Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1870-11-16
Stlstt yStorp.
A GUESS FOR LIFE.

WHEN my regimen. was mustered out
Of service. bade adieu to my old COM
rades, and to the army. and opened an
Office in the flourishing town Of L--.
As l was starting for the surper-table
on the evening of the third day after my
arrival. the office bell was rnny violently
and soon the boy came,in and said that
man wanted TO see the doctor. "
The visitor was standing by the fire
when l entereH Hewas tall. powerful
mana perfect Jginnt compared to my
five foot.six land his great head and
bushv black hair wers well-ittedi to the
monstrous form. ,5iT1a7 Isisrsa I'd sii
..If you are at liberty, doctor; please
come with me 1t is but few steps, and
you will not need our carriage .72irtE-
put on my coat aud hat, and followed
him. 1t was my first call in L--------
and fondly hoped it was the forerunner
of many others. ss Z as .sa.ar ii .s.f
The man strode off pace ahead of me
all the way, notwithstanding my. endea-
vors to keep at his side. and he spoke not
word, not even answering my ques.
tons.
Stopping before substantial looking
residence on one of the principal streets.
he applied the .ch-key, and led me into
pleasant little room on the second floor
"a study, ! thought it), hung about with
good paintings and elegant chromos, and
lined with books cf every name.
Take seat. doctor viii step out
moment. Fake this chair by the fire
it is bitter cold night a
The chair was great unwieldly thing
but exceedingly comfortable. l threw
my feet upon the fender and leaned back
on the cushion, very well satisfied to
warm little before seeing the patient.
heard The man approach the door,
which was directly back of where sat.
aud heard the d"or open and close again.
| supposed he hai sone out. but did not
look around to see Indeed. | had no
time. for a stou. cord WAS thrown over
my wrists and across my breast. and a
handkerchief bonnd over my mouth, so
quickly that could make no move to
prevent it.
When was perfectly secured my con-
ductor stepped III front of me and booked
with much interest at my vain attempts
to free myself
Good stout cord, isn't it 2 he asked.
1T has never broken, and many stouter
man than You has tried it,. There, now.
be quiet awhile, and l will tell you what
| want ..l sind ~. -u.t...--z4 nj
lie went to q cabinet that stood in one
corner of the room, and taking. long,
wicked-looking kpife from one of the
drawers, ran his thumb over the, edge,
and felt of the point, all the while talk
ing in the most commonplace manner i'm
aginable.
Il have studied the art of guessing for
years." said he. Il can guess anything;
that is my guessing chair that you are
sitting in now, and take great pleasure
in imparting my knowledge to others
This is what want of You to night I
did intend to make you guess that, but l
have thought Of something BETTER '''''
He had become satisfied with the edge
and point Of the knife, and was pacing
up and down the room, giving me full
history of the world, interspersed with
facts relative to the art of guessing, at
which times he always stopped in front
did you ever study it, doctorl l
know you haven't. i am the only one
that ever.rsddced it to science. Siuce
! left my noble veterans, have devoted
NY whole time to it; aud now | am
about to initiate you into its mysteries. if
you are worthy. ,,,- ..-,- .f.. v.l,
He was standing before me so very
calm, that | did not really think that be
intended to harm me, but when l looked
into his eyes, burning with the fire, of
insanity, l felt that my situation was
desperate indeed. III ..-.-.
II must test you" said he II must
know whether your naturally gifted or not
before waste much time with you. If
l remove the handkerchief, will you an
swer my questions ?" , t..
IL nodded an affirmative, and heremoved
it,, l.a v,t 80 .43Glos haa boo.
Nov. my dear doctor. you are an en-
tire stranger to me. Without doubt, You
have often heard Of me. butis will be a
hard task to distinguish my name from