The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-10-20

AkIllHOO L any reason wnateVer'
w my strange companion grasped
my arm with a clutch like wise, and,
with abject terror depicted upon every
feature of his countenunc ce, exclaimed:
"save me! Save me! They are after
me again!"
"Who are after your" I asked, vain
ly trying to disengage his painful hold
on my arm.
"Th"se real estate men. They'll
shoot me. See" And he pointed out
of the car window to two peaceable-
looking gentlemen who approach
ing the train with fowling-pieces
slung over their shoulders
At this moment n small man, with
alert, nervous eyes, who had been In
almost constant attendance upon the
German, entered the smoking-com-
partment of the Pullman and said:
"Never mind. Jake. It's all right. I
have got them In the next cor where
they can't harm you. See, I've got my
guns with me. and no one can hurt
you while nm around"
"Vas it loaded?"
"Yes. I think you had better go to
bed now. while sit up and protect
YOU"
"Yes. that would be peter" said the
German. greatly assured.
I felt sure that these two men were
as crazy as bedbugs. and I 1T q fresh
cigar to think.
I was travelling from Sun Francisco
20 London, and up to this moment had
seen nothing eccentric atort the Ger
man except his rather grotesque ap-
pearance. He and his companion were
intensely interesting characters. but
they seemed harmless II they were
interesting before. they were doubly
so now. After awhile tire littlemanr
turned, and. throwing himself wearily
upon the cushioned scot opposite me,
said,
Now that have got my trouble
some friend TO bed. I'll take q rest.
He'll not stir, can ten you, 50 long as
he thinks there are Los Angeles real
estate men on the train.
"Whats tho matter with htmf"
said.
"Of here" And he tapped his fore
head significantly. There's q boom on
at Los Angeles, you know. and the real
estate men scared him out Of his wits" !"
"You don't say SOP"
"Yes. About six weeks ago our de-
tecrve agency IN San Francisco re-
ceived instructions from New York
attorney to locate the whereabouts Of
Jacob Schmidt, who had not been
heard from for some time, and was
assigned the task. A fine time had Of
1t. can tell YOU" Add the detective
medltatively pufYed great rings Of
smoke from his pipe. "Gethim to tell
you about his adventures tn southern
California, You will find II amusing.
He's taken great fancy to you-says
you saved his life Just now. He is sure
you couldn't be 30 dishonorable az 10
have anything to do with real estate"
II was q strange story I hsar2 from
Mr.. Jacob Schmidt by neceneal dur.
ing the next few days. A story Of 3D.
venture which might have sent many
better man than he of his head; tale
no one would credit who had not gone
through that Los Angeles boom; one
that could not have credited had not
the sad havoc wrought In the other
wise sane mind OF Jacob Schmidt
been daily apparent'as we Travelled to-
ward the Atlandtio seaboard.
About 90 years previous to this time
Jacob and Frau Schmidt crossed the
Atlantic, and, following the Teutonic
instinct, they opened a corner grocery
Ia the suburba OF brooklyn. In 1883
reports were rife Of the great specu-
lative fever that had seized southern
California. and Of the fortunes that
were made in day; and as buyer
presented himself at that time, Jacob
Schmidt decided 10 sell for snug littls
sum and geek his fortune in the far
west All in good time the honest and
simple-bearted Teuton arrived at Pas
Gdena, where he had been advised 10
pause and look around. To the con-
servative tourist from the effete east
The scene Of pandemonium At the depot
must have been appalling. Carriages,
omnfbuses and innumerable buggies
lined the curb. The carriags-men
were shouting, hotel-runners yelling.
but above all the din and jostling Of the
crowd ~->. Aeard the sonorous and
sturdy voices Of the real estate run
nery, shouting: free ride all over the
city! Landed safely at you hotel!"
The passengers were buston-holed the
moment they stepped on the train and
hustled, willy-nilly, OF to tn. bussl-s.
An was exciting, bewilderin,.
I Jake echmidt was laborfou,'r 20.
mnnaHn0 lA aH~y,a of thu Dullms Nm Nj L..