The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-06-11

This was emInently rash. - NJ. Pe
ugrew felt the moment " had Spoken
since the statement laid him open
81 sorts Of dangers. instantly
nasned across his mind that IN
stranger might be acquainted with IL
real MIR. Levi The idea was too dread
fui 70 contemplate. but fortunately IN
stranger made no sign. Ho might
however, recognize the name and turI
tne conversation on 10 shipping an
mercantile matters. concerning whicl
Mr. Pcttigrew was as ignorant As ri
infant In arms. To avert this confin
gency, and to check himself from rush
ING headlong 10 destruction, Mr.. Petit
grew, In desperation, closed his eve
and feigned 70 sleep, which, perhaps
under the circumstances. was In,
wiscst thing he could have done. At Al
events the expedient was successful, 10,
the stranger naturally relapscd int
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. II was I
trying ordeal to feign TO be uncon.
sci0us Of this. and poor Mr.. Pettigrew
suffered martyrdom in the attempt
He knew that he made = miserable
failure OF It. yet he dared not face his
companion openly, for fear he should
resume the conversation. Il was 4
positive relief when the next stoppaCe
OF the train distracted the stranger 9
attention, though Mr.. Pettlgrew was
aware that he would again have TO
produce his unlucky pass. When the
inspector appeared in due course, Mr..
Pcttigrew pretended TO wake up with
q start, and produced the document.
but, in doing 50, he contrived to drop
II upon the floor Of the carriage. In q
moment the stranger, who seemed to
DC on the alert, officiously pounced
upon 1t and handed it to the inspector.
But in the most natural manner in the
world he first uniolded 1t, and Mr..
Pettigrew perceived that he took the
opportunity Of glancing at the con-
tents. The action occupied only 4
moment, but. nevertheless, the
stranger evidently satisfied his Curl
osity. He leaned back in his seat with
smile, and looked at Mr.. Pettigrcw
with increased interest. This episode
made Mr.. Pettigrew more uncomfort-
able than ever, and. upon receiving
the pass back again, he FASTENED 70
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 a fever Of
nervousness and apprehension that At
length he could stand il no longer. He
resolved, therefore, 70 get rid Of the
pass At all hazards, even at the sacri-
nee 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
i 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 a sig-
nificant manner that the unhappy ZEN
tlcman felt bound to explain.
"A most awkward circumstanccr' he
II was just opening the
window when my pass"
dropped outY inferposed the
stranger. in sympathetic tone.
'.Ycs. dropped out" said Mr.. Petit |
yrew, very red in the face.
Dear me! How did YOU manage
r. inquired the stranger
II don't know. had it in my hand.
md the draught was strong" said Mr..
'ettigrew. hastily. However, he
'dded. with more assurance, lit can't
" helped. ! must pay. that's all"
Pay. Oh, no! shouldn't think of
UGH thing If were YOU" returned
he stranger. briskly. you've lost
our pass by an accident, but you've
My got to say so. ! saw 1t and will
i've my testimony"
You are very kind. \" said Mr.. Petit
rev, not quite knowing whether to
Eel grateful or not.
After all there was no reason why he
hould pay the expensive railway fare
be could get of doing so. and now
nat the tell-tale pass had disappeared
the breeze, there seemed no fear Of
If the official at the next
alton declined TO accept his statement
bout the loss Of the pass, he would
My be called upon to pay, and this he
as now reconciled to do. Consider
ply easier In his mind, Mr.. Pettigrew
waited the result OF the experiment
it'll tolerable cquanimity, and even
'ntured to exchange ideas with his !
on the subject Of the ,
Gather. When the next stage Of the
urney was reached and the Inevitable
.ket inspector again presented him !
II. Mr.. Pettigrcw told his.story glibly :
Tough.
'Of course. II must pay, l must !
concluded, putting his hand reluct- Ia
lily in his pocket. IL
Pooh! Nonsense! No occasion :
hatcver for that" interrupted the i
anger. II know this gentleman !
d pass, inspector, and rsaw him \
se it,
'.Will you give me your name and =
dress, sirP' said the official.
Certainly" again interposed the i
anger before the startled Mr.. Petit y
ew could speak. This gentleman