Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-09-12

with his head inclined toward u:
as if trying to oyerhear our con
versation. He saw me about the
time | first noticed him. / knew
it from the little start of surprise
he gave as his eyes met mine.
He was all over his surprise in
minute, for he drew his face
down to an expression of the ut
most unconcern, and came boldly
forward 10 tae windows of the of
flee through which the agent al
ways transacted any business be
might have with persons without
He vas very fair appearing
man, apparently about forty
though he might have been a lit
tie older. lie was dressed in
black, and. wearing high hat, be
might have passed very well for
one Of the cloth if his nose hadn't
been just trifie luminous. The
other popularity | noticed about
the man was that he lad a queer
sort of red looking eye. 1t ap.
peared fixed and staring, and as
he came nearer concluded it was
a glass. 1t Was SO strange and
unnatural in its expression that ]
thought / should know it if ]
should see it peering over the
wall of China.
"Is there a small package here
for Isaac G. Van Scoter," he ask.
ed in business-like way, in an
swer to the inquiring 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
Ecening ChronicleS"
And after this abrupt interro
cation, the stranger stood quite
motionless, eyelng the agent in.
tently for as much as minute.
We both answered "No."
The man took a paper out of
his pocket, and spreading it open
before us put one Of bis slender
forefngers upon the following par.
agraph:
FATAL ACCIDENT.--This after.
noon as two men, named respect.
lively Henry Van Scooter and G. I'll.
Griggs, were at work chopping
timber in the pineries near Scran.
ton, a tree fell upon them, killing
Van Scooter instantly, and inflict.
ing injuries upon the person Of
Griggs, from which he died in less
than an hour. They are resi-
dents 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 resembles me very much,
and Charley Griggs was my sis
ter's husband. It's sad blow!
| don't know how my poor sister
will bear it. It's about this sad
affair that came here chiefly.
| want to send these two bodies
through TO G. by express
Thursday, by the ll:40 train.
What will be the charges?'
"rhe charges will be twenty.
FIVE dollars" answered the agent.
The stranger only bowed sol.
emnly in recognition Of the reply.
Then he was silent for minute
or two, during which time he seem
ed to be struggling with his grief.
"The bodies will be here Thurs.
day morning." he said. 81 hope
you will make all arrangements to
prevent any delay. ! guess my
package won't come this week."
The egent assured him that
there would be no delay, and he
might depend on having the bod
les go through to c. with the
greatest possible expedition"
The man bowed again politely,
then he said:
SIS the telegraph Office near
| must break the sorrowful news
to my sister, | suppose, though it's
anything but pleasant duty"
| told him how to reach the
place he sought, and, with a po
lite "thank you," the sad mar
with the red eye walked ont Of the
office, and in a couple OF minutes
the sound of his footsteps died
away 10 the distance.
ga queer sort of a chap" said |
ga little odd," answered the
agent.