The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-06-14
THE MAN WITH THE RED EYE.

About eight years ago, when L had
not railroaded it as long as have now,
i was employed as messenger on a
Western railway. 1 don't know as it is
necessary for me to say just what line it
was, but will call it the B. T. & G.. r.
r., just to save myself the trouble of
pronouncing the whole name.
Ihad not been on the run more than q
month previous to the date of the occur
renee of which 1 am going to tell you.
had been running on a branch route
for more than a year, and might have
staid there good deal longer if had
not been chosen to take Paxon's place
when he went off. You see two or three
attempts had been made to rob the ex-
press car, and at last, at the end of a
long run, Paxon 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
blow it open, which proved Intellectual.
But the strangest part of it all was that
the key was missing from Paxon's pocket,
and it was not found till a good six weeks
afterward. Then it was discovered at
the side OF the track, with card tied on
it, on which it was written that 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 suppose that 1 felt just
the least bit squeamish about accepting
such an uninviting berth, but the Super
intendent gave me orders, and meant
to do my duty, however disagreeable it
might be. Then the pay was larger
than / had ever received before; and as
1 was acquainted with good girl, who
was ready to help me inhabit house
whenever / should be able to own one.
that was quite an object to me, can as
sure you.
Well, everything passed off smoothly
enough for several weeks, and had be-
come accustomed to the route, and made
a dozen or 80 of very pleasant acquaint-
ances. and i was growing to be pretty
well 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 opera
tions.
One day was informed by the agent
at R that some time within week
Il would have to take charge of about
$50, 600 in specie in its transit over oui
road on its way from Washington to
San Francisco. The officers of the ex.
press company had been advised of this
intended important shipment in order
that they might exercise redoubled vigi
lance 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 the of
fee, and told me that the specie was tc
go over the road the next day but one
He produced an envelope, and handed
it to me, saying as he did so:
"There, Bill, are your orders, direc
from the Superintendent, with his owl
signature attached. Read them careful
ly, and obey them to the letter; for
little mismove might cause great los
TO the company, and cost you your pc
sition."
"I shall do my duty to the very let
ter" replied.
CT am sure you mean to do So" re
turned the agent, "but you can't be to,
careful. Some of the members of tn,
ht-fDgered profession are as smart a
lightning. The plans they can't devils,
amt worth thinking of, and they are a
fertile in expedient as the evil one him
self. thought I'd just put you on you
guard in friendly way, and"
There was slight sound at the door
If the depot hadn't been deserted b,
everyone except us two, and the switch
engine hadn't been up at the head of tn
yard, where we could hear it, incessan
putting, don't believe we would hav
beard the sound at all. But we bot
noticed it at once, and, as looked out O
the Office into the large room beyond,
saw man standing just inside the cute
door, with his head inclined toward u
as il he was trying to overhear our con
yersation. He saw me about the time
first noticed him. / knew it from tn
little start of surprise he gave as his eye
met mine.
He was all over his awkwardness in
minute, for he drew his face down to a