Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-29

person was an impudent fraud, without a
shadow of an excuse. The train was ran
idly approaching its destination, and Mr..
Pettigrew pictured himself being dragged
before a magistrate and held ND to public
disgrace as a railway swindler.
In the midst of these agonizing refiec-
tons, Mr.. Pettigrew's glance encountered
that Of his companion, who seemed, from
his manner, to divine what was passing in
his mind
. suppose you realize, sir, the awkward
fix you have got yourself into" said The
stranger sharply.
"!-I-what do you mean ?' gasped Mr..
Pettigrew.
=" You know very well what mean, ~ re-
turned the stranger. You said you We're
Mr.. Moss Levi. 1t is lie-an impudent
imposture. l am Mr.. Moss Levi"
" You" calculated Mr. Pettigrew, very
family.
les, sir. 1t is not the first time ! have
been personated upon this line. The di-
rectors have determined to prosecute, and
the result of my message will be that you
Will be taken into custody at Plymouth
" But-but | had pass" cried Mr.. Pet
tigrew, transiixed with horror and conster-
nation.
e" A forgery" said Mr.. Levi, with an un-
pleasant laugh you wisely got rid of it.
However, that won't help you much"
" Good heavens! you are joking!" muir
INJURED Mr.. Pettigrew, wiping the perspira-
ton from his brow with a trembling hand.
" You'll see" said Mr.. Levi ominously.
but, sir, it is a mistake | will give
you my real name and address. | can
bring any evidence you like of nv respect
ability" cried Mr.. Pettigrew in a frenzied
manner.
cannot anticipate the investigation of
the police said Mr.. Levi coldly. :" AS for
your responsibility, at all events you are
travelling without Il ticket on pretense of
being somebody else. The penalty is a
month, l believe" he added, in matter-of-
fact tone.
This cold blooded way of putting it was
more than Mr.. Pettigrew could bear. He
yielded to veritable panic, and almost
fell upon his knees, imploring Mr.. Levi to
assist him.
" The matter is not in my hands, said
Mr.. Levi, apparently touched by his COM
panion's disIr,ss.
| will pay anything-anything - cried
Mr.. Pettigrew wildly.
A hundred pounds ?" queried Mr. Levi.
" Eth ?" exclaimed Mr.. Pettigrew with a
start
" Give me a check for e1O0 and l will as
sist you to escape" said Mr. Levi, with a
sudden change of manner. Have YOU
your check book handy p"
" Yes, said Mr. Pettigrew. scarcely I'M
Outstanding.
" Here are pen and ink" said Mr.. Levi.
producing a writing-case. "a will under
take to square the police and hush the mat
ter up"
But how?'' inquired Mr.. Pettigrew,
staggered by the amount demanded, vet
too terrified and agitated to demur.
have a ticket, said Mr. Levi, pro-
ducing it. Take it and get out at the
next station-the one before Plymouth.
Leave the rest TO me-"
Mr.. Pettigrew was literally terrified into
complying with these terms. lie had no
time for reflection, even if he had been ca
pable OF doing SO. The train was already
slackening speed, and before he knew
where he was, he found himself safely
landed on the platform of the station short
OF plymouth, having paid the substantial
sum Of f100 as the price of his freedom.
When he came to think the matter over
calmly afterwards, he began to suspect that
he had been swindled. He accordingly
went on to Plymouth, and the next day he
made inquiries at the station, but they
knew nothing whatever about the matter.
as every passenger by the train ne men
toned had delivered up ticket in the Or
II W do ClCSI lDel 10 MI. ret
tigrew that although his enterprising fell
low-traveler had provided him with a
ticket in the manner described, he had
taken the precaution to retain one for his
own use, which had enabled him to escape
all unpleasantness. Mr.. Pettigrew, on ar
irving at this conclusion, at once tele-
graphed to his bankers to stop the check :;
but be received a wire in reply stating that
II mad already been cashed. This, in con-
junction with there having been no diff
Guilty at Plymouth about lost pass, so
clearly pointed to deliberately planned
conspiracy that Mr.. Pettigrew, in his virtu-
an explanation from Captain Falconer.
But the Captain only laughed at him for
his folly, and could with difficulty be re-
strained from telling the story to every one
in the club; and to this day Mr.. Pettigrew
cannot make up his mind whether Captain
Falconer was a party to the transaction or
not. However, he has never asked nor re-
ceived favor from him since-London
Truth.