Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-11-12
The Maniac Doc.or-An Exciting s.ory.

L must be confessed that it is very provoking thing
to receive letter calling you two hundred mes away
on immediate aud important business" Yes, it is q
very provoking thing, findeeoat least, found it,
both ia anticipation and in very deed but there
no help for it, Snooks, my lawyer wrote and tod NE
that it, on the 26th, was not at O.. should prob
ably ose-never mind what but something that indu-
ced me to pack my portmaneau in all haste send for
handsom, and drive to the Z. Y, T. Station. When I
arrived there, found was too late for the train had
wished CATCH and that the next did not start for
three quarters OF an hour. Inwardly cursing my III
fortune, went to the waiting room, and endeavored 10
make myself comfortable could but despite all
my attempts, / think l never knew time to pasS so
slowly ir all my life, except certain twenty minutes
about which am going to tell.
Although as said, time went very slowly, neverthe
Ess it did go and, in process of time, found myself
snuQly enecOnced in G FIRST ca9s carriage which had
but one occupant besides myself cheerful looking lit
tie old man. with gray hair and a strange restess look
about the eyes Directly got into tie carriage he ad
dressed me in q familiar way
"a merry time to you"
"The same to you" said I, rather gruffs, as | was
not the best of humcr and did not feel inclined to be
cheerful and neighborly.
"Why bless me- SIR" said the little old man, renew
ing the attack "you have n1t anything wherewih 10
keep yourself warm on this cold winters day allow
me to offer you one OF my travelling wrappers | always
take to be we'll provided with such things when
go upon a journey" And my companion took from his
side rolled up rug, unroed it, and taking a small
"Tbank you, SIR" said l. feeling in spite Of myself
shade more cheerful.
HOh 70 thanks, no thanks ; | do it for my own beDe
fit, not yours, assure you
How do you make out that p
"Why, like to have comfortable face opposite NE;
and, besides, the grand experiment, you know"
'What grand experiment I" | said, somewhat start
led by the mans excited manner.
Oh nothing, nothing said he, coorng violently,
"only-that is to say-exactIy are you Freema-
SOM"
"No, sir"
"Not Freemason' Why, bless me! you ought
most certainly to become one"
"Why sol"
Because you would then know that they have got
sort ot-that is to say-in fact a secret
Il know that already"
Really declare you are the most extraordinary
man ever met. WE'LL I've got secret, too and that's
my great experiment"
GAS it is secret suppose you will not tell me what
ithG"
30 yes I will, though, but-but perhaps had better
not never mind I'll tel you it is simply this, to dis
what are the different fssrgs OF different persons
on different occasions"
81 should hardly call that an experiment"
Wouldn It you now Curious, that yes very Gu
rious for to tell you the truth, don't myself know
whether am justified in calling it an experiment But
enough of that matter for tie present. May ask
where Ss you are goine to p
aHaye you any friends there 2"
"None, Am sarry to say. am called thare on some
disagreeabe though important business"
"Then may have the pleasure Of your company to
dinner when you arrive there ?"
"rhank you I shall have the greatest pleasure in
accepting your kind invitation
"By the by, do you know how many times we stop
before we reach Co."
"Only twice, this is an express train. Once at
NJ, at 2 O'Clock, and second at F., at
o'clock"
"And when are we due at CO."
AT half past 6, believe"
aThank you"
Tins for a time, our conversation ended but We Of
ten renewed it again. and began to regard my com.
panion a. slevsr, kndhsarted, though rather accen
tric old man.
Sometime after we had passed M my eccentric !
friend composed himself for Sleep and was soon snor
ing, and it not long before followed his example
My dreams wers troubled. First of all, dreamed |
was hung then that was being hand-cufed and,
last of ALL that great weight was upon me- and that
something was pre- sing heavily upon my chest then
woke, with start to find myself bound hand and foot
with rope passed round my neck and fastened to the
umbrella rack behind in such manner that if strug-
gsd 10 the least should inevitably choke myself and
my felloWtraveer standing over me- with one knee
% my chest.
What are you doing" said / but nv sentence was
sut short by gag which my eccentric friend thrust
INTO my mouth and tied behind nv head. He then
tood away to look at his handivork, with eyes glazing