Year: 1878

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


had not been on the run more than
month previous to the date of the occurs
renee of which | am going to tell you.
! had been running on branch route for
more than year, and | might have staid
there good deal longer il | had not
been chosen to take Paxon's place when
he went of, 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 a 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 at
the side of the track, with card tied on
it, on which it WIS written that robbers
were in the car, and he expected they
would murder him if he reiuaed 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 | 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 good girl, who was
ready to help me inhabit house when
ever | should be able TO own one, that
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
q dozen or 50 OF very pleasant acquaint-
ances, and | was growing to be pretty
well contented with my life. | had al
most begun to think the robbers, who.
ever they might be, had given up all
thoughts of ever making anything out Of
nv car, and had sought another field of
operation.


One day I was informed by the agent
at R that some time within week
I would have to take charge of about
$4,000 in specie in its transit over our
road on its 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
90 over the road the next day but one.
He produced an envelope, and handed it
to me, saying as he did 30:


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


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


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


There was slight sound at the door
II the depot hadn't been deserted b,
everyone except us two, and the switch
engine hadn't been up at the head Of tn
yard, where we could hear its incessan
putting, l don't believe we would hav
heard the sound at all. But we bot
noticed it at once, and, as looked out Q
the office into the large room beyond,
saw man standing just inside the eutt
door, with his head inclined toward u
as il he was trying to overhear our con
versation. He saw me about the time


first noticed him. / knew it from tn
little start of surprise he gave as ii
eyes met mine.


He was all over his awkwardness in


minute, for he drew his face down to al
expression of the utmost unconcern, ant
came boldly forward to the windows o


the effice through which the agen
always transacted any business he nigh
| haya Nth no raODa without.