The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-04-17
ARAILwAY INCIDENT.

While recently passing, says writer in
Household Words from Exeter to London
on the Great Western Railway, found the
carriage l had selected for the trip occupied
by very interesting young lady and two
rather laxative gentlemen. Of course, we
became rapidly sociable. From generalities
We came down to personalities, and amused
each other with variety Of incidents con-
nected with our own experiences in railway
travelling, many of which you may readily
imagine, were singular enough. None how
ever, more 50 than the following, naively
related by the young lady:
"Although l am often compelled to trav-
cl without q companion, yet have such a
dislike to the company Of babies and sick
folks, that never make journey in the
ladies' carriage. Only once, however, have
suffered my Inconvenience through my
unprotected condition, and that exception
occurred very lately and upon this very line.
After had taken my seat one norm, at
Paddington, in an empty carriage, was
joined, just as the train was moving of, by
strange looking young man, with re-
markable long flowing hair. He was of
course, little Aurried, but he seemed be-
side so disturbed and wild, that was quite
alarmed for fear he was not in his right
mind, nor did his subsequent conduct re-as-
sure me. Our train was an express, and
he inquired eagerly, at once, which was the
first station whereat We were advertised to
stop. | consulted my Bradshaw, and fur
nished him with the required information.
1t was Reading. The young man looked at
his watch.
ssMadam,' said he 81 have but half an
hour between me and, it may be, ruin. Ex-
cuse, therefore, my abruptness. You have,
perceive, pair Of scissors in your work.
bag. Obligc me, if you please, BY cutting
of all my hair"
s'Impossible :" said l /; cit is impossible.n
'sMadam," he urged, and look of severe
determination crossed his features, 81 am
desperate man. Beware how you refuse
what ask. Cut my hair of short-close to
the roots--immediately ; and here is news.
paper, to hold the ambrosial curls.''
thought he was mad of course; and,
believing that it would be dangerous to
thwart him, I cut of his hair to the last
lock.
ssNow madam" said he, unlocking q small
portmanteau, you will further oblige me by
looking out Of the window, as am about
to change my Clothes"
OF course looked out of the window, for
. considerable time; and when he observed,
"Madam, need no longer put you to any
inconvenience" did not recognize the
young man in the least.
Instead Of his former rather gay costume,
he vas attired in black, and wore a gray
wig and silver spectacles; he looked like q
respectable divine of the church Of England
of about sixty-four years of age. To COM
plete that character, he held volume of
sermons in his hand, which-they appeared
% to absorb him-inight have been bis own.
81 do not wish to threaten you, young Ia
dy," he resumed, ssand think, besides, that
lean trust your kind face. Will you prom
iss me not to reveal this mstamorphosis un-
til your journeys end 20
81 will," said I, asmost certainly"
At Reading, tho guard and person in
PLAIN clothes looked into our carriage.
s<You have the ticket, my love,o said the
young man, blandly, and looking ut me as
though he were my father.
"Never mind, sir; we don't want them,''
said the Official, Is he withdrew his COM
panion.
~ shall now leave you, madam observ-
Cd my fellow traveller, a. soon As the coast
was clear "by your kind and generous con-
duct yoa have saved my life, and perhaps
even your own."
70 another minute be was gone, and the
tram was IN motion. Not till the next morn.
ng did learn from the Tsmes newspaner
that the gentleman on whom had onsr,tsd
= nalr cutter, had Committed forgery to nm
ssosnoas smoant, in London, few hours
before met him, and that he had hssn
tracked into the express train from PsS-
ss, ns; ou. thas-:lthoush the telegraph
nsd oee1 put in motion and described hin
scculatsi y-at Reading, where the train wa.
searched, no WAS nowhere to be fonc.a