The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1889-04-25


apologl.otl % kecue for being late.
That gentleman quietly accepted
ihe excuse, glanced sharply at his
host. and la obedience 70 wave Of
the hand. preceded him to the dining
room
The dinner was excellent Mr..
keene. who had never visited the
house before although 50 often press
ed TO 10 So bv his admirer east his
eyes round the sumptuous dining
room. Then be proceeded with his
soup, glancingin hisquick way at his
host, at the pictures, the plate. the fire.
place. and the well-laid table, as if he
were searching for something.
Rather curious you got SO nervous
to-day he said at last. "Who was
this man you saw-as you faucied 2"
"The driver-engine driver mean.
{ " course-of the Uniform not a
coachman. lie was queer fish. Had
a MANIA"
Indeed, sir. Mad, was hep Bad
man to put in charge of an engine, -
said Kecne.
~Ilesaw ghosts. On that particular
evening on which the accident hap
pcned he declared he saw a spectre
and wrecked his train. got him off
saved him from dismissal
.'And very disintercstcd Of you it
was WeH?7
! well" continued Mr.. Lawkins,
"this fellow ran off after awhile; but,
between ourselves, aud mind tins goes
no further-he tried to murder me-
Murder YOU exclaimed Keene.
lie did not seem much astonished,
however. Yes; 60 on.
"He attacked me; but lett him for
dead"
"But why did he attack YOU? Had
he no cause?'
"None but shadow of a cause.
Have some champagne"
~Thankye Then why are you
afraid Of him-of his ghost?"
"Oh-well-I am nervous; and
since have come into my amts pro-
perty-"
"Nes Rather sudden, wasn't it?7
"Well--ycs; poor old lady She
had no other relatives, and left all to
me. American bonds-securities-
and some coin-you know"
Il know. But what has tlis to dc
with the driver of the Unicorn {?
asked Keenc.
"Cant you guess? lie wrecked
the train on purpose, and robbed III,
: mails"
: lie did, and This was the way of it
: lie pretended to be afraid Of "a certain
ghost which he declared he used tC
: see frequently. lie got into troubl,
i. over it and came to me. | helped him
a bit but one nightly Jovc, this j.
the very night, the anniversary How
odd However. that night the mai
j was heavy and valuable a gang oil
I. men, in league with the driver, stole
the bags and made OF with the con
! tents Tom Doughty quilted tbs
! scene of the accident while his asso
| eiates made Off Then l suspected
: him; a warrant was issued for his
arrest but he suddenly disappeared.
{ "One night going home from the
station yonder, he attacked me; but
. Shot him and dragged his body int
D the ditch
: aDid you?7 exclaimed Keene
"Siily felloww
t s.Yes, l did; but why do YOU cal
] me silly? What could | do! Give
I the alarm No, sir
"You should have put him on thu
+ line, and then he would have beer
$ run over and no one the wiser
You're not half chap! That's wha
] I'd do; aud ifyou hadn't been armeC
= l expect the driver would have treat
!, ed YOU in that same way :"
"Wel, he didn't! So that's III
a matter. lie was not dead, it seem.
after all, because no body was eve
1 found. and, furthermore, | received
5 note breathing vengeance. Ton
5 Doughty had written letter accus
e ing mo of being the cause Of the acci
IS dent. and Of hiring ruflians to rob Cd
mail. lie actually sent such lette
c to the board
@Of course they did not believe it?
e said Mr.. keene.
II "Of course not. Why, the yer
r idea is most preposterous-"
Decidedly ridiculous reptile