Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-07-15

positive relief when the next stoppage
of the train distracted the strangers
attention. though Mr.. Pettigrew was
aware that he would again have to
produce his unlucky pass. When the
inspector appeared in due course, Mr..
Pettigrew pretended to wake up with
start, and produced the document,
but, in doing so, he contrived to drop
it upon the floor Of the carriage. In a |
moment the stranger, who seemed to |
be on the alert, officiously bounced |
upon il and handed it to the inspector.
But in the most natural manner in the |
world he first unfolded it, and Mr..
Pettigrew perceived that he took the |
opportunity OF glancing at the con-
tents. The action occupied only a !
moment, but, nevertheless, the
stranger evidently satisfied his Curl
osity. He leaned back in his seat with
a smile, and looked at Mr.. Pettigrew
with increased interest. This episode
made Mr.. Pettigrew. more uncomfort-
able than ever, and, upon receiving
the pass back again, he FASTENED to
resume his fictitious slumber. But he
could not resist peeping furtively at
his companion from time to time, and
he grew more and more convinced
that the stranger regarded him as an
impostor. The consequence was that
he worked himself into such fever of
nervousness and 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 sacri-
flee of having to pay the full fare. Bet
ter this than run the risk of the pains
and penalties to which detection
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 move
ments, quick as they were, did not es-
cape the attention of the stranger, who
witnessed the whole maneuver. He
glanced at Mr.. Pettigrew IN such sig
nificant manner that the unhappy gen.
tleman felt bound to explain.
"a most awkward circumstance" he
murmured. II was just opening the
window when my pass"
Dropped outP" interposed the
stranger, in sympathetic tone.
"Yes, dropped out" said Mr.. Petit
grew, very red in the face.
"Dear me! How did you manage
itP" inquired the stranger.
81 don't know. had it in my hand,
and the draught was strong" said Mr..
Pettigrew, hastily. However" he
added, with more assurance, sit can't
be helped. must pay, that's all. ("
"Pay. Oh, mol l shouldn't think of
such a 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. l 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
detection. 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. Consider
! ably easier in his mind, Mr.. Pettigrew
awaited the result of the experiment
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 inevitable
ticket inspector again presented him.
self, Mr.. Pettigrew told his story glibly
enough.
!, "Of course, if must pay, must
he concluded, putting his hand reluct
antly in his pocket.
Pooh! Nonsense! No occasion
whatever for that" interrupted the
stranger. ~ know this gentleman
had pass, inspector, and ] saw him
lose it..
"Will you give me your name and
address, sirp" said the official.
Certainly" again interposed the
| oIduSci UclOIo luC StaltlCu III. Otui
: grew could speak. "This gentleman
is Mr. Moss Levi, the agent of the Sill
yer Crescent Steamship Company
You only have to telegraph to Londor
and ask for instructions. Tell them tt
wire reply to Plymouth, and lock us il
till we get there. The gentleman il
, well known to your colleagues there.
The inspector, clvilly enough
acquiesced in this arrangement, ant
} the stranger glanced at Mr.. Pettigrev
for his approval. But Mr.. Pettigrev
/ had turned very pale, and looked thu
very picture of dismay. The plan sug
gested would have been excellent if h,
had been the person he pretended, blu
as it involved the necessity of his beip!
/ identified by some one who knew Mr.
! Levi, the drawback was at once appar
ent. In fact. now that it was too late
r Mr. Pettigrew realized his folly, ant
: cursed the strangers well-intentione'
! interference. However, he had com
t mitted himself irretrievably, and Their
$ was nothing for it but to face the stu
alton. The more he thought of it tn
: less he liked it, and all his former fear
: revived with painful intensity. Afte
all, if he had kept the pass no Difficult
!, ties might have arisen, but he had nov
e rashly brought upon himself the yer
g danger he had apprehendcd. Detection
q vas inevitable, and, what was worse
the fact of his having nothing to shoN
: was calculated to suggest that his pei
!, sonation of another person was an i'm
; pudent fraud, without shadow of a
n excuse. The train was rapidly ar
preaching its destination, and Mr.. Pei
e tigrew pictured himself being dragge
+ before a magistrate and held up to pull
lie disgrace as railway swindler
d In the midst of these agonizing n
n Elections, Mr.. Pettigrew's glance Ell
countered that of his companion, VIII
+ seemed, from his manner, to divin
|, what was passing in his mind.
o ~ suppose you realize, sir, the anvil