Year: 1878

About eight years ago, when l had
not railroaded as long as l have now,
l was employed as messenger on a
Western railroad. 1 don't know as
it is necessary for me to say what line
it was, but | will call it the B. T. & G.
r. r., just because 1t will save me the
trouble Of pronouncing the whole
name.


Ihad not been on the run more than
month previous to the date of the oc-
currence of which | am going to tell
YOU. | had been running on branch
route for more than year, might
have staid there longer If l had not been
chosen TO take PaxOu's place when he
went off. You sec, two or three at
tempts had been made to rob the eX-
press car, and at last, at the end OF a
long run. Paxon was found dead in the
car with bullet in his head. But the
safe was left tight and secure, although
an attempt wos made to blow it open,
but to no avail. The strangest part ol
it was that the key was missing from
Paxon's pocket, and not found until SIX
weeks alterward. Then it was discov'
cred at the side ofthe track, with a card
tied TO 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 tke key. He was true to the
last. Well, you may suppose that 1
felt Just the least bit squeamish about
accepting such an uninyiting berth; BID,
the superintendent gave me orders, and
1 meant to do my duty, however dis
agreeable it might be. Then the pay
was larger than l had ever received
before; and as was acquainted with a
GOOD girl, who was ready to help me
inhabita house whenever l should be
able to own one, that was quite an
object to me. l can assure you.


Well, everything passed of smooth
" enough for several weeks, and l had
become accustomed to the route, and
made a dozen or more pleasant ac-
Quaintances, and was growing to be
pretty well contented with my life. l
had almost begun to think the robbers,
whoever they might be, had given up
all thought Of ever making anything out
Of my car, and had found another field
Of operation.


One day was informed by the agent
at R--that sometime within q
week l would have charge Of about
$4,000 in specie. in transit over our
road, on its way from Washington to
San Francisco. The officers Of The
company had been advised Of this I'M
portant shipment, in order that they
might exercise redoubled vigilance in
view of the great risk to incurred be in the
transportation Of such a valuable con-
slgnment.


The evening after my conversation
with the agent he called me into the
Office, and told me that the specie was
10 90 over the road the next day,
but one. He produceda 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 obeyed them to the letter,
for little missmoye might cause a
great loss to the company, and cost you
your position


L Shall do my duty, to the very let
ter, replied.


4 am sure you mean to do So re-
turned the agent, but you can't be too
careful. Some Of the members Of the
long-fngered procession are as quick as
lightning. The plans they can't devise
amt worth thinking Of, and they are as
fertile IN expedient as the devil himself.
l thought I'd just put you on Your
guard in friendly manner, and


There was a slight sound at the door.
If the depot hadn't been deserted by
every one except us two, and the switch
engine hadn't been up at the yard, where
we couldn't hear its incessant putting, l
don't believe we would have heard it
at all. But we both noticed it at once,
and as | looked out Of the office into the
very large room beyond, l saw man
standing Just inside the outer do or, with
his head inclined toward us, as If he
was trying to overhear our conversation.
He saw me about the time first noticed
him. | knew it from the little start of
surprise he gave me as his eyes met
mine.


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


He was a very fair appearing man,
apparently about 40, though he might
have been a little older. He was dress
ed in black, and wearing high hat, he
might have passed very well for one Of
the cloth, if lis nose hadn't been just n
trihe luminous. The other popularity |
noticed about the man was that he had
a queer sort Of red looking eye. 1t
appeared fixed and staring, and, as he
came nearer, concludad it was glass.
1t was so strange and unnatural in its
expression that thought l would know
it if should see it peering at me over
the great wall Of China,