The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-06-13


the Office through which the agent always
transacted any business he might have
with persons without.
He was very fair appearing man,
apparently Of about 40 years, though he
might have been little older. He was
dressed in black, and, wearing a high hat,
he might have passed very well for OIL
of the cloth, if his nose hadn't been just
3 trife luminous. The other peculiarly
I noticed about the man was that he had
queer sort of red-looking eye. 1t
appeared fixed and staring, and, as he
came nearer, I concluded it was glass.
It was SO strange and unnatural in it's
expression that [ thought I should know
it if I should see it peering at me over
the great wall OF China.
SIS there a small package here for
Isaac G. Van Scoter," he asked in a
business-like way, in answer to the in
curing glance OF the agent.
The agent referred to one of the big
registers on the desk, and answered in
the negative.
"Queer," said the man with the red
eye. "It ought to have come yester-
day. Have you read the Eversing
Chronicle 2"
And after this abrupt interrogation
the stranger stood quite motionless, ey-
ing the agent intently, for as much as a
minute.
We both answered emo"
The man took paper out of his
pocket, nd, spreading it open before us,
put one OF his slender forefngers upon
the following paragraph
FATAL ACCIDENT.-This afternoon as two
men, named respectively Henry Van Scooter
and @. Ell. Griggs, were at work chopping tim
Der in the pineries near Scranton. tree fell
upon them, killing Van Scooter instantly, and
nficting injuries upon the person of Griggs
from which he died in less than an hour. They
are residents of G., and it is understood
that their remains will be taken to that place
for burial.
Henry Van Scooter was my only
brother-my twin brother-who resem-
bles me very mach, and Charley Griggs
was my sisters husband. It's a sad
blow a sad blow I don't know how
my poor sister will bear it. It's about
this sad affair that I came here chiefly.
I want to send the two bodies through
to c. by express Thursday, by the
II 40 train. What will be the charges %
"The charge will be $685." answered
the agent.
The stranger only bowed olemnly in
recognition of the reply. Then he was
silent for a minute Or two, during which
time ne appeared to be struggling with
bis grief.
"The bodies will be here Thursday
morning." he said; 81 hope you will
make all arrangements to prevent any
delay. I guess my package won't come
this week."
The agent assured him that there
would be no delay, and he might depend
on having the bodies 60 through to
c. with the greatest possible expedi-
ton.
The man bowed again politely, then
he said:
SIS the telegraph Office near? Unjust
break the sorrowful news to my poor sis
ter, I suppose, though it's anything but
pleasant duty"
I told him how to reach the place he
sought, and, with polite "thank you, "
the sad man with the red eye walked out
of the Office, and in couple Of minutes
the sounds of his footsteps died away in
the distance.
GA queer sort of chap" said I.
GA little odd, answered the agent.
81 wonder if he heard us talking about
the specie9" querled.
"He seems honest enough"
e r. L.
listening to our talk when I first saw
him.
care you certain of it?" the agent
asked, eagerly.
"Well-no," I replied; "not alto
gether certain beyond all mistake, but
it looked nightly like it, T can tell
YOU
"Suppose you go to the telegraph
office and see what kind of a message he
sends" suggested the agent.
No sooner said than done. Ihastened
around to the telegraph Office, and as I
went in the man came out. He didn't
seem to recognize meat least he didn't
look at me-and I thought it prudent not
to appear to notice him.
"Did that preacher-looking fellow
send message to CO" asked of
the operator, when had gone in and
closed the door after me-"
"Yes. Why do you ask"
"Oh, only out of curiosity,"I re-
piled. "Was it anything of importance?
The man said that his brother and
brother-in-law were both killed this af-
ternoon."
The operator took the copy of the
message from file on the table and laid
it before me- It was addressed to Mrs.
@. FL. Griggs, G., and signed Isaac
G. Van Scooter. It read:
Henry and Charles are both dead They
will be sent home Thursday.
Everything seemed consistent, and
any doubts which [ had entertained of
the good intentions of the stranger were
speedily dispelled. I didn't go back to
the Office, but turned my steps toward
my boarding place, thinking, as walked
along, that Thursday would be an I'M
common day with me, with two corpses
and $50, 900 in specie in my car.