Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-01-30

whatever 1t Is, my girl, I've got a clear
conscience.
But it was not to accuse John that
the manager had sent for him earliev
than usual. Il am about to go home,
John, said he, land before leaving l
wanted to tell you that there's an extra
amount in the safe tonight. There is
fully 800, 600 in bank bills alone. be-
sides other valuables. Take unusual
care, and perhaps you'd better have an
extra Waterman with you
"Oh, no, sir. Don't fear, replied
John. I've been night watchman long
enough to know what to do in case |
should be troubled by any one. I'd
know how TO make myself heard. Be
sides any one extra with me tonight
might excite suspicion
All right, John, said the manager,
buttoning up his coat. for it was begin
ming to get chilly in September. Take
good care of yourself as Well as of the
office. .
The manager then locked the safe as
usual, and in about am hour the clerk.
who always remained until O'Clock to
take in any packages that We're left,
went away also.
And then Johns watch began
The policeman on the beat was one
Peter Moriarity, and Peter, though one
of the most faithful of officers, had
more of beat than he could well per-
form. Omaha had begun to be "A great
city, but as yet the police force in that
part of the city was inadequate to the
extent of city territory Consequently
it happened that what with trying Office
doors to be sure they were locked, and
what with peering into semilighted
shops and exploring dark Railways, Pc
ter Moriarity could get around his beat
only once in three hours
At O'Clock that night as he passed
the Merchants Express office he saw
John outside and exchanged greetings
with him.
At II, when Peter had reached the
same place again, John was sitting in
side, but he came out, and for a few
minutes these old friends told stories,
commented upon the weather and chat
ted upon matters of interest in Omaha.
Policeman Peter Moriarity passed on,
but when he arrived at the express Of
fee again, which was at 3 O'Clock in
the morning, John Bradley was no
where to be seen. Surprising he had
walked around the little building, ac-
cording to his custom, to inspect it ON
all sides, the policeman waited few
minutes, but as John did not put in an
appearance Policeman Moriarity whis-
tied for him. "Sure l knew me whistle
wud bring him if he was around, . said
Moriarity, explaining all to the man
ager next day.
But John did not appear.
Peter Moriarity, although an officer,
was not man to quickly perceive any
thing, so, wondering little, but not
thinking anything serious had happened,
he went ON doing his beat
Il guess, afther all, I'd better go
back, said he to himself after he had
gone about half an hours walk
Back he went, and this time he whis-
tied vigorously for John.
Funny Funny Sure enough p
said he. well, I've got to do me beat,
but I'll hurry around without thryin
any doors or lookin into anythin "
An hour earlier than usual Peter re-
turned, and as John was not vet there
he began to get alarmed
II don't want ter be afther wakin up
the express manager, said he, land
Robin him of his nights rest for may
be false alarm, SO I'll just stand here
and wait till some one comes.
II banroral. %1,at ,,,,,,,,,s, @l.ok A.
manager came down earlier than usual,
being uneasy about the large sum of
money in the vault, and when he saw
Moriarity standing stock still in front
of the door at in the morning he
quickened his pace.
What's up?' he called out
I'm sure l don't know, sir, :" said
the policeman; II haven't seen John
since 10 o'clock, and for the last few
hours I've been keepin guard mesilf "
"The deuce you havep' exclaimed
the manager, opening the door quickly
and stepping into the Office. Let look
for him .
But John was not there-not under
the benches asleep, nor yet III the hat
and coat room which adjoined the large
square office, where the safe stood i'll
plain sight.
well, I'll open the safe to see if all
is we'll ?
As the manager touched the safe door
the knob fell off on the floor. and put
ting the stove poker in the hole he
pulled the door open. All the valuable
packages were gonel
JOIN Bradley's been murdered and
the money taken ~ was the exclamation
of the manager, while Policeman Mort
arity hurried away for the police off
Gals.
Within an hour a message went along
the telegraph lines for me, and before
noon / was speeding west ON the fastest
limited -
When / arrived all was confusion in
the express office. John Bradley's body
had not been found, although a thor
ough search had been made for it, and
even all the small streams had been