Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-25
Badly Scared


PROPOSITION TO ADMINISTER GAS To A
CoLoHED MAN, FREE, BADLY sCARRs
HIM AND E1CiTEs MS BRETHREN.
Since the horrible butchery in Dover BY
West, the c0lored people OF that town
have been uneasy and rather fearful that
another iend was living 10 their midst
who was only waiting favorable oppor-
tunity to commit crime in magnitude rs
great as that perpetrstel by West. All their
old superstitions have been unearthed and
Cooch Turner's ghost, described as a most
ghastly.looking object, has from time to
time disturbed their dreams.
When stranger goes to Dover he is
closely watched, and the nature of his
mission, II possible, soon found out. Last
week, however, man arrived AZ the
Capital Hotel who would say nothing re-
gardiug his business, and whose face
could not be read. The colored help
around the hotel gave him a wide berth,
and concluded that he was a student In
quest of subjects, or had taken out lie
insurance policy, and proposed to try
Vests plan to enrich himself
A fire was ordered in room No. - one
evening, and Joshua, the eolored fireman
Of the house, was dispatched to de- the
work. lie obeyed, and went up stairs.
I lAAAt AuAuhluE kuhA tue luulh ne was
/ directed to enter was the one occupied by
the man who had created so much fear
among the eolored folk Of the town. As
soon rs be opened the door, however, he
recognized his man, and, shaking like an
aspen leaf, approached the stove and COM
menced the task he was directed to per-
| form.
| He observed every movement of the
| stranger aud did not forget for an instant
the direction of the door. The gentleman
had heard Of the suspicious his presence
had created among the colored people,
and thought he would have some fun. SO,
IN the most solemn manner he told
Joshua that his mission was in the inter-
ests Of science and he thought it the duty
Of every patriotic citizen to sacrifice his
life, If necessary, for the advancement OF
this branch Of knowledge. He had with
him a small quantity of recently discov-
cred gas, he said, and he would be a
thousand times Obliged TO Joshua If be
would inhale slight quantity, and thus
demonstrate It's powers. II it should
prove fatal he would guarantee him a
decent burial if II was found 10 be sue
cess he would share with him the tremen.
doua profits that were certain to accrue.
After the conclusion of his introduction
be drew from his vallse bottle Of whisky,
a cigar box, covered with paper, and an
India rubber tube. With these articles he
approached Joshua, who was upon hif
knees, almost paralyzed with fear lie
thought Of poor Couch Turner and hll
sad fate. and concluded his time had ar.
rived. With short plea to the throne
Of Grace for mercy, he was about to sub,
nit with Christian resignation to what
promised a sad death. But as the strang
or approached nearer, Joshua all al
once seemed possessed Of supernatural
strength aud determined TO strike for biz
liberty so, with a desperate effort, HI
rushed for the door, upset the stove acct
dentally, ard knocked the stranger
who had placed himself in a direct lin,
to the door, end over end Joshua gained
the stair, hosever, and In his hurry fell
down a flight. Both were injured, The
stranger more than Joshua, though.
1t Is almost useless to say hat room No
- has betn without fire for come days,
Notwithstanding the fact that Joshua has
time and again been assured that the
] whole thing was intended az joke.