Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-06-23
CHAPTER VII.
\ CHANGE OF BASE,

| N NilA-NuE- VT bASl.
We did not reach Flagstaff till 7, and
told the stagcload to take possession
Of their car, while | went to my own.
1t took me some time TO get frcShenCd
up and then Tate my breakfast, for aft
er riding ~ miles in one night even the
most heroic purposes have to take the
side track / think, as it was, proved
my devotion pretty well by not going to
sleep, since / had been up three nights,
with only such maps rs | could steal in
the saddle, and had ridden over / so miles
to boot. But couldn't bear to think of
Miss Cullen's anxiety. When had fin
iShcd eating, | went into 2lS.
The party were all in the dining
room, but il was very different look
ing crowd from the one with which
that first breakfast had been eaten, and
they all looked at me as | entered as if
l were the exccutioncr come for victims.
Mr.. Cullen, / said, I've been
forced to do lot Of things that weren' t
pleasant, but | don't want to do more
than / need. You're not the ordinary
kind of road agents, and, as presume
your address is known, / don't see any
need Of arrcsting one of our own di-
rectors as yet. All ask is that you give
me your word for the party that mono Of
you will Try to leave the country"
Certainly, Mr. Gordon" he re.
sponded. And | thank you for your
great consideration. "
Il shall have to report the case to our
president, and suppose to the postmas-
ter general, but l shan't hurry about ci-
thcr. What they will do can t say.
Probably you know how far you can
keep them quiet"
Il think the local authorities are ali
/ have TO fear, provided time is given
mo "
II have dismissed the sheriff and his
posse, and l gave them 500 for theil
work ard three bottles of pretty good
whisky l had on my car. Unless they
get orders from elsewhere, you will not
hear any further from them. "
'4ou must let me reimburse what
expense we have put you to, Mr. Cor
don. only wish could as easily repay
your kindness. "
Nodding my head in assent as we'll
as i'll recognition Of his thanks, | CON
tinued, 1T was my duty as an official
of the X. 81 A. to recover the stolen
mail, and had to do it. "
We understand that, " said Mr.. Cul-
len, land do not for moment blame
you.
But, " went on, for the first time
looking at Madge, it is not my duty
to take part in contest for control of
the K. & A, and shall therefore act
III this case as should i'll any other loss
Of mail. "
And that Isl asked Frederic.
II am about to telegraph for instruc-
tons from Washington, 1 said. LAS
the q. S. has tied up some of your
proxies, they ought not to object if we
do the same. and think can manage
SO that Uncle Sam will prevent those
proxies from being voted at Ash Forks
on Friday"
If galvanic battery had been applied
to the breakfast table, it wouldn't have
made a bigger change. Madge clapped
her hands in joy. Mr.. Cullen said
God bless youl' with real feeling.
Frederic jumped up and slapped me on
the shoulder, crying, Gordon, you're
the biggest old trump breathing" while
Abort and the captain shook hands with
each other in evident jubilation. Only
Lord Rallies remained passive.
Have you breakfasted?" asked Mr..
Cullen when tho first joy was over
Yes, " l said II only stopped in on
my way to the station to telegraph"
May como with you and see what
you say?" cried Fred, jumping up.
L nodded, and Miss Cullen said qucs-
tioningly, "Me too2" making mo very
happy by the question, for it showed
that she would speak to me. In mo-
ment we were all walking toward the
platform. Despite Lord Rallies, felt
happy, and especially as 1 had not
dreamed that she would over forgive me.
L took telegraph blank, and, put
ting it so that Miss Cullen could see
WuaI salu, wrote:
Postmaster General, Washington:
hold, awaiting your instructions, the three
registered letters stolen from No. 8 Overland
Missouri Western express on Monday, Oct. H.
loss OF which has already been notified you.
Then l paused and said: $50 far,
that's routine, Miss Cullen. Now comes
the help for you" And I continued:
The letters may have been tamporod with,
ana recommend special agent. Reply Flag
staH' ARIZONA RICHARD GORDON,
superintendent K. and A. r. r.
what will that dor" she asked.
I'm not much at prophecy, and we'll
wait for the reply" said.
All that day we lay at Flagstaff, and
after good sleep, as there was no use