Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1878-08-24
There was q slight sound at the door.
n tho denok hadn't heeu daaerted by

There was slight sound at the door
II the depot hadn't been deserted b.
F; every one except us two, and the switcl
engine hadn't been up at the end of TIN
yard, where we could hear its incessan
putting, don't believe we would hav'
heard the sound at all. But we boil
noticed it at once, and as I looked out O
the Office into the large room beyond,
saw man standing just inside the outel
door, with his head inclined toward ui
as il he was trying to overhear 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 min.
ute, for he drew his face down toan ex.
preston Of the utmost unconcern, and
came boldly forward to the windows Of
the Office through which the agent al.
ways transacted any business he might
have with persons without.
He was'a very fair appearing man,
apparently about forty, though he
might have been little older. He was
dressed in lack, and, wearing high
hat, he might have passed very well for
one Of the cloth if his nose hadn't been
Just q trifle luminous. The other Pc
culiarity I noticed about the man was
that he had queer sort Of red.looking
eye. Itappeared fixed and staring, and
as he came nearer I concluded it was
glass. 1t was so strange and unnatural
in its expression that I thought I should
know it if should see it peering at me
over the wall Of China.
els there a small package here for
Isaac g. Van Scoter," 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. ut ought to have come yester-
day. Haveyou read the Evening Chron.
icle 2"
And after this abrupt interrogation,
the stranger stood quite motionless,
cycling the agent intently for as much
as minute.
We both answered "No."
The man took paper out of his pock-
ct, and spreading it open before us put
one of his slender forefngers upon the
following paragraph:
FATAL AccDENT-This afternoon as two
men, named respectively Henry Van Scooter
and q. H. Griggs, were at work chopping tim
Der in the pineries near Scranton, tree fell
upon them, killing Van Scooter instantly, and
inficting 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
brotherLmy twin brother-who resem-
bles me very much, and Charley Griggs
was my sisters husband. It's sad
blow | sad blow I don't know how
my poor sister will bear it. It's about
this sad affair that came here chiefly.
I want to send the two bodies through
to C. by express Thursday. by the
II 40 train. What will be the charges ?"
"The charge will be twenty-five dol
lars," answered the agent.
The stranger bowed solemnly in re-
cognition of the reply. Then he was
silent for minute or two, during which
time he appeared to be struggling with
his grief.
1.-The bodies will be here Thursday
morning." he said. 81 hope you will
make all arrangements to prevent any
delay, 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 60 through to
G. with the greatest possible expedi-
tion.
The man bowed again politely, and
then he said:
els the telegraph office near? I
must break the sorrowful news to my
poor sister, suppose, though its any
thing but pleasant duty"
I told him how to reach the place he
sought, aud with polite thank you"
the sad man with the red eye walked
out of the Office. and in couple OF min
utes the sound of his footsteps died away
in the distance.
ga queer sort of chap" said I.
"Suppose you go to the telegraph
Office and see what kind Of message he
SENDS" suggested the agent.
No sooner said than done. Ihastened
around to the telegraph Office, and as I
went in the man came out. He didn't
seem to recognize meat least he didn't |
lork at me-and thought is prudent
not ia notice him.
"Did that preacher-looking fellow |
send message to G--?" l asked of
the operator, when I had gone in and
closed the door after me.
les. why 40 you ASK!
"Oh, only out of curiosity" re-
piled. Was it anything of Importance
The man said that his brother and
brother-in- la wwerc both killed this after |
noon"
The operator took the copy of the
message from the Ale on the table and
laid it before me. 1t was addressed to |
Mrs. G. H. Griggs, c., and signed
Isaac G.. Van Scooter. 1t read:
Henry and Charles are both dead.
They will be sent home Thursday"
Everything seemed consistent, and
any doubts had entertained of the good |
intentions of the stranger we're speedily |
dissolved. / didn't go back to the Office,
but turned my steps toward my board
ing place, thinking, as I walked along |
that Thursday would be an uncommon
day with me, with two corpses and
$50, 900 in specie in my car.
The money was safely deposited in