The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-12-26

have been little older. lie was dressed
in black, and, wearing high hat; he
might have passed very well for one of
the cloth, if his nose hadn't been just a
trihe luminous. The other popularity
noticed about the man was that he had
queer sort of red-looking eye. 1t
appeared fixed and staring, and as he
came nearer l concluded it was glass.
Is was so strange and unnatural in its
expression that l thought l should know
it if l should see it peering at me over
the wall of China.
SIS there a small package here for
Isaac G. Van ScoterP' he asked, in a
business-like way, in answer to the in
quiring 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. at ought to have come yesterday.
Have you read the EUening Journal"
And after this abrupt interrogation,
the stranger stood quite motionless,
eying the agent intently for as much
as minute. We both answered "No." "
The man took paper out of his
pocket, and spreading it open before us,
put one of his slender forefngers upon
the following paragraph:
"FATALAcoIDENT.-This afternoon as
two men, named respectively Harry
Van Scooter and G. 81. Griggs, were at
work chopping timber in the pineries
near Scanton, tree fell upon them,
killing Van Scooter instantly, and in
| flicting injuries upon the person OF
Griggs, from which he died in less than
an hour. They are residents of G.,
and it is understood 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 much, and Charlie Griggs
was my sisters husband. 1t is sad
blowl l don't know how my poor sister
will bear it. 1t is about this affair that
came here chiefly. 1 want to send the
two bodies through to G-by express
Thursday, by the IL 40 train. What
will be the charges%
"The charge will be twenty-five dol
lars answered the agent.
The stranger only bowed solemnly il
recognition of the reply. Then he was
silent for minute or two, during which
time he appeared to be struggling with
his grief.
"The bodies will be here THURSDAY
morning." he said. 1 hope you will
make all arrangements to prevent an!
delay. l guess my package will no
come this week."
The agent assured him that thert
would be no delay, and he might de
pend on having the bodies go through
to G. with the greatest possible ex
pedition.
The man bowed again politely, the1
he said:
els the telegraph Office near? 1 mus
/ break the sorrowful news to my poor
sister, 1 suppose, though it's any thing
but pleasant duty"
l told him how to reach the place h
sought, and with a polite "thank you,
the sad man with the red eye walked
out of the Office, and in couple o
minutes the sound of his footsteps die(
away in the distance.
GA queer sort of chap" l said.
GA little odd," said the agent.
"I wonder if he heard us talking
about the specie" l queried.
"He seems honest enough"
eyes," said, "but l am sure he wa
listening to our talk when 1 first oh
served him."
care you certain of it," the agen
asked, eagerly.
"Well-no," l replied; mot altogethe
certain, beyond all mistake, but it locke,
mighty like it, 1 can tell you"
."Suppose you go to the TELEGRAPH
Office and see what kind of a message h
SENDS" suggested the agent.
| No sooner said than done. Ihastene,
around to the telegraph Office, and as
went in the man came out. He didn'
seem to recognize me, at least he didn'
look at me, and 1 thought it pruden
not to notice him.
"Did that preacher-looking felloV
send message to G--F' l asked tn
operator, when had gone in and close
the door after me.
eyes; why do you askP'
"Oh, cnly out of curiosity" I replied
"Was it anything OF Importance? Tn
man said that his brother and brother
in-law were both killed this afternoon.
The operator took the copy of tn
message from the file on the table an
laid it before me. 1t was addressed I
Mrs. G. 81. Griggs, G., and signe
Isaac G. Van Scooter. 1t read: Henr
, and Charles are both dead. They wi
be sent home Thursday"
Every thing seemed consistent, an
/ any doubts I had entertained of tt
| good intentions of the stranger wel
{ speedily dissolved. / didn't go back
5 the office, but turned my steps towal
f my boarding place, thinking, as wake
/ along, Thursday would be an uncor
{ mon day with me, with two corpses ar
/, eighty thousand dollars in specie
E my car.
The money was safely deposited in tt
car an hour before the time for the ira
a to leave Thursday morning. 1t was s
s curely locked in two strong, iron-bouI
o chests; and when they were stow
e away in the large safe, and the heaN
O door made fast, thought every thil
was pretty well fixed. A few minut
It before we pulled out, two wagons pass
n the car, one of them containing ty
J. cofins, and the other six men, who we
a evidently acting as pall-bearers.
IS looked around for the bereaved broth
i with the peculiar eye, but he was I
where to be seen. l thought it was
T. little strange that he should be abse
at such time, but [ forgot all about
d in moment.
E. The cofins were placed in one end
t. the car, and after it had been arrang
t. that one of the men should come il
It the car and take look at the bod
f. when we arrived at Redwood, he sho
n hands with the others, and entered G
IN of the coaches. As the door closed
:" him the bell rang, and we went stea
r. ing away.
~ I was pretty busy for an hour or mo
,h and we had passed three or four static
ne before l had time to cast more thar
n casual glance at the passengers at
Id other end of the car But after lit
We when l had more leisure, an uncontr,
ed able wish took possession of me to Il
m at the faces of the two dead men.
IN wasn't mere morbid curiosity, an
n can't describe it in any way better Il
to to say that it was sort of vague del