The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-06-23
DOG FOR DOG.
How an Express Messenger Recovered
Lost Package.

Mr.. James C.. + lWards, who is now a
wealthy and prosperous broker of Third
street, in this city, saws the Cleveland
Herald, began his career of manhood
as an express messenger on one of the
Illinois railroads running to and from
St. Louis While quite young in the
service, be gave evidence of that quick
perception and prompt decision which
| have since, when applied to higher
walks of life. earned for him the high
reputation which he now enjoys, and
which Jay Could may yet live to envy,
| And, strange to say, as Illustrating the
humble origin of great events in human
as in national affairs, the inspiring cause
in the case of Mr.. Edwards was dog.
In his capacity as express messenger,
Mr.. Edwards had been made the custo-
dian of fine dog. which had been ship
| ped from some point in Illinois to Pao-
la, Kan, At Carrollton this animal,
which had been tethered to the ring Of
the safe in the express ear. broke from
his moorings just as the train was about
to start, and clearing the platform with
a bound, was soon on his way across a
wheat field, Mr., Edwards pulled the bell
cord. The conductor asked him what
was the matter See that dog run
ming OFF, So the dog, said the
conductor; I'VE can't stop train for a
dog So on went the train, plunging
ahead at the rate OF thirty miles an
hour, and at that speed nearing the
| point at which Mir, Edwards must ac-
count for the dog intrusted to his charge,
Visions OF an enraged superintendent
and grand bounce rose before the
youthful messenger, when, suddenly
CHANGING at the way bill and reading:
! Zone Dog-Paola, Kan"
a bright idea struck him. 1t was not a
pointer dog, setter dog, a Newfound-
land dog. but simply dog. No de-
scriptive list accompanied the canicular
consignment. The clouds which had
, lowered upon the brow of Edwards
/ rolled away as if blown by magic
wind. Il know what to do, said he
to the conductor, to whom he had pre-
yiously related his dilemma. How
soon will we be in East St. Louis?''
!, "Due there in nine minutes and half. :
n said the conductor At the end of the
period named the train rolled up to the
railway depot There was a headstick.
| ing out of the express car; it belonged
: TO Young Mr.. Edwards. Look here, =
said he TO an Irish laborer who was
standing on the platform, .'got any dog:
: hereP'' Eyes, lots of 'em running round
r there's half dozen in sight. "Catcf
J one of them and give it to me, and I'll
give you half a dollar" Done almos
} as soon as said. The Irishman handed
in a dog and the messenger handed on
half a dollar. With the remnant d
: the rope which the preceding ANNA
7 had broken, Mr. Edwards tied the new
8 " acquired dog to the express safe ant
A duly tagged him
: One Dog-Paola, Kan.
Arriving at the express office In thu
D city, Mr.. Edwards was able to check OF
all the property in his possession &C
, cording to the May-bill The East St
: Louis dog was duly forwarded to Kan
sas, but whether there was any protes
against the exchange made on the roa'
Mr. Edwards never ascertained. h
still asserts that while the 50-cent do,
r was not as good looking as the origina
$ he was good enough to save his situa
2 tion as an express messenger.