The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-09-04
A RAILWAY VICTIM.


ant L had a magazine and the morning
paper with which to refresh my wearied
spllIts. and on the whole | expected to enjoy
nv tide extremely, but 1 mistaken.
Just before the train started, Dick whom 1
fancied halfway down to his office by that
time, came rushing back, bringing with him
an unknown man, with large whiskers
and pale blue eyes.
"The most fortunate thing in the world,
Man." he said; IL have just discovered that
Mr. Muzzle is bound for your destination,
too, and he will be delighted to take charge
of YOU and see you safely home" There
upon he introduced me to Mr.. Muzzle, who
sad ne would be delighted, and the train be-
gaming to move Dick had barely time to
jump off, waving me an adieu through the
car window as he stood outside, with an ex-
preston of suppressed amusement on his
face. which / noticed at the time, but only
understood later.
Now, l did not think l stood in need of
protection for short ride. and have always
preferred being left to my own devices when
travelling, but decided to offer the news
paper smiably to my companion and keep
the magazine, and hattered myself that it
would not make much difference after all.
Vain delusionl We had hardly cleared the
depot, when | observed Mr.. Muzzle endeav-
oring quite frantically to attract the atten-
ton of a very sour-looking old gentleman
on the other side of the car. The old gen.
tleman at last becoming aware of these ma
neuvers, looked, thought, sourer than ever
and touched his hat glumly in answer to the
Others good morning. With relieved ex-
pre- sion, Mr.. Muzzle sank back on his
cushions and turned to me.
That is Mr.. Brokonof." he said, "John
Thomas Brokonoff. Do you know him at
all2n
1 said didn't and felt inwardly grateful
that such was the case
BROKER on Wall street; lives outside of
the city; very influential man, indeed, He
married one of old General Gibbert's daugh-
tiers. You know the Gibberts, presume"
laid / didn't again, this time feeling
rather ashamed, he seemed so sure ought
to know them.
ut was one of those Gilbert girls, the
youngest, believe-no, she married young
Scrubbs; it must have been the older. Now
that have come to think of it, it was not
one of that family at all, but their cousin,
Adelina Gilbert, of st. Louis, who ran off
with that good-for-nothing Dumfries Did
dlebirt. He drank himself to death a year
after their marriage. l dare say you have
heard of him."
had not but kept my humliating ignor-
ance to myself.
Poor Dumfriesi 1 used 70 know him
right well; good-hearted fellow as ever lived
but not much brains. They tell story of
him down at" but here the locomotive
whistle gave a long, agonized screech and
missed the next sentence. When the
whistle stopped my companion was still talk
ing and had evidently reached the middle of
his anecdote. Having lost the beginning, it
did not seem worth while to listen to the
end. so took mental survey of my po-
sition. We had been just about ten minutes,
so Tar, in the cars. Was it possible that the
next hour and quarter we're to be filled up
in this way2 / thought the train had never
been so noisy before. Through the open
window the rumbling of the wheels almost
drowned Mr.. Muzzle's voice, though l was
conscious he was absolutely screaming at me
in his anxiety that should hear. Suddenly
he paused. There was an interrogative look
In hi pale blue eyes. He must have asked
me n question, but what could it have been?
With some embarrassment screamed back
that had not heard him.
Il asked you if you thought he was called
on 10 take it under the circumstances" he
repeated.
mo, indeed" / hazarded, and instantly
perceived my reply was wrong one.
"You forget" he said, earnestly, "that he
knew the horse was little lame already.
Something the matter with one ofthe fore
feet But it was just like Dumfries after all.
Why another time l was in his Office and a
seedy looking fellow came in and wanted to
borrow So of him; said he had known his
father very we'll. Tom Catesby was there
at the time and couple of other men, and
sud: 'Dumfries, I wouldn't give him any
money if / were you He looks as if he
drank Dumfries seemed uncertain about
it, and then Catesby said: 'Yon had better
take Muzzle's advice in the matter, Diddle-
brit; you had inceed.' So he told the man
that he couldn't lend him any that day, or
that he had none handy, or something of
that Sort and the fellow went away. But
if had not been there Dumfries would just
as likely to have given it to him not.
And the point of the joke is that when we
got outside Catesby said: What on earth
did you say anything about drinking for,
when you know Dumfries drinks like fsh?'
hadn't thought of it at all. Catesby never
quite got over that
During this little anecdote / had matured
plan of defense. and in desperation L now
proceeded to act upon it. "Mr. Muzzle," 1
sid, abruptly, "would you like to see the
morning paperi" handing it HIM as l spoke,
and picking up my magazine at the same
ZINE.
He seemed little surprised, but took the
sheet, thanked me, and turned directly TO
the list of marriages and deaths "Ahl' he
murmured, "Smith. Robson, Newcastle:
must be some relation to old John New
castle, fancy. He used to live in that part
os the country. Sinkerson, Billingby. Oh
i see, young Todkins Billingby has lost hi;
WIFE"
My heart sank within me at this an
nouncement, not that knew Toxins Bill
lingby or his wife either; but / felt sur,
what was coming, and lamented her dennis,
with fervor.
"Let me see," said Mr.. Muzzle, she mus
have been married to her about five years
guess. Thirty-three. the paper says sh,
wns."
He seemed 80 much concerned that
asked him if she had been friend of his
"Oh, no, not particularly" he replied; '.ir
fact, never saw her but once; but his frs
wife was q sister of a very old acquaintanc
of mins. Theodore Smithkins Billingb
was married to her in Havana, / believe
where he went for his health. She wa
travelling with the Browns, and the mate
VS. very unexpected one indeed. Too
both families by surprise remember, whe
The news came"
By this time l had closed my magazin
and reconcilied myself to fate. 1t woul
ba been Just the same if had not give
him the paper.