want here, you scoundrel?" page 190

XI. In a second, Mrs. Maroney grasped a pitcher and smashed
it over Josh.'s skull. page 222

XII. Raising the dead animal by its caudal appendage, he
angrily exclaimed, "That's my dog!" page 226

XIII. As he stood outside of the counter, I was enabled to call
off all the packages on the way-bill, but dropped the four containing
the forty thousand dollars under the counter. page 237

XIV. The peddler lifted his satchel into the buggy; the Madam
hurriedly emptied it of its contents, and holding it open
jammed the bundle of money into it, and handed it back to
the peddler. page 268

THE EXPRESSMAN AND THE DETECTIVE.

_CHAPTER I._

Montgomery, Alabama, is beautifully situated on the Alabama river, near
the centre of the State. Its situation at the head of navigation, on the
Alabama river, its connection by rail with important points, and the
rich agricultural country with which it is surrounded, make it a great
commercial centre, and the second city in the State as regards wealth
and population. It is the capital, and consequently learned men and
great politicians flock to it, giving it a society of the highest rank,
and making it the social centre of the State.

From 1858 to 1860, the time of which I treat in the present work, the
South was in a most prosperous condition. "Cotton was king," and
millions of dollars were poured into the country for its purchase, and a
fair share of this money found its way to Montgomery.

When the Alabama planters had gathered their crops of cotton, tobacco,
rice, etc., they sent them to Montgomery to be sold, and placed the
proceeds on deposit in its banks. During their busy season, while
overseeing the labor of their slaves, they were almost entirely debarred
from the society of any but their own families; but when the crops were
gathered they went with their families to Montgomery, where they gave
themselves up to enjoyment, spending their money in a most lavish
manner.

There were several good hotels in the city and they were always filled
to overflowing with the wealth and beauty of the South.

The Adams Express Company had a monopoly of the express business of the
South, and had established its agencies at all points with which there
was communication by rail, steam or stage. They han