The National tribune., 1899-07-06

The strong arm that was enforcing it, and
Informed me that was their prisoner.
ARRESTED ON SUSPICION.
] demanded with well-affected dignity
npon what grounds they had the presump-
ton to detain me, but they promptly M
formed me that would be fully enlightened
later on.
They took me about square from the
depot to little old-fashioned building
standing quite alone in an open space,
which ] took to be Squire's office OF we
olden time" Here, awaiting our arrival,
were gathered six or eight elderly and
scholarly looking gentlemen, who COM
menced questioning me as soon as was
seated.
adhered strictly to the story which had
told the conductor, which was in substance
that had been working in the Gulf Rail-
road shops at Savannah and was on my
way to Knoxville to visit a widowed mother
who was sick. After thorough cross
examination, lasting fully 80 minutes, one one
old gentleman said he thought was "all
right on the goose" an expression quite
common then.
yes" said another gentleman, the
story corroborates that of the conductor.
| was then discharged and set at liberty,
after they had offered profuse apologies for
having detained me, and insisted on enter
tanning me until the morning train should
leave for Dalton. ! accepted of one old
gentleman's hospitality, and he took me
bed, and after an excellent breakfast es-
corted me to the train.
At Dalton left the train only to await the
arrival of the next, which was an accommoda-
ton, which did not land me in Chattanooga
until o'clock the next morning. 1t was
quite dark, the air was chilly, and nothing
but the occasional barking of some lone
some dog broke the stiffness after the en-
gine had been sent to the roundhouse.
sat in the old depot on box, with my back
CT l and
respondent, for there were many miles be-
tween me and the old beloved Buckeye
State, and as ] mentally surveyed the
situation was quite discouraged.
i took an inventory of my finances and
found had AIS; the fare to Nashville was
S4.75. So it became necessary to do some
financiering based upon other than mathe-
matical calculations. CHANGING around
saw a feeble light f1ickering from a window
at short distance, and thither l went,
hoping to find warmth. AS l approached
] saw that the light came from small
dram shop. / entered. Behind the bar
stood broad-faced, good-natured Irish
man, who gave me short nod as / stepped
up TO the bar and called for something to
warm me up. He responded promptly and
declared as he placed the decanter and
glass on the counter that the "loikes of it
could not be found short Of the ould Blue
Grass itself"
FORGED LETTER OF INTRODUCTION.
invited him to take some with me, which
put him in excellent conversational
trim, something very much desired, as a
scheme had just then evolved itself in my
head how l should get free transportation
up to Nashville. Therefore, after having
gained all the information that could be
had from him concerning the engineer who
was TO pull the train up the road at $50
O'Clock, called for pen and ink and indited
a letter which purported TO be from the
brother w hn yVaC in hlrS c.,f
Augusta, Ga. This letter contained such
general news as l had learned from this
saloon-keeper, and introduced the bearer as
afellow machinist and entitled to courteous
consideration. / sealed it, addressed it to
the engineer, and awaited his appearance
with his engine in the depot.
The cars were in readiness, and soon the
Z great iron horse hove in sight, and by the
time reached the spot was coupling TO the
train which / hoped would pull me up the
road. The fireman was limbering up the
old engine with the oil can, and as the
engineer stood by viewing with apparent
satsfacnon the condition of his iron steed
approached him and inquired if his name
was Thompson. Being assured that il
was, 1 presented him the letter, which he
hastily tore open and commenced reading.
My heart was almost in my mouth, and If
he could not see it, feared he would hear IT,
so loud did it thump, as was so fearful that
the handwriting or the phraseology would
disclose the fraud. But my doubts were
soon dispelled and my fears turned to joy
when he suddenly turned toward me with
extended hand. and assured me he was
glad to meet me, and insisted on my accom-
panying him on the engine, as the letter
had already informed him that was on my
way to Nashville
OF course l gladly accepted his proffered
kindness and stepped in the cab with him
and took seat, at his suggestion, on the
fireman's box. l was glad the time was
up and they must pull out at once, giving
the engineer, Mr.. Thompson, less time to
question me-
AT noon, when the train stopped for din
ner, he kept me close at his elbow, so that the
ticket agent would not trouble me for meal
tickets. turned the conversation to poll