The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-08-30


the Jewelry firm it came from. Here is the
SILVER pnpered one, that means a wedding
present, and this bit of box from Colora-
do, that weighs like lead, is something in
the line of mineral specimens, of course
What wonder that express messengers are
sometimes tempted TO dishonesty by the
golden stream that flows through their fin
gersi There'd be considerable piclings for
y man of that sort here. 1t may be Just as
well that we are hemmcd in as closely as
we are.n
The young man in whose mind these
thoughts were running let his eye travel
over the packages once more. They were
all there just as they should be, and he
turned over a fiat parcel for another look
at its face, dotted by sundry labels show
ing that it had passed over different lines.
Something comfortable in the look of
IT." mused he, as he closed the safe and
turned the key. sNot like that box back
there which seems to have an Internal ma
chine in it. Hard luck to the party who
gets that, il it Be one, to go OF in moment,
without warning"
All, hard luck for you, simple messenger,
with that dim form standing back of you,
with uplifted club that falls without warn
ing, striking you down, leaving your trust
unguarded to the ruthless hand of the de-
spoiler.
1t was but moments work, for the key
was still in the lock. The eager fingers
which lowered over the contents of the
desk fastened almost Immediately upon the
package which had been the last in the
messengers hand. Nothing else was
touched. although the cleaning eyes rested
npon the marks 81 200 @. 0. d. !" the dark
face bending over the safe worked IN a
spasm OF conflicting emotions.
what a chance is here" muttered the
thief. "But steady-steadyl Remember
tho stake you are playing for. Don't let
any thing less interfere with that, my lad,
or you will be left Hist danger-vam-
ooseln
Instantly, with the words just breathed
to himself the man disappeared among the
piles Of expressage which incumbered the
car. He had scarcely done so when brake
man came whistling in at the door, and be-
gan poking at the fire.
"Hello, Bergman" he called, out, ''what
are you up to, taking a snooze on the slyl
You'd better wake up and get ready for
business. There'l be a pretty rush when
we get in twenty minutes behind, and a hot
box to BOOT
The messenger had dragged himself up
by q stack Of boxes, and stood wavering,
with a wild CLEAN in his eyes as he strove
to pierce the dim length of the car.
where is hein he asked, excitedly.
"Stand hard, Ike. Don't let him get
away.n
"Where is WHOM demanded the brake
man, approaching, his suspicious glance
travelling over the car. 81 guess you're
dreaming yet There's no one here; couldn't
be, you know"
There ISL insisted Bergman. 81 have
been robbed. The thief struck me down, yet
was not altogether senseless, and l saw
him move away as you came in. He is here,
hidden. Lookr
He was searching himself with feverish
energy among the heaped-up merchandise,
but in spite of their best efforts, no trace of
the thief was found. Ike, who was i'm
pressed momentarily by the others earnest
ness, grew incredulous again.
"Pshaw, man, how could any one get in
with me at the brakes and this front door
lockedl If there is thief here, he has
slowed himself into one of these boxes and
nailed himself in. A likely idea, amt It'll
Hello, down brakes! What now, ! won
deri'
the signal, and a moment later, with great
jar and culver Of resistance the train came
TO stand.
The conductor fastened forward to Join
the engineer as he dropped down from his
box.
"Whnt is il, Larlinw
.sLog on the track We'd have been into
1t, sure as shot, only for that an pesky