The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-02-05
A COLD WATER GRE.


IHAvE no figure, and have lived I,
record the fact without any particula
feeling of humiliation. When natur,
first began to declare herself in favor o
rotundity indeed, I struggled against he
decision. rose early, and took violen
exercise on an empty stomach in fan
nels and Packet; stuck to diet o
boiled soles and dry toast with such per
tinacity that my evangelical friend,
groaned over me as probable pervert
But IL was all Of no avail my waist, lik,
murder, would out; protuberance would
not be stayed-well, yes, il must COMES.
IL, exterior compression ras attempted
So l gave up senseless wrestle with
destiny, breswore the patronage ofphoto-
graphers, and found consolation for
shapelessness in good living. All went
we'll till after the whitehall season OF
1869, when something far worse than a
mere @sthetical calamity befell me.
i have only one accomplishment i'm
munity from sea sickness, and a very
troublesome advantage 1t is. 1t would
never do, you see, to let solitary talent
lay quite idle, 30 feel it moral duty to
travel by water instead of by rail when
ever ! can, though the latter mode is
much more comfortable, convenient and
expeditions.
Late in the summer Of the year above
mentioned, then, l started for the Rhine.
The voyage was rough, and only one per-
son besides myself enjoyed his dinner, a
sympathetic coincidence which naturally
drew ms together
He was young man of affable man
ners, and ford taste in dress, whose oc-
cuPation, exact social position, and even
nationality, it was difficult to define.
Sometimes took him for commercial
traveller, then for clerk in a counting
house. and then for a man Of indie
pendent means, whose companions in
early life had been somewhat mixed.
His inquisitiveness was American, his
vulgarity British, his jewelry Teutonic.
Was he Dutchman, who had lived
great deal in England, or an Englishman
who had resided much in Holland?
Both languages seemed natural to him.
! tried to make him talk about himself
and found, after time, that he was
Practicing precisely similar experiment
upon me, only he was successful and
was not. What difference that makes
Ell?
Ihate curiosity, in other people, and
avoided his snares at first; but in the
evening. after we had glass of grog to-
gether with the skipper, and were smok-
ing and staggering up and down the see
saw Of deck, ! was certainly less eau
tious and more egotistical. Who but a
professional diplomatist can keep his
counsel in the dark Perhaps it don't
matter much when there is no reason for
concealment, but it seems stupid to tell
your name, residence and business to a
chance acquaintance, who does not in
SPire you with any particular admira-
ton. All the information received in
return consisted Of the uninteresting fact
that my companion never carried circu-
lar notes in his travels.
"Ican not see the use of them" said
he; bank notes are much more convent.
ent; one always gets the full value for
them, and they can be changed at any
hotel one is staying at"
" never use circular notes either" |
replied "but as sometimes visit quiet,
outofthe-way places, find English SOW
ereigns the most handy"
True" said he, "but the bulk and
weight are troublesome; | should not
like to carry courier's bag like that
over my shoulder"
" am accustomed 10 it, and do not
mind it,"
Seon we turned in. The cupboard in
which ] performed this nautical feat con
tanned four berths, three of which were
tenanted by uniortunates who had un.
dergone the EXTREMIST horrors of sea-
sickness, and were now happily sunk in
the lethargy of prostration. | removed
my boots, coat and neckcloth, rolled N.Y.
self up on my shelf, and fell asleep, little
that physical evil far worse
than sioutness was at that moment pre-
pairing for the attack.
l dreamed that was in forest ~
thick, 20 lofty, that the rays of the sun
could hardly penetrate, and perpetual
twilight reigned. There were no birds
squirrels, insects even; was the only
living creature, and the silence was aw.
lul To add To the horror, the ground
'wayed TO and fro IN waves Of earth |
quake, and expected il TO open every
moment under my feet; but there were
no rumblings, and the trees were not
'haken into rustling. The convulsions
we're as the noiseless spasms Of gal |
'anized corpse. Al length the appalling
'tillness was broken by a light, distant /
as of something moving amid .
Try leaves. Nearer and louder il came.
nd soon ] saw a gigantic serpent wind
ny toward me through the trees. There
Ias no beauty about the monster; it,
uggish folds were Shiny, toad-like It's
yes were cold, cruel, memorable as
eath IL darted forth no barbed tongue,
vt showed its poisoned fangs slowly and
ciously, as threatening dog does II
preached; its fetid breath stirred my
'ir, aud turned and fed. To no pur-
sc the thing gained aud gained upon
} iilI ID was within striking distance,
q then drew back its Hat head for the
~. la my despair ] sprang at AN
'rhansing branch, caught il, and |