Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1866-05-05
THE MANIAC DOCTOR.
i #a- H.t -- g.:
ADVENTURE IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.

1t must be confessed that it is very
provoking thing to receive letter on
Christmas morning, calling you two hun
dred miles away, on immediate and i'm
portans bnsiness.' Yes, it is a very pro-
voking thing, indeed--as least, so found
it, both in anticipation aud in very deed !;
but there was no help for it. Snooks, my
lawyer, wrote and told me that If, on the
25th, was not at G., should pro-
baby loeso-never mind what, but some
thing which induced me to pack my port
manteau in all haste, send for bansom,
aud drive to the X Y. Z. station. When
| arrived there, I found that I was just
too late for tho train | had come to catch,
and that the next one did not start for
three quarters Of an hour. Inwardly cur
sing my i'll fortune, i went to the waiting
room, and cndeavored to make myself as
comfortable as could. But, despite all
my attempts, l think I never knew time
to pass so slowly in all my life, except a
certain twenty minutes about which am
going to tell.
Although, as saie, the time went very
slowly. nevertheless, it did 60; and in
process of time, ! found myself snugly
enscor ced in a first-class carriage, which
had but one occupant besides myself; a
cheerful-looking little old man, with gray
hair, and a strange, restless laugh about
the eyes. Directly as got into the ear.
riage, he addressed me familiarity
"a merry Christmas to you'll"
THE same to you, said |, rather gruf.
fly, as I was not in the beat Of humors,
and did not feel inclined to be cheerful
or neishboriy.
"Whr. bless me, sir r. said the little old
man. renewing the attack, "you haven't
anything wherewi.h to keep yourself
warm on this cold winters day allow me
to offer you one Of my travelling wrap
pers l always take caro- to be well pro-
vided with such things, when 90 on
journey.
Saying this, my companion took from
his side a rolled-up rug, unroIled il aud
taking small mahogany box from the
folds, threw the rug to me-
"Ihank you, sir.' said I, feeling, in
spite of myself, a shade more cheerful.
"Oh, no thanks-no thanks; l do it fer
my own benefit, not for you're, assure
YOU"
"How do you make out that7'
"Why, like to have a comfortable
face opposite me; and, besides, the grand
experiment, you know
What grand experiment l said,
somewhat startled by the mans excited
manner.
"Oh, nothing, nothing" said he. color.
ing violently; ''on'y, that is to cay
exactly; are you Fsesmason p
mo, sir"
mot a, Freemason7 Why, bless me |!
you ought most certainly to become one
"Why so2'
Because, you would then know that
they've got sort of-that is to say-in
fact, . secret
II know that, already"
Really? declare, you are the most
extraordinary man l have ever met
Well, I've got q sscret, too, and that's my
grand experiment"
"As it's secret, suppose you viii, not
tell me what i. is"
"Oh, yes, l will, though, perhaps
l had better not; never mind, III tell
you; it is simply this to discover what
are tho dilferen. feelings of different per.
sens on different occasions
II should hardly call that an expert:
ment" ".
"Wouldnt you, now? Curious, that /;
yes, very curious; for, to. tell you the
truth, don't myself know whether l am
quite justified in calling it an experiment.
But enough Of that matter for the pres
ent. May l ask where you are going 10 ?"
ITO c."
"Hase you friends there p
"None, am sorry to say. Il am called
there on some disagreeable, though im-.
portant business" -....-....
Then. may | have the pleasure Of
your company to dinner, when We arrive
there 2"
Thank you; shall haze the creates.
pleasure in accepting your kind invita-
ton" .#sa.4.s=@ 4#a s-...> -
"By the-by, do. you know how many
times we stop before we reach C--?'
"only twice, as this is an express
train once At A., It 2 O'Clock, aud