Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-05-30

history of the world, interspersed with
facts relative to the art of guessing, a,
which times he always stopped in front
of me.
did You ever study it, doctor?" he
asked. Il know you haven't l AN the
| only one that ever reduced it to science.
Since l left my noble veterans have dc
| voted my whole time to it; and now am
about to initiate you into its mysteries,
if you are worthy
He was standing before me so very
calm. that did not thiak he intended
| to harm me; but when [ looked into his
eyes, burning with the fire of insanity,
felt that my situation was desperate in.
| deed.
81 must test you." he said. II tnus'
know whether you are naturally gifted OF
not, before waste much time with YOU.
If l remove the handkerchief will you
answered my questions?'
nodded an affirmative, and he rcmoy-
ed it
"Now, my dear doctor, you are an en-.
tire stranger to me. Withou debut YOU
have often heard of me, but it will be a
hard task to distinguish my name from
all other great men of the time. You
may guess it, doctor. What is it?''
He had brought his face so near to
mine that [ could feel his hot breath, and
| fancied could feel the heat in those
terrible eyes. The long, keen blade he
was holding over me-far what To
take my life If failed
"Guess! Guess !" be screamed. "If
you fail, it will be your last guess in this
world"
dared not cry out-the Knife was too
near. could not escape, for the strong
cords bound me to that chair I could not
lift and | could lie there and lose my
life What could | do
ut is hard guess" he said and I will
give you three minutes to answer it.
| summoned all my courage, which
had never yet failed me. even in awful
hour of battle, and looking him steadily
in the eye, said =: Il know you, sir; so
where is the use Of guessing ? I have
seen you on the battle field, marsha ling
your men to victory [ have seen you cut
down score Of men with your own
single arm. I have seen you put to
flight whole battalion. I know you
everybody knows you; your name is in
my mouth.
| remembered what he had said about
leading his veterans, and had tried this
haraugue to divert his attention. l paus-
ed to mark the effect.
eyes, yes, doctor. But what is it 2"
he exclaimed again. Thirty seconds p
Great Heavens What would I not
have given for clue to that madman's
faneY! Thirty seconds, and how short
second is. The knife was raised higher,
that 1t might gain momentum by the lis
lance. His body was braced for the
stroke, and his eye upon the mark.
Ten seconds more he cried. What
is it?.
There was only one hope for me, and
that was to guess. felt that he con-
sidered himself some great man-as he
had spoken Of veterans-some great
military cbieftain. thought of our own
heroes, and the names of many of them
were upon my lips, but dared not utter
them. 1t was the greatest chance game
that [ had ever played--ny life depend
ed on the guessing ola name. thought
of all the European generals, but cast
them aside again, and came back to our
own side of the water.
1.-TWO seconds p screeched the lunatic.
Without thought, almost without a
volition. spoke name, breathing a
prayer that it might be The right one:-
"Napoleon Bonaparte..'
"Right!' said the mailman, throwing
aside his knife and uudoiug the cords
that held me- II was mistaken in you
doctor. You have true genius; this is
your first lesson; come at this hour every
evening and | will teach you the beau
tiful art-the way to immortal fame
AS arose from the chair. weak and
trembling, the door opened softly and
four strong men entered and secured the
maniac. started for home, we'll pleas
ed that had got through with my first
guessing lesson, and fervently hoping
that I should never be called upon to
take anothar