News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-06-17

alert, officiously pounced upon it and
handed it to the inspector. But in the
! most natural manner in the world he
first unfolded it, and Mr.. Pettiorew per
ceived that he took the opportunity of
Glancino at the contents. The action
occupied only moment, but, neverthe-
less. the stranger evidently satisfied his
, curiosity. He leaned back in his seat
with smile, and looked at Mr.. Petit
grew with increased interest.
: This episode made Mr.. Pettigrew
more uncomfortable than ever, and up-
on receiving the pass back again he
FASTENED to resume his fictitious slum-
Der. But he could not resist peeping
furtively at mis- companion from, time to
time, and he grew sf11ore and more con-
vinced that fhe' stranger regarded him
as an impaster. y consequence was
that he worked i,i.pAYif into such fe-
yer of neryousne esT~.lnd apprehension
that at length he could stand it no
longer. He resolved, therefore, to get
rid of the pass at all hazards, even at
the sacrifice of having to pay the tpll
fare. Better this tSian run the risk Of
the pains and penalties to which detec-
tion would subject him.
Watching his opportunity, Mr.. Petit
grew, when the stranger had turned
aside for moment, suddenly. let down
the window, and crushing the pass into
ball in the palm of his hand, he cast
it forth into space But his movements,
quick as they were, did not escape the
attention of the stranger, who witnessed
the whole man9uvre. He glanced at
Mr.. Pettigrew in such significant man
ner that the unhappy gentleman felt
bound to explain.
GA most awkward circumstance he
murmured. 81 was just opening the
window when my pass"
Dropped out2" interposed the stran-
ger in a sympathetic tone
Eyes, dropped out, said Mr.. Petit
grew, very red in the face. G.
"Dear me! How did you manage it9"
inquired the stranger.
81 don't know. had it in my hand,
and the draught was strong" said Mr..
Pettigrew hastily. "However," he ad-
ded, with more assurance, sit can't be
helped. I must pay, that's ALL
PAY. Oh, mol shouldn't think of
such thing if l were you," returned
the stranger briskly "You've lost
your pass by an accident, but you've
only got to say so. saw it, and will
give my testimony"
"You are very kind" said Mr.. Petit
grew, not quite knowing whether to feel
grateful or not.
After all there was no reason why he
should pay the expensive railway fare if
he could get off doing so, and now that
the tell-tale pass had disappeared in the
breeze, there seemed no fear of detec-
ton If the official at the next station
declined to accept his statement about
the loss of the pass, he would only be
called upon to pay, and this he was now
reconciled to do.
Considerably easier in his mind, Mr..
Pettigrew awaited the result of the ex-
pertinent with tolerable' equanimity,
and even ventured to exchange ideas
with his companion on the subject of
the weather When the next stage of
the Journey was reached and the newt
able ticket inspector again, presented
himself, Mr.. Pettig.s toA his story
xIibiy enough.
''Of course, if must pay, 1 must, " he
concluded. putting his hand reluctantly
in his pocket.
"Poohl Nonsensel No occasion
whatever for that interrupted the
had a pass, inspector, and 1 saw him
lose it."
"WiIl you give me your name and ad-
dress, sir2" said the official.
Certainly" again interposed the
stranger, before the startled Mr.. Petit
grew could speak. "This gentleman is
Mr.. Moss Levi, the agent of the Silver
Crescent Steamship Company. You only
have to telegraph to London and ask
for instructions. Tell them to wire re-
ply to Plymouth, and lock us in till we
get there. The gentleman is we'll known
to your colleagues there"
The inspector, ciyilly enough, &C
quiesced in this arrangement, and the
stranger glanced at Mr.. Pettigrew for
his approval. But Mr.. Pettigrew had
turned very pale, and looked the pic
ture of dismay. The plan suggested
would have been excellent if he had
been the person he pretended, but as it
involved the necessity of his being iden-
titled by some one who knew Mr.. Levi,
the drawback was at once apparent. In
fact. now that it was too late, Mr.. Pet
tigrew realized his folly, and cursed
the strangers well intention ed interfer-
ence.
However, he had committed himself
irretrievably, and there was nothing
for it but to face the situation. The
more he thought of it the less he liked
it, and all his former fears revived with
painful intensity. After all, if he had
kept the pass no difficulties might have
arisen. but he had now rashlv brought
upon himself the very danger he had ap
pretended. Detection was inevitable,
and, what was worse, the fact of his
having nothing to show was calculated
to suggest that his perSonation of an
other person was an impudent fraud,
without a shadow of an excuse The
train was rapidly approach ng its desti-
nation, and Mr.. Pettigrew pictured him
self being dragged before magistrate
and held up to public disgrace as rail
way swindler.
In the midst of these agonizing reflec-
tions, 3Ir. Pettigrew's glance encounter
ed that Of his scompGnion..Eho seemed,
from his manner, TO deyIne what was
passing in his mind.
81 suppose you realize, sir, the awk-
ward fix you have got yourself into,"
said the stranger sharply.
"T-I-what do you mean2" gasped
Mr.. Pettigrews
"You know very we'll what l mean,"
returned the stranger. You said you
were Mr.. Moss Levi. 1t is a lie-an i'm
pudent imposture. l am Mr.. Moss
Levi"
"Youw calculated Mr.. Pettigrew.
family.
eyes. sir. 1t is not the first time l
have been personated upon this line.
The directors have determined to prose-
cute. and the result of my message will
be that you will be taken into custody
at Plymouth"
'But-but had a pass" cried Mr.
Pettigrew, transixed with horror and
CONSERVATION.
"a forgery" said Mr.. Lew. with an
unpleasant laugh; ''You wisely got rid
of it. However, that won't help you
much"
"Good heavens you are joking"
murmured Mr.. Pettigrew, wiping the
perspiration from his brow, with trem-
bling hand.
oYouTl see," said Mr.. Levi, omin-
ously.
.BBut, sir, it is mistake. I will give
Won NV real name and address. 1 can
bring any evidence you like of my re-
specfability,r' cried Mr.. Pettigrew in
frenzied manner.
81 cannot anticipate the Investigations
of the police" said Mr.. Levi coldly,
Gas for YOUR respectability, at all events
YOU are travelling without ticket on
nretonco If bcing somebody else The