Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-09-04
THE MAN WITH TIE RED EVE.

4 L
About eight years ago. when / had
not raiIroaded it as long as have now,
I was employed as a messenger on q
western railway. [ don't know as it is
necessary for me to say what line it
was, but [ will call it the B. I. & G. r.
R., to save myself the trouble Of pro-
nouncing the whole name.
I had not been on the run more
than month previous to the date
of the occurrence Of which [ am
going to tell you. [ had been
running on a branch route for more
than a year, and [ might have staid
there a good deal longer, if | had not
been chosen to take Paxton's place
when he went off. You see two or
three attempts had been made to rob
the express car, and at last at the end
of q long run, Paxton was found dead
in the car with bullet hole IN his
head. But the safe was closed tight
and secure, though an attempt had
been made to blow it open, which
proved Intellectual. But the strangest
part of 1t all was that the key was mis-
sing from Paxton's pocket, and it was
not found till q good six weeks after
ward. Then it was discovered at the
side of the track, with a card tied On
it, on which it was written that robbers
were in the car, and he expected they
would murder HIM if he refused to
give up the key. He was true to the
last. Well, you may suppose that [
felt the least bit squeamish about &C
cepting such an uninviting berth; but
the superintendent gave me orders, and
[ meant to do my duty, however dis
agreeable it might be- Then the pay
was larger than any had ever received
before; and [ was acquainted with a
good girl who was ready to help me in
habit a house whenever | should be
able to own one, and that was quite an
object to me, [ can assure you.
Well, everything passed off smoothly
enough for several weeks, and [ had be-
come accustomed to the route, and
made dozen or so of very pleasant
acquaintance. and l was growing to be
pretty well contented with my life [
had almost begun to think the robbers,
whoever they might be, had given up
all thoughts of ever making anything
out Of my car. and had sought another
field of operations.
One day was informed by the agent
at R that sometime within week
| would have to take charge of about
$4,000 IN specie in its transit over
our road. The officers of the express
company had been advised of this in
tended important shipment in order
that they might exercise redoubled
vigilance IN view of the great risk in
Cured IN the transportation Of such a
valuable consignment.
The evening after my conversation
with the agent, he called me into the
Office, and told me the specie was to 90
over the road the next day but one.
He produced an envelope and handed
it to me, saying as he did SO:
"There, Bill, are your orders, direct
from the superintendent, with his
own signature attached Read them
carefully and obey them to the letter,
for little mismoye might cause a
great loss to the company and cost you
your position"
Il Shall do my duty to the very let
ter" | replied.
L am sure you mean to do SO" said
the agent, shut you cannot be too
careful. Some of the members of the
light-fngered profession are smart as
lightning. The plans they can't devise
amt worth thinking of. and they are as
fertile in expedlents as the evil one
himself. | thought I'd just put you on
your guard In friendly way, and"
There was slight sound at the door.
If the depot hadn't been deserted by
every one except us two, and the switch
engine hadn't been up at the end of the
yard, where we could hear its incessant
putting. [ don't believe we could have
heard the sound at ALL But we both
noticed it at once, and as I looked out
Of the Office into the large room beyond
| saw a man standing just inside the
outer door, with his head inclined to-
ward us as if be was trying to oyerheal
our conversation. He saw me abou
the time [ first noticed him. | knew
1t from the little start of surprise he
gave as his eyes met mine. .,s,.s...
He was all over his surprise IN a min
ute, for he drew his face down to an ex
preston OF the utmost unconcern, anC
came boldly forward to the windows o
the office through which the agent al
ways transacted any business he nigh
have with persons without.
He was very fair appearing man