Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-06-15
my PRISONER, SIR!'

tains from Cumberland to Brownsville
in the stage. | had occupied week in
the passage, stopping at the several
towns to perform the business OF the
agency with which l was intrusted.
A few days before my arrival at o.,
the bank there had been robbed, and
the town was in a state of intense eX-
citement on account Of the robbery. As
there was comparatively but little pass
ing to and from the place, almost every
man in the village had made up his
mind that this or that person whom ne
had seen was the robber-only he had
left the place. 1t was of course very
fortunate for the poor travellers that
hardly two of the villagers agreed as to
the identity of any single person with
the bold villain.
1t did not occur to me that l might
myself he suspected and l left the place
conscious that my looks were more
than enough to shield me from suspi-
cion. L. is only twelve miles from
Brownsville, and on my arrival at this
place | put up at the hotel to remain
few days; but my business being
fortunately disposed of in few hours,
l decided to take the evening boat for
Pittsburg.
At dinner l sat next to a dashing sort
OF person, who presently introduced
himself as Captain Ford, of New York.
He was a gentleman, so far as l could
Judge in the short interview, and l was
pleased to make his acquaintance. We
spent the afternoon together until four
o'clock, when we both went on board
the steamer.
The captain was quite communica-
tive and told his history for the pre-
ceding twenty years, a portion of which
period had been passed at sea, as cap
tain of a Liverpool packet. Our init
macy ripened into very excellent feel
ing, and we took the same stateroom
for the night.
"You stopped at Uniontewn. l think
you said" remarked my friend, as we
seated ourselves in the saloon after
supper.
Yes, I was there couple of days"
"Of course you heard that the bank
was robbed"
81 did; but it was two or three days
before nr arrival"
THAT was lucky for you"
"Why soY
Because every person who has
passed through the place within fort
night previous to the robbery has beer
suspected of the crime. You wouldn't
take me for bank robber, presume 2
Certainly not"
yet l am certain that suspicion
rested upon me, though l was not open
Iy charged with the crime"
'Impossiblev'
81 think so. It was decidedly annoy
ng to be suspected of such an offence
'"Well, don't know; If man is limo
rent, why should he care?"
"True; but it is an uncomfortable
feeling"
'I don't feel So"
Sometimes, you know, circustance!
give a color to such suspicious. For e1
ample, one having great deal o
money about him, might find himsel
the possessor of some bills of this yer.
bank that has been robbed. OF cours
they are scattered all over the coun
Try"
VERY true; doubt not 1 have som
Of the bills Of the U. bank
81 know that 1 have"
pulled out my pocketbeok and foun
had about S15 of the money. Capital
Ford also produced two $50 bills.
81 got a hundred-dollar bill change
In Cumberland, and received thes
notes"
After this conversation we Wen
cut upon the gallery and smoked
rigar; but the night was too dark an
damp to remain outside, and we re
turned to the cabin. AS We entered tn
saloon, | noticed that a rough-looktn
fellow, who had followed us out, wa
close upon our heels as we returned
BE seemed to take no special notice
US, though l observed that he place
himself very near us.
The captain and myself had som
further conversation in regard to tn
bank, which, however, was introduce
by me. Two or three times L caugf
the roughlooking fellow in the act c
paving very close attention to our r.
marks, and with a sudden conclusion
sumped to the fact that he was In som
manner connected with the robber.
He did not look any too good to be ei
Gagged in such an enterprise.
I called Captain Ford's attention
Sne man, and he coincided with me
hhe belief that he was connected wit
the affair in some manner. In order
sry him we rose and walked to the ia
ther end of the boat. He followed
evidently paying the closest attentio
to every word we uttered.
"Have you a warrant for his arrest
I asked my companion, loud enough
h hea I'd hY the listener. KtnknG