Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-09-14

twice before looked In peered over hi
shoulder, to the annoyance of my com
paniou. who muttered splpething strong
ly cOndemnatory of his impudence.
In another moment the main line wa
laundering over the viaduct and dash
ing. with its roaring and its sparks, int
the utter darkness of the night, Will
our modest little engine came fussin,
out of one siding and Was hooked on t,
the smaller charge
"NOw we're off TO Downley," exclajm-
ed my new friend.
But he was wrong. A delay of som,
minutes yet took place, which reall,
seemed quite unnecessary; for there wal
not soul on the platform-along which
the gusts of rain and wind swept fierce
ly-save and except the station-msster
who. well wrapped up, twice walked
past our carriaffe, and looked sideway:
at US with a very keen expires
sion. or 80 fancied. My fellow travel
or did not see this, rs he WAS 6xsdly
staring into vacancy from the other side
of the carriage. At last we puffsd Oh
to the branch. We got into pretty good
lspeed as we passed the second platform
which. on the Downley branch, exists
for the convenience of up passengers
when, to my amaZement, tho door wa.
pulled open and young man jumped
iii.
"Come, my lad. l demonstrated, "this
is very dangerous game; and surely
we have been long enough at the station
for you to get in leisurely."
"Yes," he said with grin.
4 M
one of the most dissipated, impudent
looking young fellows had ever met.
Yes; 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. l tried to freeze him by scorn
full look, but it had not the least effect
upon him.
Now" he continued, "do either OF
you gents know me?"
81 do not" was my reply.
My companion turned his face from
the window for an instant, and bestow-
ing lofty glance of contempt upon the
speaker, resumed his gaze. This new,
conner was in no way abashed at the
cool manner in which his advances
ncIo lcCClNOht DllJ
81 want to have little talk with one
of you, but dent know which. Have
either of yOn ever heard of Tawell, the
Quaker, who who was waited for when
he got out of the train, all through the
electric telegraph, which was a new
thing in his time?"
stared at the speaker, while my fell
low traveller bestowed mOmentary
glance upon him as before.
30 come" continued the young fellow,
assuming still more knowing express
sion, "this won't do. The branch is only
seven miles, and one of you is wasting
time awfuliy. Which one of you is like
ly to be waited for at Downley?"
Icould only continue my blank stare
at the boy (he WAS little better my fel-
low traveller just moved, but took NO
notice OF him.
"Come, say" urged the youth, "don't
be fool, one of you. | ain telegraph
clerk at the junction, and / have wired
to Downley to have Il couple of blues
read for the carriage-two hundred and
four B that's the number you seek. Oh,
that's enough he went or, turning to
my friend 81 can see which is the par
ty. You're in for it, mister"
"But-but why should how could
anybody know" began the gentleman,
and his voice was now husky and quav-
ering.
'.1nat doesn't matter, that L see," re-
tOrted the youth; 1.-The only question is,
are you afraid ora policeman just now
or mott"
well, there are circumstances at pres
ent -"
"That will do," interrupted the clerk;
II don't want to know the particulars.
1t was the guard of the down train. Bill
Rixon (he's been 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"
"But what is the use of telling me this
now ?" demanded the gentleman.
Just this" returned Mr.. Samuel.
"Can you find a pound or two for ad-
vice that will get you safely out?"
"Yes, here are five sovereigns. Will
that do?" said my friend.
"GoOdp calculated the clerk, dropping
the money into his pocket; NOW listen.
About mile this side of D0wnley the
road is under repair, and the orders are
not to run over five miles an hour, in
fact, just before they get there the train
very nearly stops. I'll tell you the right
place to jump out, and I've got key.
If this other party can manage it he'd
better make himself scarce too, think.
There will be a row when they open the
doors'at Downley."
"But what will they do?" asked my
fellow traveller.
"Why, you don't suppose / should be
such fool to stay in after you had got
out ?" retorted the clerk. with a laugh.
Nobody knows Pm in the train, and it's
worth my walking four miles to my
lodgings if can earn five pounds by do
ing it,
"Now, sir" said the stranger, turning
to me, sit is not fair for me to involve
you in this trouble"
Don't mention it," said ]. IL was Il
stupid thing to say, but perhaps the
champagne had something to do with it.
"But l must mention il" returned my
fellow passenger. "The fact is, that it is
dangerous for you to remain here. If
the carriage arrives with no one but you
in it, the officers will certainly mistake
you for me. Two days, at least, will be
required to establish your identity during
which time you will be kept closely con-
fined"
This was an alarming prospect. in
deed. Two days confinement, not to
speak of the annoyance and disgrace,
would have been ruin to me. had bu-
siness on the following day of vital i'm
portance, which could not possibly be
postponed, and my companions antici-
pations seemed only too probable. Il
hope you have not been engaged in any
transaction of a questionable nature?
"Oh, as to that" returned my cOmpan-
ion, II will tell you frankly the whole
truth about this painful case. You are