Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-10-15
AN UGLY CUSTOMER.
A RAILROAD INCIDENT.

mind with such painful feelings, that cannot
even think of it without, in some degree, renew
ing suffering which would fain hope is without a
parallel in The experience OF any whose eye may
glance over this record of mine.
In the month of August 1S-, it was incumbent
upon me to take a journey to town at some dis
lance from that of my own residence. Time being
no object with me, and hecountry through which
route lay very beautiful resolved to take 1t III
wha. was to me the most enjoyable way; but alter
dilligent inquiry fol anything III The shape OIL
stage coach, found that they had ceased running
the week before; SO that con the TaiP' was my on
ly chance OF getting to the place of my destination.
l made virtue OF necessity; submit
ting, though with the worst grace in the woIldj
for my habitual dislike to this mode OF travelling
was increased by one of those unaccounta6le MS
of reluctance to taking journey, which some
times seizes one, and which is usually set down To
the score of nervousness. So tried to explain
mine; which as the time drew near rose to a com,
plete dread of it, 10 my no small annoyance lot
had contempt for omens and preSentments; anu
jealousy, but vainly, tried to pooh! pooh! my
self out of it.
The morning broke, dull, wet oppressive, with
apparent half score of thunder showers In re-
serve for my especial nsej anu at SIX Q Cl9cN
Jumped up from on uneasy DREAM IN which was
struggling with some nondeScript wild beast, TO
find had only half an hour to make my toilet aud
get TO the station OF course, everything went
wrong; strings slipped into knots buttons new
never was there such confusion. could not be
quick, was in such hurry. Hastily swallowing
cup of teo, (part Of which, to crown my mrhaps'
went the wrong way,) ran ohj ana must own
that, important as my business, llelt nail Sor
~, as entered the booking office, TO ind myself
in time.
The rain ceased as we got into the open coun-
try, fine breeze sprang up, which blew away my
fidgets, and began internally 10 laugh at myself
for having been such n fool; not forgetting 10 con-
graduate my better self on its having trumphed
over the nervous fears that had beSet me. II Teal-
" became almost pleasant. A mall-traln' SO that
was secure fIom the plague OF frequent stoppages
and their consequent flesh starts. An eAhllaLa-
ting atmosphere: the dark clouds that had spoken
of thunder when l rose, now betrayed no such OBJ
streperous intentions, bat quietly taking them
selves off us fast as they could. The weight on
my spirits removed; yes: began TO be susceptible
of Modified sort Of enjoyment; and III the gaity
of my heart, told my ow-traVeler mat II was
fine day; q remark TO which he vouchsaled ms
no answer, save such might be called The turning
OIL me pair OF eyes that looked VaSuly ike lNe
Goals. They almost made me start; Gut conSia-
cred it was no business of mine; the gentleman's
eyes were his own, end doubted not that nhne,
owing TO short and SleepcSS night, were as much
too dull as his too brght:SU whSkeI my peck
ct handkerchief across them, by way oil poliShnS
them little, took out newspaper, sank into
cosy corner, and prepared TO sleep or reau as the
case would be- In the very dIowSieSt part oil
long speech, was Just going of into the most lux
uriouS slumber imaginable, when L was aroused Oy
the TeStleSSneSS of my comparison; who as wa
1 k6d thoroughly Seenetl l0DOIlIS uHuGL SA'IlC
strong and inexplicable excitement lie. looked
agitated, changed his seat frequently, moved lbs
| limbs impatiently, borrowed my paper, anu Ill
tce returned ii, with some unintellIslble oUSetVa
ton; then peered anxiouSly out OF the window
through which lie thrust himself so lar, as 10 m
duce me to volunteer caution, which he received
pleasantly, stared at the wheels, though he was
calculating their revolutions, and then resumed Ills
seat.
His perturbation was manifest. could not i'm
yhntD OSSaSSal him. but at length, NOTICING
| the Ggitated manner with which lie often glanceu
through the window as though 10 see whether we
were followed, determined that he must be some
pentlemanly rogue, to whom speedy flight was IN
dispenSable; and that his anxiety aud excessive
disturbance arose from fear of pursuits fear that
TO me seemed one of those vain ones peculiar 10
the wicked, for we were then nearly at the u'lna-
tum of railway speed, and did not expect 10 STOP
before reaching destination, still at consider
able distance. HIS whole manner and appearance
confirmed this view of the case; presumed his
evil conscience had conjured up special engine
at our heels; and otter ndulging IN few appro=
pirate moral reflections, (to myself, oil coaISe')
resumed my paper.
| The next minute he was opposite TO me.
heard light movement, raised my head-a strong
knife, such as is used III pruning trees, was open
in his hands and with eyes verify scintillatIns' his
startling address in a tone, the GOODNESS oil
which strangely contrastel with its import, was
'I'm going 10 kill youP The horrible truth Hash
ed upon me at once; he was insane, and alone
with him; shut out from all possibility OF human
| help! Terror gave me calmneSS; liking my eye
| upon him, so as 10 command his movements, and
! perhaps control him, l answered quietly and firm
| Iy, 'No, you are not 1t. was well was pre-
parcel. That moment heSprang upon me, anu the
| death struggle began. l gTappled with hun, ana
attempted to secure his right arm; while again
and again, as strained every nerve TO accomplish
| this purpose, did that accused blade glitter be-
| fore my eyes; for my antagonist was my superior
| in muscle and weight, and armed in addition with
| .deuno nj ctr n lnn1nPSS eXOTeS-
Sed in every liniament of his intamed and DIS
toIted countennnce. What sight was that not
super-humun face! Loudly and hoaISely called
for help; but we were rushing along, thirty miles
| in the hour, and my cries were drowned amid the
roars of wheels and steam. How horrible were
my sensational Cooped up thus, TO be mangled
| and murdered by mailman, with means OF res
cue within few feet OF me, and yet that help,
that communication with my fellows that would
have saved me, utterly una;tainable, as though
were in desert. quiyered. as turning aside
thrust after thrust dealt with exhausticsS and iTen
zed violence, doubted not that the next must
find its way to my heart, My strength was rap
idly failing; not so that of my murderer. lStTug-
gled desperately, alone the fear of such death
could enable man 10 do; and my hands gaSiied
and bleeding, at last wrenched the knife from his
hold, and flung it through the window. Then
| first seemed 10 breathe! But not yet was sale.
With redoubled rage he threw himself at my tnroat
crushing it as with lion fingers; and as felt his
whole frame heaVe and labor with the violence
OF the attack, for one dreadful moment gave all
up for lost. But surely, then, some unseen pow
er strengthened me. Half strangled, / flung the
whole weight OF my body upon him, got him down,
and planting my knee his breast, by main
strength held him, spite of his frantic efforts 10
wrthe himself from under me. My hands
bitten, and torn in his convulsive rage, but felt
it not-heeded it not-life was at stake. and hard
Il fought for it. The bitterness OF death was upon
me, and awfully clear and distinct, in that mortal
struggle were the past and the future; the human,
sinful past and the dread, unknown, avenging,
eternal future. How were the joys aud sorrows
of years compressed into that one backward
glance; and how utterly insignificant did they ap-
pear as the light of life seemed fading away from
them. Fearfully calm and collected was my mind
while my body felt as though dSSolving with the