Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-01-07
Copyright, 1899, by Herbert s. Stone & Co.
CHAPTER VI.-CoNTINUED.


The incident was not, however, with
out sequel, for one of the party q dis
covered afterwards that he was Num-
Der Two), whose Jump" had been ac-
Companied by a word unaccustomed to
ears polite, but whose sins were not
all uncovered by that cloak to the
wearer of which much may be for
given, that cloak which can transform
The raggedest of rascals into a present
able parsonage and an agreeable COM
panion-need | say | mean a sense of
humor took advantage of the diver
sion to make a sensible suggestion.
He remarked that he had always been
taught and was quite prepared to ad-
nit the truth of the SCriptural pre-
cept that the way of transgressors is
hard" but as for himself he did not
see why the transgressors-as he pre-
sumed the occupants of that wagon
were-shOuld be poisoned in this world
as well as roasted in the next, and he
begged leave to move that either the
door or the window be opened.
1t was not a brilliant observation, but
it brought about two good results
the letting in of some fresh air and
the letting out of the awkward con-
Straint which had bound us. Laughter
is the greatest of Jewellers. To ask a
man TO drink with you-which, ac-
cording to our English social code, is
the very running up of the flag OF fell
l0Wship-is not half so effective in
setting you and him upon good terms
with each other, as is a hearty laugh in
common. From laughing at this allu-
sion to the way of transgressors we
went on to discussing the situation as
1t then presented itself, and as there
was still no sign of the advent of Num-
Der One, We decided that something
had happened to detain him, and that,
as we could do nothing without him, we
had best postpone the discussion of
business till the next day, when he
would, no doubt, make an opportunity
to join us. In the meantime we must
pass the night where we were, so each
of us proceeded to make himself as
comfortable--or, rather, as little uncom-
fortable-as he could in our very luz
urious lodgings. For myself, what
with the unusual circumstances, the
tragic struggle in the train, the inn
patient tossings, turnings, twistings
and sighings of my companions, vainly
straining after ease on their most un-
easy couches, | slept never wink all
night, and was glad indeed when morn
ing was far enough advanced for one
of us to venture abroad in search of
hFPa III
not long before he hurried back empty
handed, bringing us, in place of break
fast, news which was no news to me.
"Fe1low councillors" he said, with
evident agitation, Il have terrible It'd
IRgS for you. Our chief, Number One,
was killed on the railway last night.
He must have been walking along the
line on his way to join us, when he
was knocked down between BenfleeU
and Leigh by passing train. They
were bringing his body in when l got
into the village, and, though he was
wearing no beard, l recognized him at
once"
For half minute no one spoke, and
then one of the councillors said Gu
riously-
"How did you recognize him if he
wasn't disguised?"
"By his clothes, in the first place.
was the answer "He had the blue
serge suit, turn-down collar and spot
ted tie which we all wear. But l
should have recognized him quite
apart from that, for l was to some ex-
tent in his confidence, and, in fact,
met him by appointment only two days
ago"
who are you, them" said the man
who had constituted himself spokes-
man.
Il am Councillor Number Two-the
Oldest member of the society, next to
sur late chief l was the first man to