Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1878-08-24

bearers. looked around for the be-
reaved brother with the peculiar eye,
but he was nowhere to be seen.
thought it little strange that he should
be absent at such time, but I forgot all
about it in q moment.
The coffins were placed in one end oi
the car, and after it had been arranged
that one Of the men should come into
the car and take a look at the bodies
when we arrived at Redwood, he shook
hands with the others and entered one
OF the coaches. As the doors closed on
him, the bells rang and we went steam
ing away.
It was pretty busy for an hour or
more, and we had passed three or four
stations before I had time to cast more
than o casual glance toward the quiet
passengers at the end of the car. But
after a little, when had more leisure,
an uncomfortable wish took possession
OF me to look at the faces Of the two
dead men. 1t wasn't mere morbid curl
osity, and can't describe it in any way
better than to say it was sort OF vague
desire which I could not quiet without
satisfying it.
I noticed that the lids were not fast
ened down. My next discovery was that
the screws were gone. This struck me
as strange, for was sure I had noticed
them when the cofiins were lifted into
the car. I remembered that I had given
the attendants permission to arrange
the caskets to their own satisfaction,
and that they had been long time doing
it. If they had removed the screws un.
observed at that time, what possible OBJ
ject could they have had in doing sol
With this question in my mind I raised
the upper portion Of the lid Of the coffin
nearest me and took look at the face Of
the occupant. He was a young man,
with full face and square features.
His cheeks were not sunken, and he had
decidedly fresh appearance for young
man who had been dead nearly two
days, I thought
Replacing the lid, I passed away to
the other coffin. Here new and start
ling surprise met me. The man in the
coffin was the man had seen in the ex-
press oficel That red eye was staring
straight at me; and l was not mistakenl
For moment my CONSERVATION was too
great for words. I could not have utter
ed sonnd had my life depended on it.
The man who was alive after the acci-
dent, which the paper said caused the
death of Van Scooter and Griggs, and
who had made arrangements for the
transportation of their remains, was
now here in this coffin, to all appearance
dead Then I remembered that the
bereaved stranger had said that his dead
brother resembled him very closely.
But two brothers are not, apt to have
red glass.eyes Such coincidence as
this was beyond the pale Of reasonable
probabilities.
While yet I gazed at the supposed
corpse. the other eye opened little,
and 1 was sure it was looking at me. I
was convinced that there was fraud here,
but to show that had discovered it
might cost me my life. So I very
quietly replaced the lid of the coffin and
took moments time to think the mat
ter over.
I remembered my conversation with
the express agent, which feared had
been overheard by the clerical looking
stranger, and could only come to the
conclusion that the whole thing was
deliberate plan to murder me and gain
possession of the $50, 900 in my charge.
There was no denying that the man
with the red eye was alive, and had
no doubt that the other man was also.
Kneeling down, I placed my ear close to
the side Of the coffin, and could hear
him breathe quite distinctly. remem-
Der that the attendant who had boarded
the train intended to enter the car at
Redwood, ostensibly for the purpose of
seeing the bodies; and I could not doubt
that the three men intended to attack
me after the train pulled out from the
station, and rob the car before our ar
rival at the next stopping place. There
was but one station between us and
Redwood, and 1 knew we would be there
in ten minutes more. I had no time
for hesitation. Instant action was my
only chance for safety. If Icould secure
myself against an attack until we reached
the next station, I felt that all would be
we'll. In one instant I had decided
upon plan of action. As quickly as
possible piled several heavy boxes of
merchandise on top of the two coffins,
and then knew I was safe. Scarcely
was this accomplished when We ran into
the station.
1 Immediately found two or three off,
GERS. First the man in the coach was
secured. He was highly indignant that
he should be disturbed on such a solemn
mission. But it was no go. He was
handcuffed in less than two minutes and
marched out on the platform.
Tt was an easy matter to secure the
two quondam dead men. They were
taken greatly at disadvantage, and
were deprived of all power to resist al.
most before they became aware how
their uice little scheme had terminated.
All three had been we'll armed.
Bound and guarded, the three mis-
creants were taken to Redwood and
lodged in the county jail.
Before I left I took look at them
through the grated doors of their cell.
When paid my respects to the man
with the red eye, he smiled little and
remarked patronizingly:
"You're pretty sharp young man.
1t takes a middling keen boy t. outwit
u.s."
"Permit me to sympathize with you
in your sorrow at the loss Of your dear
brother, Just little" Ireplied.
The Continental Register, published
in Paris, says that an immense lottery
I: -, lx, - A. axl -