Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-01

China.
lis there a small package here for
Isaac G. Van Scotterp" he asked, in a
business like way. in answer TO the In
curing glance of the agent.
The agent referred to one OF tho big
registers on the desk. and answered In
the negative.
Queer" said the man with the red
eye, at ought to have come yesterday.
Have you read the Evening Chronicle P'
And after this abrupt Interrogation
the stranger stood quite motionless, eye
ing tho agent intently for ss much as
minute.
We both answered, No"
The man took paper out oil his pock'
ct, and spreading it open before US put
one of his slender foredngers upon tho
following paragraph:
Fatal ACcIDENT.-This afternoon as
two men, named respectively Henry Van
Sco!ter and C. II. Griggs, wero at work
chopping timber in the pineries near
Scranton. tree fell upon them. killing
Van Scooter instantly, and inflicting in-
jurios upon the person OF Griggs, from
the effect OF which he died in less than
an hour. They are residents OF G. and
il is understood their remains will be
taken 10 that place tor burial"
Henry Van Scooter was my only
brother my twin brother-~ho re-
sembled me very much,' said the stran-
ger, land Charlie Griggs was my sisters
husband. It's sad blow sad blow
| don't know how my poor sister
will bear 1t. It's about this sad affair
that | came here chiefly. want to
send the two bodies through to G-by
express, Thursday. by the ll.4O Train.
Whal will be the charges !"
"The charges will be twenty-five dol
lars" answered the agent.
The stranger only bowed solemnly 10
recognition of tho reply. Then he was
silent for minute OF two. during which
time he appeared to be struggling with
his griei.
Tho bodies will be here Thursday
morning" he said. II hope you will
make all arrangements TO prevent any
delay. guess my package won't como
this week
The agent assured him that there
would be no delay. and he might depend
on having the bodies go through to G..
with the greatest possible expedition.
The man bowed again politely; then
he said:
as the telegraph office neer' must
break the sorrowful news TO my poor sis
ter. suppose. though it's anything but
pleasant duty"
told him how to reach the place he
sought. and with polite Thank you,
the sad man with red eye walked out OF
tho Office, ard in u couple of minutes the
sounds of his footsteps died away in the
distance.
"a queer SOFT of Q chap" said l.
"a litilo odd" answered the agent.
81 wonder If he heard US talking abou.
the specie ?" querled.
ale seems honest enough"
YES" said /; "but Pm sure be WAS
listening to our talk when l frs. saw
him
"Are you cortain of n'" the agent
asked eagerly.
"Well-no." l replied; not altogether
certain beyond all mistake but it looked
nightly like,it. can tell you"
Suppose you 90 to the telegraph
Office, and see what sort OF a message he
SENDS" suggested the agent.
No sooner said than done. fastened
around to the telegraph office, and as |
went In the man came out. He didn't
seem to remember me-and l thought it
prudent not TO appear to notice him.
ibid that preacher-looking chap send
message TO G-P" | asked Of the opera
tor. when had gone into the little office
and closed the door after me.
Yes. Why do you ask ?"
"Oh, only out OF curiosity" l replied.
"Wss i. anything OF importance' The
man said his brother and brolher-in-law
were both killed this afternoon"
The operator took copy OF the mes
sage from file on the table and laid 1t
before me. 1t was addressed to Mrs. e.
II. Griggs. G.. and signed Isaac Il. Van
Scooter. II read: ....
Henry and Charlie 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. l didn't 90 back to
the express Office, but turned my steps
toward my boarding-place, thinking. as
walked along, that Thursday would be
en- uncommon day with me, with two
corpses and eighty thousand dollars in
specie in my car.
The money was safely deposited in the
car an hour before the time for the train
to leave, Thursday morning. 1t was Sc
curely locked in two strong, iron bound
chests, and when they we're slowed away