Year: 1878

About eight years ago, when had not rail-
roaded it as long as have now, was en-
ployed as messenger on western railway.
don't know as it is necessary for me to say
what line it was, but will call it the B. I. q
G. R. R., to save myself the trouble of pro-
nouncing the whole name.


I had not run on the road more than a
month previous to the date of the occurrence
of which I am going to tell you. l had been
running on branch route for more than
year, and I might have staid there good
deal longer, if had not been chosen to take
Paxton'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 a
long run, Paxton was found dead, in the car,
with bullet hole in bis head. But the safe
was closed tight and secure, though an at
tempt had been made to blow it open, which
proved Intellectual. But the strangest part of
it all was that the key was missing from Pax
toms pocket, and it was not found till good
six weeks afterward. Then it was discovered
at the side of the track, with card tied to it.,
on which it was written that the robbers were
in the car, and he expected they would muir.
der him if he refused to give up the key. He
was true to the last. Well, you may suppose
that I felt just little bit squeamish about
accepting such an uninviting berth; but the
superintendent 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 | was acquainted
with a good girl who was ready to help me in
habit a house whenever should be able to
own one, and that was quite an object to me.
l can assure you.


Well, everything passed of smoothly enough
for several weeks, and I had become accus-
toned to the route, and made dozen or so of
very pleasant acquaintances, and was growing
to be pretty we'll contented with my life. l
had almost begun to think the robbers, who
ever they might be, had given up all thoughts
of ever making anything out of my car. and
had sought another field of operations


One day was informed by the agent at
R, that some time, within week, would
have to take charge of about $50, 900 in spe-
Gle, in its transit over our road. The officers
of the express company had been advised of
this intended important shipment, in order
that they might exercise redoubled vigilance
in view of the great risk incurred in the trans
portaton of such a valuable consignment.


The evening after my conversation with
the agent, he called me into the office, and
told me the specie vas to 60 over the road
the next day, but one. He produced an en-
velope and handed it to me, saying as he did
30:


"There, Bill, are your orders, direct from
the superintendent, with his own signature at
tached. Read them carefully and obey them
to the letter, for little mismove migh cause
a great loss to the company, and cost you
your position"


81 shall do my duty to the very letter" l
replied.


II am sure you mean to do 80, said the
agent, "but you cannot be too careful Some
of the members of the light-6ngered profes.
sion are smart as lightning. The plans they
can't devise amt worth thinking Of, and they
are as fertile in expedients as the evil one
himself 1 thought I'D just put you on your
guard, in friendly way, and"


There was q 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 end of the yard, where we
could hear its incessant putting, don't be-
leve we could have heard the sound at all.
But we both noticed it at once, and as looked
out of the Office into the large room beyond,
/ saw man standing just inside the outer
door, with his head inclined toward US, as if
he was trying to overhear our conversation.
He saw me about the time first noticed him.
l knew it from the little start of surprise he
gave as his eyes met mine.


He was all over his surprise in minute
r -. C. Of
the utmost unconcern, and came boldly for
ward to the window of the Office, through
which the agent always transacted any busi-
ness he might have with persons without


He was very fair appearing man, appa-
rently about forty, though he might have been
a little older He was dressed in black, and,
wearing high hat, he might have passed
very we'll for one Of the cloth, if his nose had
not been Just q trife luminous The other
peculiar:ty I noticed about the man was that
he had queer sort of red-looking eye. 1t
appeared fixed and staring, and as he came
nearer / concluded it was glass. 1t was so
strange and unnatural in its expression, that
thought should know it if | should see it
peering at me over wall of China.


"Is 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 regis.
ters On the desk, and answered in the negative.


"Queer," said the man with the red eye.
at ought to have come yesterday. Have you
read the Evening Chronicle s''


And after this abrupt interrogation, the
stranger stood quite motionless, eyeing the
agent intently for as much as q minute.


We both answered "No."


The man took paper out of his pocket,
and spreading it open before us, put one of
his slender fingers upon the following para
graph:


FATAL ACCIDENT.-This afternoon, as two men,
named respectively Henry Van Scooter and G. H.
Grggs, were at work chopping timber In the pine
ries, near Scranton, tree fell upon them, killing
Van Scooter instantly, and inficting injuries upon
the person of Griggs, from which he died in less
than an hour. They are residents of C., and
it is understood their remains will be taken to
that place for burial.


"Henry Van Scooter was my only brother
nv twin. n.brother--who resembles me very
much, and Charley Griggs was my sisters
husband. It's sad blow sad blow |
don't know how my poor sister will bear it..
It's about this sad affair that I came here
chiefly. want to send the bodies through to
c., by express, Thursday, by the II 40
train. What will be the charges?'


"The charge will be twenty-five dollars, !"
answered the agent.


The stranger bowed solemnly in recognition
of the reply. Then he was silent for min
ute or two, during which time he appeared to
be struggling with his grief:


THE bodies will he here Thursday NOR.
ninp." he said. Il hope you will make all