Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-06-16


cit may be dat it was fristion," he
explained to the crowd, "and it may
be dat suthin' blode up and bust it's
biler, but de sensible opinion is dat
de kerosene can billed over and raised
all dis ycarthly row."
WELCOME TO DEATH.
No More Watching in the Little
Cabin.
From the Detroit Free Press.
The other night, when the rain fell
steadily and the winds moaning ad-
ded terror to the darkness, mad
man was being watched in one of
the little cottages within stones
throw of the big hotel at the Michi-
gan Central Junction. A foreigner
and day laborer, hard work and
grieving over the loss of a child, had
broken him down. There were but
few around him who spoke his Ian
guage, and busy with their own
weary cares they did not tender
those kind words and that consola-
ton which might have aided him to
fight and conquer the malady creep
ing upon him. In hopes that it was
only temporary attack. or not fully
realizing his insanity, his few ac-
quaintances took turns watching
within his lone little home. They
could do no more than watch, and
the watch was not well kept. The
music of the raindrops on the roof
lulled the watcher to sleep the other
night. The madman was in bed and
apparently sound asleep. The fire
had gone out, the light was dim, and
the Watchers eyes closed in sleep,
even while he listened to the hoarse
breathing of the passing locomotives
and the rumbling Of the trains
When his heavy breathing gave the
signal the madman raised himself on
his elbow and surveyed the watcher.
There was wild cunning look in
his eyes, and mouse could not have
moved more softly as he threw back
the clothes and left the bed. A mo-
ment later, bareheaded, baretooted,
and with neither coat or vest on, he
crept across the floor to the door,
He was after his freedom. AS his
eyes rested on the sleeping man the
light of murder flashed into them
How easy to creep softly up and Sc
cure a death-grip on the slceper's
throat!
But the wilderness Of the night
was greater temptation. The moan
of the wind was a voice whispering
to the madman, and he longed to
feel the dash of rain against his
fevered face. He softly opened the
door and passed out Exulted over
his success, he could not suppress a
wild shout, and that shout opened
the Watchers eyes and made his
heart leap into his throat. He was
alone in the cabin, and the rain was
driving in through the open door,
Rushing out he caught glimpse of
a white figure stealing away, and he
pursued. 1t was long past midnight.
There was no time to summon help.
Freight trains were coming and go
ing, and the deep groans of the bur
dened engines were hoarse warnings
to lose no time in overtaking the
madman.
Through the brickyards-along the
banks of the deep wide ponds
around great woodplles-across the
net work Of slippery iron rails-and
yet the white figure, whose eyes blaz-
cd with madness, was ever ahead
though often hating and turning to
hurl back fierce shout Of dcrision.
By and by others joined IN the chase,
and the fugitive headed away from
the junction, screaming as il pursued
by demons. He passed from sight
to be discovered later dancing about
in his dellrium on the track of the
Central. Then they knew that he
was seeking death, and their cxer-
tons to recapture the lunatic were
redoubled. Like shadow, a darker
shadow than those of night, he evad-
ed their clutches and was lost again.
Afar down the road was CLEAN
of light, and there was a trembling
of the rails. The Pacific express was
laundering its way through the dark
ness. The madman on the track a
quarter of mile below the seachers,
also saw the light. 1t grew to be a
star as he watched it. The star
grew larger, and he raced up and
down, and swung his arms in wild
exultation. He would have scream
ed out his joy but for fear of the
searchers, whose voices came to him
now and then. ....-
Larger and brighter grew the star,
and then the moaning wind brought
rushing, roaring sound so terrible
in its might as to fill one with a thrill
of awe and fear. The madman dane
ed wild dance, and beckoned the
light nearer.
It seemed to answer. 1t came
nearer.
The black darkness that had set
tied down as if to keep day from
breaking, was riven by the bright
light. Awe, and fear, and cunning
danced into his eyes and out. lie
waved the light away, and he beck
oned it nearer. A lunatic, having
the wild, wierd thoughts of disor'
dered mind, what strangely curious
thoughts must have whirled through
his brain.
The engineer, peering ahead over
the glistening rails, touched the cord
and blew the signal for the junction.
rs the wild scream Of steam rose on
the heavy air it was answered by one
wilder and fiercer. There was no
time for action. OF a sudden the
putting, rushing engine was close up
on human being, whose long arms
were waving above his head. The
engineer caught sight of white
face-of long hair matted with damp.
ness-of pair of burning eyes, and
then tho track ahead was clear
There was need of no more watch
ing in the little cabin. The star of
light had broken the darkness of
death.
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