Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-06-21

~>-~-~Ny
in return. This pack
age marked 81 900, c. O. D., is going back to
the jcwelry firm it came from. Here is the
silver papered 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 I'm.
gersi There'd be considerable pickings for
man OF that sort here. 1t may be just as
well that we are hemmed in as closely as
we are"
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 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
1t, unused he, as he closed the safe and
turned the key. mot like that box back
there which seems to have an Internal ma
chine in it. Hard luck to the party who
gets that, if it be one, to go off in a 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.
It 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
upon the marks 81 900 c. o. :" the darl,
no Hrr,o no Ssfo rod q
spasm of conflicting emotions.
ssWhat chance IS here!'' muttered the
thief. s.But steady-steady! Remember
the stake you are playing for. Don't let
any thing less interfere with that, my lad,
or you will be left. Hist, danger-vam-
ooser'
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.
sHello. Bergman" he called out; s'what
are you up to. taking snooze on the slys
You'd better wake up and get ready for
business. TheTeiIi be pretty rush when
we get in twenty minutes behind, and a hot
box to boot"
The messenger had dragged himself up
by a 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 he.' he asked, excitedly.
+'Stand hard. Ike. Don't let him get
away"
.sWhere is whoi" 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 feverist
energy among the heaped-up merchandise
but in spite of their best efforts, no trace Of
the thief was found. Ike, who was inn
pressed momentarily by the others earnest
ness, grew incredulous again.
.sPshaw, man, how could any one get in
with me at the brakes and this front door
lockeda If there is thief here, he has
slowed himself into one of these boxes anC
nailed himself in. A likely idea, amt it
Hello, down brakes! What now, won
deri"
He hurried away to his post in answer tt
the signal. and moment later, with grea
Jar and CULVER of resistance, the train came
to stand.
The conductor fastened forward to Joir
the engineer as he dropped down from hi.
box.
ssWhat is it, Larkina"
ssLog on the track. We'd have been init
It. sure as shot. only for that ar pesk.