Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-22
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING. MARCH 90, 1855
AN ADVENTURE IN A RAlL" AL
CARRIAGE.

After l had taken my seat che morning. az
Psddington in an empty carriage l was
Joined, Just as the train was moving on by
a strengthening young man. with remarka'
b)v flowing hair. lie was. of course, a little
hurried, but he seemed besides to be so dis-
turbed and wild. that l was quite alarmed
for fear Of his not being right in his mind,
nor did bis subsequent conduct at all reas-
sure me. Our train was al express, and he
epquired eagerly, at once, which was the
fret station whereat we we're advertised to
stop. l consulted my Bra shaw. and l full
nished him With the desired ntormation.-
1t was Reading. The young man looked at
his watch. MADAM" said be, Il have but
half.an-hour between me, and, 1t may be,
ruin. Excuse, therefore. my abruptness =
You have. / perceive, a pair OF SCISSORS IN
your work-bsg. Oblige me. II you please by
cutting of all my hair" Sir" said l., ut
is impossible" MADAM" be urged, and a
look of severe determination crossed bis TEA
lures, 81 am a desperate man. Beware how
you refuse me what | ask. Cut my hair
short of-shOrt, close to the roots-immedi-
ately; aud here is a newspaper to hold the
ambrosial ~curls." ] thought he uas mad, of
course, and believed that it would be danger.
Gus to thwart him. l cut of all bis hair to
the last lock. "Now Madam" said be, IN
locking a small portmanteau, you will fur
ther oblige me by looking out Of the window,
as l am about to change ny clothes" o.
course | looked out Of the window, for a very
considerable time, and when he observed,
MADAM. l need no longer put you to any in
convenience" / did not recognise the young
man in the least.
Instead of his former gay costume. he was
attired 10 black, and wore a grey Wig and
silver spectacles; he looked like a respectable
divine of the Church of Englaud, of about
81 years of age; to complete that character
he held a volume of sermons in bis hand.
which, they appeared so to absorb him
might have been his own. 81 do not wish to
threaten you. young lady" he resumed, land
think. besides, that | can trust your kind
face. Will you promise me not to reveal
this metamorphosis until your JOURNEYS
end?" II WILL" said |, "most certainly
At Reading the guard and q person 10 plain
clothes looked into our carriage. "1ou
have the ticket, my love-" said the young
man, blandly, and looking at me as though he
we're my father. Never mind, Sir, we don''
want t6em," said the official, as be with
drew bis companion. Il shall now leave
you, Madam" observed my fellow traveller,
as soon as the coast was clear; "by your kind
and courageous conduct you have saved my
lite, and perhaps even your own" In anoth'
er minute he was gone. aud the train was in
motion. Not till the next morning did ]
learn from the Times Newspaper. that the
gentleman on whom l had operated as hair
cutter, had committed a forgery to an enor'
NOUS amount 10 London a lew hours before
l met him, and had been tracked ioto 40 ex
press train from Paddington, but that--al
though the telegraph had been put in motion
and described bin accurately-at Reading
when the train was searched. he was NO.
where to be found.-Household Words.