The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-21
An Adventure In u Railway Car
riage.

After had taken my seat one morning, at
Paddington, in an empty Carriage, ! was
Joined, Just as the train was moving oil, by
a strange looking young man, with rcmarka-
bly, long flowing hair. He was, Of course a
little hunicd but he seemed besides to be
80 disturbed and wild, that | was quite
alarmed for fear Of his not being right in his
mind nor did his subsequent conduct at oil
rcassure me. Our train was an express,
and he inquired eagerly, at once. which was
the first station whereat We were to stop. !
consulted my Bradshaio, and furnished
him with the required information. 1t was
Reading. The young man looked at his
watch. "Aladaln," said he, 81 have but half.
an-hour between me and, 1t may be, ruin.
Excuse, therefore, my abruptness. You
have, ! perceive, u pair Of scissors in your
workbag. Oblige me, il you please. by cut
ting of all my hair" "Sir," said ], "it is
impossible" "Aladam," he urged, and a
look of severe determination crossed his
features, III am q desperate man. Beware
how you refuse me what | ask. Cut my
hair oif-short, close to the roots-immedi-
ately; and here is a newspaper to hold the
ambrosial curls."
thought he was mad, Of course and
believing that It would be dangerous to
thwart him, cut of his hair to the last lock.
"Now, Madam" said he, unlocking a small
portmanteau, "you will further obligc me
BY looking out of the window, as ] am about
to change my clothes" OF course ! look
ed out of window for very considerable
time, and when he observed, "Madam,
need no longer to put you to any inconven-
ience," I did not recognize the young man
in the least. Instead Of his former rather
gay costume, he was attired in black, and
wore gray wig and silver spectacles. He
looked like a respectable divine OF the
Church Of England, Of about 64 years ofage.
To complete that character, he held a VOL
une of sermons in his hand, which-they
appeared to absorb him-micht have been
his own. "I do not wish to threaten you,
young lady" he resumed, sand think, be-
sides, that can trust your kind face. Will
YOU promise me not to reveal this meta.
morphosis until your journeys end ?" VI
will" said ], "nost certainly"
At Reading the guard and a person IN
plain clothes looked into our CARRIAGE
aYou have the ticket, my love-" said the
young man, blandly, and looking at me az
though he were my father. "Never mind
sir; we don't want thein," said the official
as he Withdrew his companion. III shall
now leave you, Madam" observed my fel.
low.traveler, as soon as the coast was clear
"by your kind and courageous conduct you
have saved my life, and perhaps your own
In another minute he was gone and the
train was in motion. Not until the nexl
morning did I learn from the Times news
paper that the gentleman on whom | hat
operated as haircutter, had committed q
forgery to an enormous amount in Londor
a few hours before | met him, and that he
had been tracked into an express train from
Paddington, but ihat-although the tele
graph had been put in motion and described
him accurately-at Reading, when the trait
was searched, he WIS nowhere to be found
-Household Words.