The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-05-19


foes 1 might almost confess to have
broken into downright fright as 1
neared the TOWN, SO. extremely anxious
was TO escape the vicinity of every
shelterlng brusl,s tree, or hedge in the
neighborhood.
On gaining my hotel, began to re-
fleet OH my marrow escape. had
beentoo much excited to attach to it
the significance st demanded. But
the hole in my hat conveyed the most
shuddering information on my narrow
escape, Beyond all reas asoHables doubt,
my life within that hour. had only
been worth two paltry inches.
repeated the question to, myself,
"Who wants my life 2sTAnd if any
body wants il. What are his claims P
What have I done to merit assassina-
| ton ?'%
Being wholly unable to answer
these queries, 1 resolved to make a
comic dent Of my host, the hotel Keep
er. called him to my room and told
him what had happened. He'Yshrug-
ged his shoulders as he exclaimed:
MonsienrS like the rest OF man
kind, must pay the penalty of making
love-" - S~ss.sa.s~.~ ~SS , ; 80
p sBut, saidSI shocked at his sang
.froid, ~ have not made love. Since l
have been here, l am mlnotoonscious of
even having looked at a woman, much
less spoken to one.."G 81
"Then it is an enigma" he replied.
i" The only solutfen I can offer you is.
that you hays, been mistaken for some
one else"
Bon Dieu," L exclaimed. g You
have undoubtedly hit the mark.
have been mistaken-and l know for
whom. Have you not seen man in
this town bearing a striking resem-
blance to me?"
"No," was the answer 2efhal ]
b,o Swell, ,;my, FRIEND. 1 have. The mo-
ment saw him I felt uncomfortable.
1 had o presentiment of evil. You
will oblige me by letting me have
your bill. I shall go to Paris tonight.
If I stop here another day. my life,
which l left England to fortify, will
be snuffed out like candle"
The hotel keeper, seeing matters
come to point that affected his inter-
ests, endeavored to laugh down my
doubts. He argued. that the ball l
had received in my hat might have
been destined for a bird; that it was
the shot of some wretched marksman.
who might have mistaken my hat for
q crow.
That may all be very WE'LL" an
swered, "but suffer me to tell you
that your excuse only makes me more
resolute to leave the place; for OF
what value is mans life in district
abounding with sportsmen who can
mistake hat for crow? ?"
A train left for Paris at 2 :35. 1t
was an express, and found it to be
due at o'clock. 1 dispatched my
portmanteau by porter to the station,
and having twenty minutes before me
| sat down to a light repast of cold
fowl and Gin ofdind5re.s The position
of my table enabled me to get a view
of the street. AS the porter strobe
4away with my Aggage,YI observed a
man cross the road and accost him. In
reply to what was obviously a ques-
ton, the porter, with the gesticuIation
of Frenchman, pointed with his
thumb to the hotel, and vigorously
nodded his ,head. The man crossed
over again to the pavement, came on
until he was opposite the hotel, caught
sight of me through the window, and
abruptly turning on his heel, walked
off in the direction taken by the ppF-
ter.
thought nothing of this. The man.
1 conjectured, probably wanted the
job ! had given to the porter, He
was communicating fellow, dressed
in leather CATERS, a blouse, a slouched
Eeap and belt. There was nothing
singular in his face, lie was dark
with black beard and moustache.-==
He was familiar type of the middle
aged peasant of southern France.
Having discharged my bill, II walked
to the railway station. On one plat
form there was much tumult, traiI
from Paris having just arrived. Blu
upon the platform against which stood
the train which was to bear me to th'
north, i counted only five people, ex
elusive of porters.
But | had little time for observa
ton. The train would leave in threl
minutes. 1 saw my portmantea'
slowed away in the luggage van,S pro
! cured myselfsiaaa first=class ticket ant
took my seat, q ri ..'= i'gz t7' ~ -''S
, The shrill whistle of the guart
: sounded. The engine gave snort
and the line of carriages clanked t.
their chains as they tightened<to tn
strain. Suddenly severalyoiees cried
, "Stop! stop! Now, then, quick :
: Which class-first? Let's see you
: ticket. Right, Here you are-jum
I'M" The door Of my carriages wa
l opened, form bounded in, the'doo
was slammed, there was another shri
G whistle, and off went the train.
Hooked at my companion: He wa
l the man whom I had noticed speak, t
] the porter and stare into the wintlol
of my hotel.
i 4 thrill passed over me. My II
f cent escape had greatly shaken m
nervous system, and the apparition
: man whom 1 felt ought to suspec
: sentfa chill through my blood AS
I | ,r,h;ol, ho NOT