The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-04-29

private detective, who is to watch the
canal boats, to see the boy as he arrives,
and to briug him to me. If they should
make any attempt to scare or corrupt
him, they will be pounced.upon and al
rested at once"
There was knock at the door, and q
man entered who hurricdly whispered to
Mr Messner That gentleman jumped
up and put on his hat.
"Come, Mr.. White" he said. VT
seems they have been sharper than we
were, and have got ahead Of US. Come ;
there is not moment to lose. We will
pick up policeman or two on the way.
fhis is the detective OF whom l just
spoke to YOU" ~
1T was not more than half-past nine at
night when Nick Pepper left the Ger
eral Burnside He had not, gone far
from the wharf, whis,ling as he went,
when he was accosted by two men, one
middle aged and the other considerably
younger They we're well-dressed, and
in appearance very gentlemanly.
Good evening", said the elder of the
two. "May ask if you came from the
canal -boat General Burnside2
"That's where I-came from," replied
Nick, who had slight suspicion that they
might be confidence men.
And is your name Nick Pepperp'
"rhat's my name," said Nick, wonder
ing how they got hold of it.
Then you are looking for Mr. Jacob
Messner. He has been anxiously ex
pecting YOU, and has sent US to nee,
you. We are two of his confidential
clerks"
s.That's all right, then," said Nick, his
suspicious vanishing at once. ."Just take
me straight to Mr.. Messner, and / viii
be obliged to you"
Perhaps that will hardly be worth
while," said the spokesman. "He is ar
old gentleman, and doesn't like to be dis.
turbed He said that you had some fs
u-es to tell him, and that you might tel
them to u.s.
"Joe," said Nick, quite abruptly.
"What2"
"Joe," repeated Nick.
"Mv name is not Joe. What do yol
mean p
IL mean that you don't get no figure:
from me, Mr.. Messner is the man
want to see."
&C me on, then"
4 The two men stopped in front Of so
loon and invited the boy to walk in ant
drink with them.
mo, thank you," replied Nick. ! ney
er drink"
wont you stop in, then, and see u
take something ?"
IL would rather wait out here"
swell, never mind. We don't care t,
tfrfnk We only wanted to be polite u
lyon as stranger. We will 60 now ant
see Mr. Messner, and we will be likel.
TO find him in his downtown cffice, a
be has had some troublesome settlement
to make lately, and has been goin,
through his books at night"
After walking q few blocks further
they turned into narrow street whicl
seemed to he deserted, as there wa
nothing in it but warehouses, in whicl
no business was done at that hour.
They stopped at warehouse on th
corner of an alley. and the elder of tn
two men took key from his pocket AM
opened the door, first looking around I,
make sure that no one was watching
him. He probably did not see ma
who had followed the party at a shor
distance, and who ran off in another d
rection as they entered the warehouse
As soon as the three were within, th
,lder man inserted key in the inside Q
the lock, and locked the door.
The old gentleman is afraid OF rob
, bers," he said, and always insists OF
keeping the door locked"
The place was dark as it is possibl
for darkness to be. and it was not unit
+ one Of the men had touched mate
and lighted lantern that Nick Peppe
was able to look. about. He then. sal
| that he was in o long room which wa
entirely empty. with the exception of
broken counter and an old box.
This is queer place." said Nick, q
he accompanied his conductors to th
rear end of the room. 1t don't look q
il any business"
!, Before he could finish the sentence
was seized around the body by the eide
man, and the younger one tied his hand
, behind his back with handkerchief.
The attack was 30 sudden and start
ling that he did not think to scream be
fore their object was accomplished the
as soon as be opened his mouth, cock
ed pistol was thrust into his face, and b
was threatened with instant death il b
!, should make an outcr,.
"What il the matter with your" b
? asked. ,"What do you mean 2"
1--WE want those numbers" said th
elder man, "and we mean to have then
e Give them to us and you may go free
9 if not, l will blow your brains out"
D "You don't get no figures from me,
e doggedly replied the boy.
The man hesitated and then laid dow
his pistol.
s.Give me that cord, SAM" be said
r 1--WE will see how he likes to he strun
y ur."
u The young man produced long, g,sto,
a cord, and the elder made a slir-noose
e one end, which he placed around Il
b boys neck, throwing the other end ov'
a beam.
"Give us the numbers" he said, "t
b up you &C."
n "See you in Halifax first," muttert
Nick.
i The next instant he was in the al
Il hanging by the cord around his neck.
!. When he was let down and the numbe
o again demanded, he could refuse only |
y slgns.
Is run him mp again." said the eld
e man; and this time he was let dov
d limp and breathless.
1t As he sunk on the floor q side do
was burst in with a crash, and Jac'
Messner's detective rushed in, follow
ID bv two policemen, Nh. Messner and N
White. Nick's two tormentors were
= once seized and handcuffed, and the CO
,g was loosened from the boys neck.
le 81 am afraid the scoundrels have kill
" him." said Jacob Messner. run fol
r. doctor"
" The detective buried out, and N
l. Ix,~,