Passaic City record., 1897-07-17

make myself comfortable until you
come back"
Minnie didn't want me to go out one
bit, but told her Jim counted on me.
I didn't say word about the money,
however: I knew it would worry her,
and, to tell the truth, it worried me a
little. I was sorry Jim brought it
there, and I didn't like his talk about
precautions.
Well, after supper went out to see
if the dog was all right-I've got the
finest mastiff in the State-and when I
came back Minnie called to me from
the sitting-room,-
Just minute, Joe; I'm writing a
note for Hattie"
Hattie is the wife of the telegraph
operator, and I knew that Minnie
wanted me to leave it at the station,
where he could get it in the morning.
It was quite a number of minutes,
however, before she came out with the
note, and my vest and coat. It was so
warm had Left them off before sup
per.
Hadn't you better let the dog go
with you, Joe?" she asked, as she
helped me with my coat.
mo, no." said, laughing, sshell
stay home and take care of you. I'll
put the lamp in the window, though,
SO you'll know I'm all right" That
was great joke of ours, but Minnie
didn't laugh as she usually did.
'sMind," she said, eth watch for it,
and if it isn't there, I'll come down
after YOU
I'm station master at Y. Our
road is what's called the old line, and
travel on it is light, mostly freight.
At night the station is deserted, there
being no business for either telegraph
operator or ticket agent. This leaves
the station practically deserted after
sundown. It is only few rods from
our home, however, and feel that it's
under my eye all the time. I thought
of this as I walked back to the station
and didn't half like the idea of all
that money being about.
I found Jim with his heels on the
desk, putting away at good cigar.
''Not an ALARM he said, in his
joking way. 3'Not even a mouse"
We chatted away for an hour or
more, when Jim suddenly put down
his feet and yawned heavily.
"Joe," he said, eff you don't mind
I'll 60 out and take little stroll"
"Go ahead" I said, "but mind
you're not gone long,
After he had stepped out I was sor-
ry let him go. The thought of be-
ing alone with all that money was dis
quieting. I followed him to the door
and looked out. It was a bright
night and I saw Jim slip around the
corner. I knew he was after drink.
That was Jim's failing. That and
gambling.
I went back and sat down. The
more thought about that money the
more I didn't like the idea. What
business had Jim to go away and leave
all the responsibility with me? OF
course, he didn't leave it all with me,
but he left altogether too big share.
A l sat there grumbling low tap on
the window overlooking the platform
attracted my attention. looked up.
The side of the building was in the
shadow, but I could see mans face
against the pane.
"Joe," said somebody outside. I
supposed it might be one Of the sec
ton hands and stepped across the
room.
ssWhat is it?" I called.
"Open the window, Joe," said the
voice.
I pushed it up little.
''Is that you, Jerry?" called.
There was no response. I put my
head through the opening and looked
up and down the line. Nobody was
in sight. Jut then I heard a slight
noise behind me. I drew in my head.
Something seemed to crash into my
brain. A flash of binding light blind
ed me. Then all was dark.
When I came to I was tied in my
chair, my head was sore and wet, and
two men with strips of black cloth
across their faces were looking down
at me.
ssHe's all right said the shorter
man. The tall man nodded.
sect the keys, he said in queer,
/ hooreo vnica