Litchfield enquirer., 1878-11-07
The Man With the Red Eye.


 About eight years ago, when I had not rail- roaded it as long as I have now, was employ ed as a messenger on a western railway. don't know as it is necessary for me to say what line it was, but will call it the B. T < G. R. R.. to save myself the trouble of prom -eancing the whole name
 1. had not been on the run more than a month previous to the date of the occurrence Of which l am going to tell you. l had been running on branch route for more than year, and might have staid there good deal longer if had not been chosen to take Fax toms place when he went of. You see, two or three attempts mad been made to rob the ex- press car, and at last, 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 blew it open, op- en, which proved intellectual. But the strang- est part of it all was that the key was missing from Paxton's pocket, and it was not found till good six weeks afterward. Then it was discovered at the side of the track, with card tied op it on whichit was written that the 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 SUD- pose that felt just the least bit squeamish about accepting such an uninviting berth but the superintendent gave me- orders, and 1 meant to do my duty however disagreeable 1t might be. Then the pay was larger than had ever received before and l was acquainted with a good girl who was ready to help me in- habit house whenever 1 should be able to own one, and that was quite an object to me, 1 can assure you.
 We'll, everything passed of smoothly enough for several weeks and I had become accustom- ed to the route, and made dozen or so very pleasant aceuaintanees, and was growing to be pretty we'll 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. e
 One day I was informed by the agent at R-that some time within week would have to take charge of about $8O, 900 in specie in it's transit over our road. The officers Of the express company had been advised of this intended important shipment in order that they might exercise greater vigilance, in view of the great risk incurred in the transportation of such valuable consignment.
 The evening after my conversation with the agent he called me into his office, and told me the specie was to go over the road the next day but one. He produced an envelope and hand ed it to me, saving as he did so:
 'There, Bill, are your orders, direct from the superintendent, with his own signature at- tached. Read them carefully and obey them to the letter, for little mismove might cause great loss to the company and cost you your position" .... ....
 ''I shall do my duty to the very letter." I replied. ..... .......s... ''I am sure you mean to do so" said the agent, ''but you cannot be too careful. Some of the members of the light fingered profession are smart as lightning. The plans they can't devise ain't worth thinking of, and they are as fertile in expedients as the evil one himself. 1 thought I'd just put you on your guard in | friendly way, and" the depot hadn't been deserted by every one expect us two, and the switch engine hadn't been up at the end of the yard where we could hear it's incessant puffing, don't believe we would have heard the sound at all. But we both noticed it at once, and as 1 looked out of the office into the large room beyond 1 saw man standing just inside the outer door, with his head inclined toward us as if he were trying to overhear our conversation. He saw me about the time I first noticed him. I knew it from the little start of surprise he gave as his eyes met mine.
 He was all over his surprise in a minute, for he drew his face down to an expression of the utmost unconcern, and came boldly forward to the windows of the office through which the agent always transacted any business he might have with persons without.
 He was a very fair appearing men, appar- ently about forty, though he might have been little older. He was dressed in black and, wearing high hat, he might have passed very we'll for one of the cloth if his nose hadn't beed just trife luminous. The other parti- cularitv noticed about the man was that he had queer sort of red looking eye. It ap- peared fixed and staring, and as he came near CT concluded it was glass It was so strange and unnatural in it's expression that thought I should know it if should see it peering at me over the wall of China, ,es .....
 "Is there small package here for Isaac G. Van Scoter," he asked in a business like way, in answer to the inquring glance of the agent The agent referred to one of the big reglst- CTS on the desk, and answered in the negative.
 "Queer," said the man with the red eye. 1t ought to have come yesterday. Have you read the Eeeaaing ChrOnicle"
 And after this abrupt interrogation, the stranger stood quite motionless, eyeing 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 para graph:
 Fatal Accident This afternoon astwo men, name respectively Henry Van Scoter and c. H. Griggs, were at work chopping timber in the pineries near Scranton, a tree fell upon them, killing Van Scoter instantly, and inf1ict- ing injuries upon the person of Griggs, from which he died in less than an hour. They are residents of G.. and it is understand their remains will be taken to that place for burial
 ''Henry Van Scoter was my only brother my twin brother-who resembles me very much, and Charles Griggs was my sisters hus band. It's 8. sad blow a sad blow! l don't know how my poor sister will bear it. It's about this sad affair that Il came here chiefly. wantito send the two bodies through to G--by express, Thursday, by the 11:40 train. What will be the charges?" ss... f'l. s.5s# 'The charge will be twenty five dollars, answered the agent. L sv.z o.Fs s.vst The stranger only bowed selemnly in recog- milton of the reply. Then he was silent for minute or two, during which time he appeared to be struggling with his grief '75 1% ''The bodies will be here Thursday morn ing" he said. ''I hope you will make all ar engagements 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 go through to G"with the greatest possible expedition. ~tH#A@ The mansbowed again politely, then hesaid: "Is the telegraph office near2 must break the sorrowful news to my poor sister, I sup pose, though it's anything but pleasant duty" I told him how to reach the place he sough, and with polite 'thank you" the sad man with the red eye walked out of the office, and in a couple of minutes the sound of his foot steps died away in the distance. "A queer sort of the chap, said I. ''A little odd," answered the agent. tI wonder if he heard us talking about the specie" ?" queried ''He seems honest enough
 tsYes, said I; 'sbut I'm sure he was listen- | ing to our talk when he first saw him." ''Are you certain of it ?" the agent asked eagerly. s-1 F'Well-nc, " replied: ''not altogether cer- tain. beyond all mistake, but it looked might l fly like it can tell you.n s8 f'Suppose you go te the telegraph office and see what kind of a message he sends, suggest l ed the agent.
 No sooner said than done I hastened around tothe telegraph office, and as went in the man came out. He didn't Seem to re- cognize me at least he didn't look at me- | n thoai0ht r,r1,riopf ffe hirv,