Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-06-10

Whv HiN NittNul luHptcttU but pass
now seemed to him to have been un-
pleasantly suggestive of suspicion. IL
was possible that this man had actual
N telegraphed down the line to some
Of his brother officials on the route to
look out for the imposter. A cowardly
consci nee Is rem orseless stimulator
OF morbid Imagination, and before he
had gone many miles Mr.. Pettigrew
had convinced himself that his worst
apprehensions would be realized.
Scarcely less disconcerting than the
foar of detection was the idea Of hav-
ing to keep up the character Of the
person he was supposed to be. a fatal
drawback to this was that whereas the
name of Mr.. Moss Levi unmistakably
indicated Hebraic origin, Mr.. Petit
CREWS nose was pure Gentle snub.
This was so manifest at glance that
the fact was alone calculated to excite
suspicion of his identity. Mr.. Petit
grew felt that he could not stand
against this insurmountable discrep-
ancy, and that to attempt to swaggcr
and braztn out the situation-if his
identity were challcngod-w would be
hollow mockery. Tho consequence
was rhat by tho time the train reached
the first station at which sioppagc
occurred, he had iidgeted himself into
such a state of abjcct apprehension
that his nervous and agitaled manner
was almost sufficient to bctray him.
When the ticket inspector made his APP
pearancc, Mr.. Pettigrcw, who hal
wrapped his offending nose In munlor
and turned up the collar of his coat so
as TO conceal his features as much rs
possible, handed up his pass with the
air of criminal. No wonder the OIL
cial, after looking at It, favored the
poor gentleman with n long stare,
which made him burst into a cold per-
spration. But this man. like the
other. returned the pass without rails
ing any objection. to Mr.. Pcttigrow $
unspeakabie relief As the train pro-
oeeded on its journey he brcathcd
more freely, and even for moment
contemplated the possibility Of reach
ing his destination without misad-
venture. But his dismal misgiyings
were by no means allayed, and very
slight circumstance suiiiced to arouse
thoEn again. Ever sine, the start his
fellow-passenger had remained quietly
seated in the opposite corner. reading
and doing alternately. lie was a
middle-aged man, with strongly
marked features and very black ewes
and eyebrows. Nothing being further
from Mr.. Pcttigrpw 5 desire than to EN-
gage in conversat on. and thereby pos
sibiy betray himself, he had been well
satisfied 10 observe that the Stranger
seemed taciturn and unconmunicative
But whether it was that the last stop
page had disturbed the current of this
gentleman S meditation, or that he had
been struck by Mr. Pcttigrews agita-
ton, he now appeared disposed to be-
curious. He took stock of his un-
fortunate companion. who quailed in
most guilty manner beneath his glance.
and presently Inc asked aiiably:
Going to Plymouth. sir?'
Yes, gaspcd Mr.. Pettigrew.
$50 am /. said the stranger; "in
fact its my native place. Know many
people there, sirPn
Mr.. Pctiigrew was about to answer
ncryously in the negative. but sudden
~ recollccting that he was personating
s'0oimCuodiy;~ else, yEhese- -RImI might
during the journey, he was
seized with voritable panic.
''No-at least, | mean yes. Yes, GER
tainly. In fact" he added, incautious-
ly. I'm going down on busine IS.
"Indced!' exclaimed the stranger,
with interest. Then I'm sure I've
met you before, sir. knew your face
directly. You are often up and down
this line, are YOU not?''
Again Mr. pettigrcw was about in
voluntarily to give a truthful answer,
but remembering. just in time. the po-
sition Of affairs, he hastily replied in
the affirmative.
"You are not Mr.. Richardson, arc
you, sir2' inquired the stranger, insin-
uatingiy.
mo, sir, my name is Levi. replied
Mr.. Pettigrew, with agulp, being taken
aback.
This was eminently rash. as Mr. Pet
tigrcw felt the moment he had spoken.
since the statement laid him open 10
all sorts of dangers. Instantly il
flashed across his mind that the
stranger might he acquainted with the
real Mr.. Levi. The idea was too dread
ful TO contemplate. but fortunately the
stranger made no sign. He might,
however, recognize the name anI turn
the conversation on to shipping and
mercantile matters. concerning which
Mr.. Pettigrew was as ignorant as an
infant i'm arms. To avert this contin-
gcncy, and to check himself from rush.
ing head.ong 20 destruction, Mr.. Petit
grew, in desperation, closed his ewes
and feigned to sleep. which, perhaps,
under the circumstances. was the
wisest thing he could have done. At all
events the eXpedient WAS successful, for
the stranger naturally rslapsed into
silence. CHANGING, however, az him.
after mile or two, beneath his eve
lids, Mr.. Pettigrcw found to his dis
may. that he was still regarding him
quietly and persistently. 10 was
trying ordeal TO feign 10 b. uncon-
scious Of this, and poor Mr. Pettigrcw
suffered a martyrdom in the attempt
He knew that he made a miserable
failure OF it, yet be dared not face his
companion openly. for fear he should
resume the conversation. II was
positive relief when the next sioppage
OF the train distracted the strangers
though Mr.. Pctugrew was
aware that he would again have 20
produce his unlucky pass. When the
inspector appeared in due cour c, Mr..
Pettigrew pretended 10 wake up with
a start, and produced the document,
but, in doing so, he contriyed TO drop
il upon the floor Of the GARAGE. In u
the stranger, who seemed 10
be on the alert, oiliciOusly pOunccd
upon II and handed il 10 the inspector.
But i'm the most natural manner In the
world he first unioldcd it, and Mr.
Pottigrew perceived that he took the
Of glancing at the CON
tents. The action occupied only a
but. nevertheless, the !
stranger evidently satisfied his curl !
)sity. He leaned back in his scat with !
/ smile, aud looked at Mr.. Pettigrew
With increased interest. This episode |