Year: 1878

About eight years ago, when l had not
railroaded it as long as l have now, l was
employed as messenger on a western
railway. l don't know as it is necessary
for me to say just what line it was, but I
will call it the B. L. & G.. r. R., just to
save myself the trouble of pronouncing
the whole name.


had not been on the run more than a
month previous to the date of the occur
renee of which l am going to tell you.
l had been running on branch route for
more than year, and might have staid
there a good deal longer If l had not
he went off. You see two or three
attempts had been made to rob the ex-
press car, and at last, at the end of
long run, Paxon was found dead in the
car with bullet-hole in his head. But
the safe was closed tight and secure,
though an attempt had been made to
blow it open, which proved Intellectual.
But the strangest part of it all was that
the key was missing from Paxon's pocket
and it was not found till good six weeks
afterward. Then it was discovered st
the side of the track, with a card tied en-
it, on which it was written that robbers
were in the car, and he expected they
would murder him if he refused to give
up the key. He was true to the last.
Well, you may suppose that felt just
the least bit squeamish about accepting
such an uninviting berth, but the super
intendent gave me orders, and I meant
to do my duty, however disagreeable it
might be. Then the pay was larger than
had ever received before and as was
acquainted with a good girl, who was
ready to bel p me inhabit house when
II. - ~ a. Al
was quite an object to me, can assure
you.


Well. everything passed off smoothly
enough for several weeks, and / had be-
come accustomed to the route, and made
a dozen or so Of very pleasant acquaiut-
ances, and I was growing to be pretty
we'll contented with my life. I had al
most begun to think the robbers, who
ever they might be, had given up all
thoughts of ever making anything out of
NY car, and had sought another field of
operation.


One day I was informed by the agent
at R that some time within a week
I would have to take charge of about
$50 900 in specie in it's transit over our
road on it's way from Washington to
San Francisco. The officers of the ex-
press company had been advised of this
Intended important shipment in order
that they might exercise redoubled vigi-
lance in the transportation of such val
liable consignment.


The evening after my conversation
with the agent he called me into the
Office, and told me that the specie was to
go over the road the next day but one.
He produced an envelope, and handed it
to me, saying as he did so:


There, Bill, are your orders, direct
from the superintendent, with his own
signature attached. Read them care
fully, and obey them to the letter for q
little mismove might cause q great less
to the company, and cost on your posi-
ton"


i" shall do my duty to the very let
ter" replied.


=" I am sure you mean to do So" re-
turned the agent, but you can't be too
careful. Some of the members of the
light-fngered profession are as smart as
! lightning The plans they can't devise
amt worth thinking of, and they are as
! fertile in expedient as the evil one him-
self I thought I'd just put you on your
guard in friendly way, and"


There was slight sound at the door.
| If the depot hadn't been deserted by
everyone except US two, and the switch
engine hadn't been up at the head of the
yard, where we could hear its incessant
| putting, I don't believe we would have
| heard the sound at all. But we both
noticed it at once, and, as looked out ot
the Office into the large room beyond,
saw man standing just inside the eute
door, with his head inclined toward ur
as if he was trying to OveThear our con
| versation. He saw me about the time ]


first noticed him. l knew it from the
liCtle start of surprise he gave as Iii
eyes met mine.


He was all over his awkwardness in


minute, for he drew his face down to al


expression of the utmost unconcern, anC


came boldly forward to the windows O


the efice through which the agea


always transacted any business he nigh


have with persons without.


i He was very fair appearing man


apparently of about 40 years, though h,


might have been little older. He wa


dressed in black, and, wearing high nat
, he might have passed very well for on
of the cloth, If his nose had not been Jus
trihe luminous. The other peculiarit,
noticed about the man was that he hai
q queer sort of red-lO0king eye.
appeared fixed and staring, and, as h
came nearer, l concluded it was glass
! 1t was so strange and unnatural in it
expression that thought should know
1t If l should see it peering at me owe
the great wall OF China.


! &C Is there a small package here 70