The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-03-18
MORNING, MARCH 1S, 1870. =

felt OF the point, all the while talking in
the most commonplace manner iniagina-
bic. ~ a.. ~. -, -.l. ,-,r
81 have studied tho art of guessing, for
years. said he. II can guess anything;
that Is my guessing chair that you are sit
ting 10 now; and / take great pleasure
In imparting my knowledge to othcrs.
This Is what want of you tonight. ]
did intend to make you guess that, but !
have thought of something better"
He had become satisfied with tho edge
and point of his knife, and was pacing up
and down the room, giving mo full his
tory Of the world, interspersed with facts
relative to the art of guessing, at which
times he always stopped in front of me.
Ibid You ever study 1t. Doctor3
know you haven't. ,. l am the only one
that ever reduced it to q science. Since ]
left my noble veterans. Ihave devoted my
whole time to IL; and now ! am about to
initiate you into its mysteries, II you are
worthy" h'
He was standing before mo so very
calm, that I did not think he intended to
harm me, but when I looked into his
eyes, burning with the fire Of insanity,
felt that my. situation was desperate in
deed. rrr @
II must test you," ho said. 81 must
see whether you are naturally gifled OF
not, before waste much timo with you
If remove the handkerchief, will you
answer my questions ?" ~.
nodded an affirmative, and he remov.
cd 1t. ......... .....
"Now, my dear doctor, You arc an en-
tire stranger to me. Without doubt you
have often heard of me, but it will be q
hard task to distinguish my name from al
other great men of the time. You may
guess It, doctor, what is 1t ?" r..s r.'' .
He had brought his face 50 near to mine
that could feel his hot breath, and fan
oied that could feel the heat in those ter
,rible eyes. The long. keen blade he wa
holding over me-for what ? To take my
life II failed. 80.
"Guess! guess !" he screamed. "I
You fail, 1t will bc your. last guess in thi'
world"
dared not cry out; tho knife was too
near; could not escape, for the strong
cords bound mo to that chair I could no
lift, and / could lie there, and lose m,
lifo. What could I do ?" v'r-Ers- y5ag
."It Is hard guess, and I willgivo yor
three minutes to answer'it," he said.
- I summoned all my courage, which hat
neycr yet h.iled nie--even In tho awfn
hour of battlo-and looking him steadil!
in the eye, said %. D. 'a
al know you, sir; so where Is the us'
Of guossing' I have seen You on th'
battlefield marshalling your hosts t.
victory. I have seen you cut down {
score of men with your own single arm
I have seen you put to flight whole bat
tallion. I know you-eyerybody know.
you. Your namc is in my mouth"
remembered what he had said about
leaving his veterans, and had tried thi:
harangue to divert his attention. l paused
TO mark the effect. a f arL 7sr1..
Eyes yes, doctor but what Is it?" hi
exclaimed again. Thirty sccondsw .r.
Great. God! What would I not have
given for clue to that madman's fancy
Thirty seconds, and how short second
Is! The knife was raised higher, that Il
might gain momentum by tho distance
His body was braced for the stroke, and
:. his eye upon the mark. n. 60.
Ten seconds more What Is II ?"
There was only one hope for me. ant
that was to guess. ] felt that he consid
cred himself somo great man--as he had
spoken Of veterans, some great military
chicnain. / thought of our own heroes
and tho names of many Of thcm wore
upon my lips, but I dared not utter thcni
1t was the greatest chance game that
had ever played-my life depended or
the guessing Of name. ] thought Of al
the European generals, but cast then
aside again and came hack to our owr
side Of tho water. Il..l'..s' 49, ~ ..''a Z.
1.-TWO seconds !" scrcechcl the lunatic
Without thought, almost without vo
lition, I spoke name, breathing y prayer
that it might be the right one: q,
"Napolcon Bonapartc" ss'a -..l -
fright I" said the madman, throwing
aside his knife, and undoing tho cord!
that held mo. 81 was mistaken In you
doctor. You have true genius; this Is
your first lesson; come ut this hour
every evening and will teach you the
beautiful art-thc wayto immortal fame '
As I rose from the chair, weak and
trembling, the door opened softly and
four strong men entcred and secured the
maniac. started for home well pleased
that I had got through with my frs,
guessing lesson. and fervently hoping
that should never be called upon to take
another. --f -d 1-frssi ss1zlg1 1ip
DEMOCRACY rNrrs CLOSER HoME.-Tbe