Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-09-20
shoulder, to the annoyance Of my COM

shoulder, to the annoyance of my COM
panion, who muttered something strong
~ comdemnatory of his impudenca
In another moment the main line was
laundering over the viaduct, and DASH
ing, with its roaring and its sparks, into
the utter darkness of the night, while
our modest little engine came fussing
out of some siding, and was hooked on
to the smaller charge.
"Now we're off to Downley," ex-
| claimed my new friend.
But he was wrong. A delay of some
| minutes yet took place, which really
seemed quite unnecessary; for there was
not soul on the platform which
the gusts of rain and wind swept fierce
ly-save and except the station-master,
who, we'll wrapped up, twice walked
slowly past our carriage, and looked
sideways at US with q very keen express
sion, or SO I fancied. My fellow-trav-
eler did not see this, as he was fxedly
staring into vacancy from the other side
of the carriage. At last we pulled on to
the branch. We got into pretty good
speel az we passed the second platform.
which, on the Downley branch, exists
for the convenience of up passengers,
when to my amazement, the door was
pulled open, and a young man jumped in.
"Come, my lad" demonstrated,
this is very dangerous game; and sure.
~ We have been long enough at the sta
ton for you to get III leisurely.'
eyes," he said with grin.
On looking at him, I thought he was
one of the most dissipated, impudent
looking young fellows had ever seen.
eyes; you have been at the station
long enough" he added.
Then he stopped, without any percep-
tible reason, to grin again, and to wink
at me. I tried to freeze him by scorn-
full look, but it had not the least effect
| upon him.
"Now,' he continued, edo either of
you genus know me?"
IL do not, was my reply.
Ny companion turned his face from
the window for an instant, and bestow-
ing lofty glance of contempt upon the
speaker, resumed his gaze. The new
! conner was in no way abashed at the cool
manner in which his advances we're re-
ceived, but resumed:
81 want to have little talk with one
of you, but [ don't know which. Have
either of you ever heard OF Tawell, the
Quaker, who was waited for when he got
out of the train, all through the electric
telegraph, which was new thing in his
time"
stared at the speaker, while my fell
low-traveler bestowed a momentary
glance upon him as before.
ooh, come" continued tae young fell
low, assuming still more knowing ex-
preston, ''this won't do. The branch is
only seven miles long, and one of you is
wasting time awfully. Which one Of you
is likely to be waited for at Downley ?"
I could only continue my blank stare
at the boy (he was little better); my fell
low-traveler just moved, but 1 took no
notice of him.
"Come, I say" urged the youth,
"don't be fool, one of you. I'm tele-
graph clerk at the junction, and I have
wired to Downley to have couple of
blues ready for the carriage two hun
dred and four B; that's the number you
seek. Oh, that's enough" he went on
turning to my friend; II can see which
is the party. You're in it. mister.''
But-but why should-how could
anybody know began the gentleman,
and his voice was now husky and quay
ering.
"That doesn't matter, that I see, )" re-
torted the youth; "the only question is
are you afraid of a policeman just now,
or are you not ?"
"Well there are circumstances at
present--"
"That will do" interrupted the clerk,
II don't want to know the particulars.
It was the guard of the down train, Bill
Rixon (he's been a policeman himself)
put the station master at the junction on
the scent. They were very close over it.
Didn't he say to me: Here Sam, you
share in whatever reward we get; and
| of course they expect to get something. u
"But what is the use CT telling me
now?" demanded the gentleman.
"Just this,'' returned Mr. Samuel,
Can you find pound or two for advice
that will safely get you out"
eyes, here are five sovereigns. Will
that do ?" said my friend.
"Good F" calculated the clerk, drop.
ping the money into his pocket, "now
listen. About mile this side of Down
ley the road is under repair, and the or
ders are not to run over it more than
five mile an hour-in fact Just before
they get there the train very nearly
stops. I'll tell you the right place tc
jump out, and I've got a key. If this
other party can manage it he'd bette,
make himself scarce too, think. There
will be row when they open the doors
at Downley."
''But what will they do?" asked my
fellow traveller.
Why, you don't suppose 1 should be
such fool to stay in after YOU had got
out" retorted tue clerk with laugh.
"Nobody knows I'm in the train, and
its worth my walking four miles to my
lodgings if I can earn five pounds by do
ing it,"
"Now, SIR" said the stranger, turn
ing to me, "it is not fair for me to in.
volve you in this trouble
"Don't mention it, " said I. 1t was a
stupid thing to say, but perhaps the
champagne had something to do with it.
| But must mention it," returned
my fellow passenger. "The fact is, thai
it is dangerous for you to remain here.
If the carriage arrives with no one but
you in it, the officers will certainly mis-.
take you for me. Two days, at least,
will be required to establish your iden.
tity, during which you will be kept
closely confined.
This was an alarming prospect indeed.
Two days. confinement not to speak OF
the annoyance and disgrace, would have
been ruin to me. I had business on the
following day of vital Importance, which
could not possibly be postponed, and my
companions anticipatlons seemed only
too probable. 81 hope" said hest
tatingly, II hope you have not been en-
gagged in any transaction of question.
"Oh, as to that" returned my COM
III