car,
and | felt relieved, though | could not
say why.
In a short time this Argus-eyed gen
tleman returned, and, stepping up to
where the President and | were seated,
proceeded to arrest me for making an
illegal but successful draft on the
funds of the Blackwater Railway Com
pmy.
1t seemed, according the officers
story, that a day or so after left
home, a clerk in the treasurer's office
had embeZZled large amount of
money and left for regions unknown.
The railroad company had notified the
police of all large cities, st. Louis
among the number, of the robbery,
offering a reward for the detection of
the thief, and giving description of
his person.
The detective who arrested me and
the conductor were intimate acquaint-
ances, and the detective having said
something to the conductor about the
robbery, the conductor naturally spoke
about his having the treasurer of that
road Oh his down trip a day or so be-
fore.
The detective thinking it odd that
the treasurer would be SO far away
from home so soon after the robbery,
desired to know how l looked. Now,
YOU see, this clerk and l looked some
what alike. and Mr.. Detective was sure
he had his man
l was loud in my protestations OF
innocence, and indignant at my ar,
rest, but could not deny that | was moi
Mr.. Ferguson. The only results ofm
protest were that the railroad president
left me in disgust, while Mr.. Detective
grimly smiled, and remarked that he
never arrested any but innocent per
sons, though somehow they were al
ways convicted. To cut a long story
short, / was taken to st. Louis, ant
after remaining in prison over night
was recognized by my friends and i'm
mediately released. But. / can assure