Year: 1878

An NessehSefr stofS-


About eight years ago, when l had mob
railroaded II as l have now, l was en-
ployed as messenger on western rail
way. | don't know as ii is necessary for
NE to say just what lineit was, but l will
call it the r. T. & G.. r. R., Just to save
myself the trouble OF pronouncing the
whole name,


had not been in the run more than 8
month previous 10 the occurrence OF
which l am going 10 tell you. | had
been running on Il branch route, and /
might have stayed there good deal
longer, If had not been chosen to take
Paxson's place when he went of. You
see two or three attempts had been made
TO rob the express car, and at last, at the
end OF long pighs run, Paxson was
found dead in tho car with bullet hole
in his head. But the safe was closed
tight and secHre, though an attempt had
beo1 made TO blow il open. which had
proved Intellectual. But thei stranges,
part OF it all was that the key WAS missing
from Paxson's pockets, and 1t was not
found till good six weeks atterward.
Then IL was discovered at the side of the
track, with card 10 il. on which II was
written that robbers were in the car. and
be expected they would murder him il he
refused 20 give up the key. He was true
to the last! Well. you may suppose that
felt little bit squeamish about accept
ing such an uninviting berth; but the
superintendent gave mo my orders, and
| always meant.to do my duty. however
disagreeable 1t might be. Then the pay
was larger than had ever received be-
fore; and was acquainted with good
girl who was ready 10 help me inhsbit
house whenever should be able 10 own
one that was quite al object to ne. l can
assure you.


Well, everything passed of smoothly
enough for several weeks, and had be-
come accustomed to the route, and made
u dozen or SO very pleasant acquaint-
snces, and / was growing 10 be pretty
well contented with my life. | had almost
begun to think The robbers. whoever they
might be, had given up all hope of ever
making anything out OF my car, and had
sough, another field Of operations.


One day WAS informed by the agents
al R-lhst some time within q week i
would have TO take charge OF about
eighty thousand dollars in specie in its
transit over our road. on its way from
Washington TO San Francisco. The
officers OF the express company had been
advised of this Intended important ship
men., in order that thoy might exercise
redoubled vigilance in view Of the great
risk incurred in the transportation OF such
valuable consignment.


The evening otter my conversation
with the agent, he called me into the
Office, and told me the specie was TO go
over the road the next day but one. He
produced sn envelope, and handed il to
me, saying as Sc did 30


There. Bill. are your orders, direct
from tho superintendent. with his own
signature attached. Read them carefully,
and obey them TO the letter for little
miss-move might cause great loss TO
the company and cost you your position"


81 shall do 10Y dusS to the very letter"
l replied.


Il am sure you mean 10 do So" re-
turned The agent, "but you can't be too
careful. Some members OF the light
fingered profession are as smart as light
ming. The plans they can't devise aih't
worth thinking OF. and they are as fertile
in expedients as the evil one himself. l
thought I'd just put you on your guard
IN friendly way, and


There was slight sound at the door.
IL the depo! hadn't been deserted by 0v-
cry one except US two. and the switch
engine hadn't been put up at the end Of
the yard where We couldn't hear Its in
cessant putting. don't believe we would
have heard the sound at all But we
both noticed at once, and as looked out
OF the Office into the large room beyond,
saw a man standing just outside the
outer door, with his head inclined toward
US, as il he was inclined 10 overhear our
conversation. He saw me about the
time first noticed him. l knew it from
the little start OF surprise he gave as bis
eyes met mine.


He was all over bis awkwardness in a
minute, for be drew bis face down into
an expression of the utmost unconcern,
and came boldly forward to the window
OF the Office, through which the agent
always transacted any business he might
have with persons without.


de was very fair appearing man, Gp-
parently about forty, though he might
have been little older. He vas dressed
in black, and wearing high hat. he
might have passed for one of the cloth.
if his nose hadn't been a trifle luminous
The only other peculiarly noticed about
the man. was that he had queer sort OF
q red looking eye. 1t appeared fixed