Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-06-04

1t is many years since the events
that | am about to relate happened
1t was the only instance, / think,
during a long career, in which my
life was in any great peril; an in
stance savoring more of provincial
drama than actual life, but thrilling
enough while it lasted to leave its
mark upon the whole Of my days.
1t was case in which l owed nv
escape to an action SO desperate as
to warrant the idea that peace
able citizens, when interfered with,
are prone to be as dangerous as the
most lawless Of men.
| was a youngster of two and
twenty at the time, reading law in
the office Of a prominent attorney.
My people lived in Connecticut, and
| had no friends i'm New York, so
that it was quite pleasant change
for me when old Fogson called me
into his private Office one morning
and informed me that he had busi-
ness of private and pressing nature,
which necessitated my travelling to
BroXtOn at once.
81 want you to take this money
to Mr.. Warren's," said he, indicat-
ing a pile of bank notes which lay
upon the table count it,"
l wetted my fingers and counted
through the notes, which were of all
values, from five dollars to a hun
dred.
"How much ?" inquired the old
man.
"Thirteen hundred, SIR" said I.
"Just so," he replied "from this
moment you are responsible for it..
Put the notes in that wallet, and do
not lose sight Of them till you have
handed them over to Mr.. Warren in
person, and taken receipt for them.
There's train leaves at 1890 which
| want you to CATCH"
/ went off blithely, wondering
what new extravaganza our erratic
client had been guilty of that he
should want the money in such haste
and in such shape. | thrust the
wallet into my overcoat pocket.-it
was too large to go into any other
and, arrived at the station, took a
ticket for HaZleton, the nearest sta
tion to the residence of Squire War
rem.
We didn't travel very fast in those
days, and / was cramped and chilled
with sitting by the time / reached
my station The landscape was gray
and indistinct with the damp dis
comfort of November day, as /
stood on the bleak, deserted little
platform ard watched the train de-
part. expected to find a vehicle of
some sort awaiting me, but was dis
appointed, and after gazing around
for a few seconds, / followed the sta
tion-agent, as he was about to enter
his office, and asked him the way to
HazletOn.
I" Hazleton," he repeated, slowly /;
it's a good twelve miles from
here"
81 suppose there's been nobody
here To meet me?" | suggested,
He shook his head.
Z" must hire conveyance of
some sort, them" said /; where
can get One?"
The statiOn-agent meditated.-
" You won't get anything of the
kind about here, SIR" said he. "It
you take my advice, you will put
up here and walk over tomorrow
It's clean place, though it's small"
This would never do; my orders
were imperative.
"Is it an easy road ?" asked.
"The roads easy enough" wa:
the reply. "YOu take that roaC
leading up the hill there, for abou
two miles, till you come to an empty
cottage. Go up the lane by the sid,
of that, and you'll strike the high
road. You might, perhaps, get ,
wagon at the 'CaulifiOwer' there
but if not, it's as straight as you cal
go after that"
/ thanked him, and, buttoning vi
my coat, passed through the Office
which was warm and cheerful will
huge fire, into the road beyond
and commenced my journey.
was a good walker, and, beside that
I had made up my mind that
would be able to get vehicle o
some sort at the 'Caulifiower.'
By the time reached the cottag
indicated by the station agent,
was pitch dark, and ] had not met
soul. The night was cold and raw
and neither moon nor stars wer
visible. By walking around tn
cottage / found the lane, and the
increased my speed, with getting 6
fast as possible to the inn, for tn
large sum of mondy in my pocket
made me uneasy.
In my eagerness, I must hay
crossed the highroad without know
ing 1t, for by and by found myse
on broken ground, apparently