The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-04-11
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SO strange and unnatural in it's ex-
preston that l thought should
know it If should see it peering at
me over the top Of the great wall of
China.
| rs there small package here for
Isaac G. Van Scoter?" he asked. in
business-like way, in answer to the
inquiring glance of the agent.
The agent referred to one of the big
registers on the desk, and answered
/ in the negative.
Queer" said the man with the red
| eye. 'It ought to have come yester-
| day. Have you read the Evening
Chronicle?"
And after this abrupt interrogation,
the stranger stood quite motionless,
eying the agent intently, for as much
as minute
We both answered mo"
The man took a paper out of his
pocket, and spreading it open before
us, put one of his slender forefingers
upon the following paragraph.
Fatal Accident-This afternoon, as
two men, named respectively Henry
Van Scooter and G. H. Griggs, were at
work chopping timber in the pineries
near Scranton, tree fell upon them,
killing Van Scooter instantly, and in
fiicting injuries upon the person OF
Griggs, from the effects of which he
died in less than an hour. They are
residents Of C.. and it is under
stood that their remains will be TAX
en- to that place for burial"
Henry Van Scooter was my only
brother-my twin brother-who re-
sembled me very mMch," said the
stranger; "and Charles Griggs was
my sisters husband. It's sad blow
I don't know how my poor sister will
bear it. It's about this sad affair
that I came here. chiefly. l want to
send the two bodies through to C.
by express Thursday, by the 11.40
train. What will be the charger"
"The charge will be $685." an
swered the agent.
The stranger only bowed solemnly
in recognition of the reply. Then he
was silent for a minute or two, during
which time he appeared to be strug-
Cling with his grief
'sThe bodies will be here Thursday
morning." he said. 81 hope you will
make all arrangements to prevent any
delay. / guess my package won't
come this week"
The agent assured him that there
would be no delay, and he might de-
pend on having the bodies go through
to c. with the greatest possible
expedition.
The man bowed again politely;
then he said:
'Ts the telegraph office near?
| must break the sorowful news to my
| poor sister, suppose, though it's any
thing but pleasant duty
told him how to reach the place
he sought, and with a polite ."thank
you," the sad man with the red eye
walked out of the Office. and in a cou-
pie of minutes the sounds of his foot
| steps died away in the distance.
"a queer sort of chap" said I.
"a little odd" answered the agent.
81 wonder if he heard us talking
about the specie?" l queried.
"He seems honest enough"
eyes," said I; "but I'm sure he
was listening to our conversation
when first saw him."
"Are you certain of it?" the agent
asked, eagerly.
.Well-no," replied, mot alto
gether certain; but it looked very like
| it, can tell you."
Suppose you go to the telegraph
office and see what sort Of message
he SENDS" suggested the agent.
No sooner said than done hast
ened around to the telegraph office
and as I went in the man came out.
He didn't seem to remember meat
least, he didn't look at me-and |
though it prudent not to appear to
notice him.
| did that preacher looking chap
send a message to G?" asked OF
| the operator, when / had gone into
| the little Office and closed the door
after me.
| Eyes. Why do you Ask"
q ooh, only out OF curiosity" ! re-
Piled. "Was it anything Of import
ance? The man said his brother and
brother-in-law were both killed this
afternoon"
| The operator took q copy OF the
message from file on the table and
laid it before me. It was addressed
to Mrs. c. H. Griggs, C, and
signed Isaac G.. Van Scooter. It read:
Henry and Charles are both dead.
Their bodies will be sent home Thurs
day"
Everything seemed consistent, and
any doubts which had entertained
Of the good intentions of the strang-
er were speedily dispelled. / didn't
20 back to the express Office, but
turned my steps toward my boarding
place. thinking as walked along,
| that Thursday would be an uncom-
mon day with me, with two corpses
and $4,000 in specie in my car.