The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-10
"Just from Leadville,b

n conductor on the Michigan Central
Railroad came across him the other
day. The train, coming East, had just
eft Jackson, when the man from Lead
vile was discovered on the platform OF
the rear car. He seemed to have All OBJ
iect in being out there instead Of In the
car, but the conductor was deceived as
to his motive. Conductors rarely evel
get hold of the correct theory when
they find man with long neck and Il
lean satchcl sitting out Oh the rear plut,
form.
'"rrying to beat my way-grcat heav-
ems! but how can you say that?" re-
piled the man from Leadville to the
conductors brief but vigorous saluta-
tion. "No, sir-e-c! came out here
for fresh air. I've campcd out so long z
that Pm sick rs Il hoss the ninit feel
4 roof over me. I'll be in Ia a mint
and pay my fare to Detroit. Pm going
up there to engage 200 men to return
to Leadville with me-"
The conductor suggested that he en-
ter the car and pay his fare ut once.
Michigan conductors don't seem to care
clam shell whether passenger halls
from Leadville or Bungtown.
"Pay my fare at oncc-of course
| L will - replied the man from Lead
Vile. "rhc owner of the Iucklcberry
mine wouldn't look very we'll trying to
beat Il Onc-track railroad out Of three
or four dollars fare. I'll be in there
in iIc
gnawsus feelin' Of the stummick is
kinder gone. You had better go In and
get change for five hundred dollar
bill, so as not to detain me-"
The conductor went back through the
ears, and returned, The owner of the
llucklcberry mine was no longer OH the
platform, but was sound asleep In one
of the coaches.
"Pay my farc!" he shouted rs the
conductor gave him vigorous shaking
up. "Do you charge me double fnrc
because | own the biggest and richest
silver mine In Icadville. Am l to be
imposed OH because am about to ell
gage thirteen hundred laborers in De-
troit, at ~ day pei man! -
"l want your fare" said the conduc-
tor.
"Want it twice oyer?"
"Yon haven't paid your fare yet, bat
you must or shall put you off the
truiu."
~ appeal to my ow-passengcrs,
dol" exclaimed the man from Lead
vile; even If | do own the lIuckleber-
ry mine, and half interest in the Short
cake, I'm not to be swindlcdv,
vi give you one quarter Of a minute
to pay your fare" said the conductor,
as hc reached for the bcll-rope."
"'ll pay" replied the man, after Il
few scconds--"I'n pay now, and sue
the company when reach Detroit. Ill
nave to pay you IN silver bars, as Pm
short of gold coin and grcenbacks."
lie ilshcd up his old satchal, took
about four minutes to unlock IL, and af-
ter Il diYe and Il scramble he 1ishcd up
Two old paper collars, the remains Of a
shoe-brush, and an old tlarning needle
thrcndcd with II foot or two Of string.
"Come! Pm in n hurry" said the
conductor.
81 want the train searched; i've been
robbed of over $4,000 worth of silver
bars ~ shouted the man from I.cadyillc
turning the satchel wrong side out and
holding 1t up.
The train was stopped and he was Or
dered to alight. lie looked from The
Dig brakeman to the conductor and sor-
rowiully remarked:
"lcs, PlI dismourt. Pve bin rob-
bed, insultcd and abused, and want to
sit down on log and think It over and
plan my revenge. The owner of the
liucklcbcrry Mine can't be stepped on
with imp'mity, and you hear ne |"
The train started. AS the last car
reached him, the Ilucklcbcrrian made
Il grab for the platform, missed the rail-
ing, and the last seen Of him his feet
were twinkling above the bullrushes
OF the roatlside swamp. lie had got a
lift OF fifteen miles, and was doubtless
satisfied.