Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-06-16

looked at woman, much lehs spoken 70
one.
'Then it is an enigma" he replied. r.
The only solution that | can offer you IS
you have been mistaken for some one
else"
Mon DieR" l replied. you have
undoubtedly hit the mark / have been
mistaken, and know for whom. Have
YOU not seen a man IN this town who bears
striking resemblance to me?'
NO" was the answer.
We'll my friend, ! have The moment
I saw him I felt uncomfortable. 1t was a
presentiment of evil. Obligs me by letting
me have your bill shall 60 to Paris to-
night. If stop here another day, my life,
which left England to tortify, will be snuff
fed out like a candle.
The hotel.keeper, seeing matters come
to q point that affected his interest, endea-
yored to laugh down my doubts.
He argued that the ball in my hat might
have been destined for bird that it was
the shot of some wretched marksman, who
might have mistaken my hat for a crow.
THAT may be all very well, answered,
"but suffer me to tell you that your excuse
only makes me more resolute to leave the
place for Of what value is a mans life in
a district which abounds with sportsmen
who can mistake hat for a crow
A train left for Paris at 2;25. 1t was an
express. and found it to be due at eight
O'Clock, dispatched my portmanteau by
porter to the station, aud having twenty
minutes before me, sat down to a light re-
past of cold fowl and yin 0rdindire, The
position of my table enabled me to get
view of the street. AS the porter strobe
away with my luggage | observed man
cross the road and accost him. In reply
to what was obviously question the por-
ter, with the gesticulatlon of Frenchman,
pointed with his thumb to the hotel and
vigorously nodded his head
The man crossed over again to the pave
ment, came on until 10 was opposite the
hotel, caught sight of Inc through the win
dow, and abruptly turning on his heel,
walked on in the direction taken by the
porter
Having discharged my bill, I walk
ed to the railway station. On one platform
there was much tumult, train from Paris
having just arrived. But upon the plat
form against which stood the train which
was to bear me to the North, counted
only five people, exclusive of porters.
The shrill whistle of the guard sounded.
The engine gave snort and the line of
carriages clanked to their chains as they
frightened to the train
Suddenly several voices cried, "Stopl
stop! Now then, quick Which class -
first? Let's see your ticket Right. Here
you are-jump I'M
The door of my carriage was opened, a
form bounded in, the door, was slammed,
there was another shrill whistle and off
went the train. | looked at my compan-
ion. He was the man that had noticed
speak to the porter and stare into the win
dow of my hotel
A thrill passed over me- Ny recent es-
cape had greatly shaken my nervous sys-
tenn, and the apparition OF man whom
felt | ought 20 suspect sent thrill through
my blood. AS a peasant, which he was
mot expressed only in his dress but Ia
hands, which were dirty, rough and horu-
| ey-what did LIE do in tirst-class carriage?
! would have given something to have
changed carriages. But there was no com .
train, as have told you, was an express,
and did not stop unit, a run Of sixty-siX
miles had been accomplished, and we were
now bowling along with great rapidity,
began after time to regain my COM
posture. | struggled to laugh down my
fears What, | thought had | to fear from
o man ! had never s9en-who had never
seen me? The thing was preposterous,
extracted II paper from my pocket and COM
menced to read.
Half an hour passed away. All at cnce,
over the edge OF my newspaper, | saw him
put his hand ont the window as if to open
the door. | had not time to conjecture his
intention when, with wild, screaming
whistle we were hurled into the night OF a
! long tunnel
The rapid disappearance of the Daylight
made the oil lamp suspended in the car
riage emit but the dullest light for some
minutes
laid the newspaper down, with, all my
old fears revived in me. | had scarcely
done 50 when saw the outline OF man
rise in the carriage. He leapt over to where
| was seated, ! saw the CLEAN of knife
| in the air
Mad with passion and surprise, / grasped
the descending arm, \ furious determine
! ton to save my life inspired me with the
strength ota giant.
The ferocity with which / seized his
wrist forced the hand open. The knife
/ fell; and then commenced a silent, furious
struggle.
He seized me ty the collar. and chung
with the tenacity Of s tiger heard his
Swapping teeth, as if he was endeavoring to
bite, We swayed from one side of the car
iiugo to the other. felt how weak ILL
health bad left me, and prayed to pass out
into Inc light, that might the better see
how to encounter the rutian.
Suddenly | felt myself swung round
with tremendous energy. | bounded
against door, which opened, and we both
teh out on to the lines in the very central
of the tunnel
The fall seemed to have stunned him, for
he fell under me and remained Tor time
motionless.
For myself, received an indescribable
shock, such as Inexperienced in a collision;
] hF,F | ....l,, / a