Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-09-06
TALE OF THE TRACK.

About eight years ago, when I had not
railroaded as long as have now, was
employed as a messenger On a Western
railroad. don't know as it is necessary
for me to say what line it was, but I will
call it the B. T. &. G. r. R., just because
it will save me the trouble of pronouncing
the whole name.
he'd not been on the run more than a
month previous to the date of the occur
renee of which am going to tell you. l
had been running on branch route for
more than year, might have staid
there longer if had not been chosen to
take Paxon'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 a long run, Paxton was found dead
in the Car with bullet in his head. But
the safe was left tight and secure, although
an attempt was made to blow it open, but
to no avail. The strangest palD of it was
that the key was missing from Paxton s
pocket, and net found until six weeks az
| terward. Then it was discovered at the
/ side of the track, with card to it, on
which it was written that robbers were in
the car, and he expected they would MUIR
der him If he refused to give up the key.
He was true to the last. Well, you may
suppose that felt just the least bit squeam-
ish about accepting such an uninviting
berth; but the superintendent gave me Or
dels, and I meant to do my duty, however
disagreeable it might be-. Then the pay
was larger than had ever received before;
and as was acquainted with good girl,
who was ready to help me inhabit house
whenever should be able to own one,
that was quite an object to me, can as
sure you. .-t
Well, everything passed of smoothly
enough for several weeks, and I had be-
come accustomed to the route, and made
dozen or more acquaintance, and 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 thought of ever making anything
out of my car, and had found another field
of operation.
One day was Informed by the agent at
R-that sometime within a week i
would have charge of about $4,000 in
specie, in transit over our road. on its way
from Was hington to San Francisco. The
officers of the company had taen advised
of this important shipment, in order that
they might exercise redoubled vigilance in
view of the great risk to be incurred in the
transportation Of such a valuable cOnsign-
ment.
The evening after my conversation with
the agent he called me into the office, and
told me that the specie was to go over the
road the next day, but one. He produced
All 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 a little missmove
might cause great loss to the company,
and cost you your POSITION
II shall do my duty, to the very letter, T"
[ replied.
II am sure you mean to do so, ;" returned
the agent, but you can't be too careful.
some of the members of the long-fngered
procession are as quick as lightning. The
plans they can't devise amt wor6h think.
ing of, and they are as fertile in expedient
, as the devil himself. 1 thought I'd just
put you on your guard in friendly man
ner. 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 yard, where we
couldn't hear its incessant putting, I don't
believe we would have heard it at all. But
we both noticed it at once, and as I looked
out of the Office into the very large room
beyond, 1 saw man standing just inside
the outer door, with his head inclined TO-
ward us, as if he was trying to overhear
our conversation. He saw me about the
time first noticed him. I knew it from
the little start of surprise he gave me as
his eyes met mine.
He was over his awkwardness in a min
ute, for he drew his face down to an ex-
preston Of the utmost unconcern and
came boldly forward to the window OF the
Office, through which the agent transacted
any business he might have with persons
without.
He was a very fair appearing man, ap'