Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1891 — The Express Agent’s Ordeal. [ARTICLE]

The Express Agent’s Ordeal.

“Speaking of money,’’ said Passenger Agent W. K. Fagan, “reminds me of au experience I had once. It was just four clears ago, when I was au express agent in one of the small towns of Texas. The safe was one of these little fellows liko the messengers carry in their cars. You could carry it off on your back or pry it open with a knife. Well, one evening when the express train pulled in the messenger handed me a package. I checked for it, and found it contained $40,000. Ge whiz! but didn’t the cold chills run over me when I looked at it. Forty-thousand dollars and nowhere to put it but in my little pony safe. I didn’t know what to do with-it. I shook like I had a buck ague. The money was for a big ranchman ’bout forty milos away, and I didn’t know whon he’d bo in. I couldn’t eat any supper. I was afraid to leave the office and scared to take the package out. I sat down and thought, nr tried to think. Jt was growing durk. The winds thatcainc sweeping across the

broad plains moaned as they stole through the keyhole and the cracks in the door. Every mesquite tree, in the dusk, took on the shape of a highwayman, and I could heur the footfall of burglars in every sough of the wind. Each moment seemed an age. I began to feel my hair turn gray. The susFense was dreadful. Just at this moment saw one of the boys. I called to him and told him to come over to tho oflico. I didn’t say a word about thut mouey, but told him I was sick and got him to send for my supper and then get half a dozeu Winchesters and stay in the office with me. I told him I was looking for robbers that night. Whilo lie was out I took that package and put it between tho mattresses on the bed. I didn’t sloep a wink that night. Tho next day tho ranclunau came in for his package, and I never was so glud to got rid of money in my life. I was so happy that I hollered, and then went out and set ’em up to the boys. I was a young man then, but I recall every incident of tho time ns readily as if it was yesterday.” —[.Memphis Appoal-Avalanche.