The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-18
ALMOST EGONE:
nndical nan2N

Suoh was the question suddenly put to
me by the only other occupant OF the
carriage in which I was seated, as was
travelling one night to Chester by the
Irish mail, some two or three years ago.
He was an elderly man, with gray
hair, handsome features, and somewhat
careworn expression of face, quick, keen
ewes, and commanding presence.
81 am" replied. "Can be of any
service to you?"
He sighed, and paused q moment De,
fore replying. Then, fixing pair OF
searching eyes on me, he answered.:
"You can beat least, I fancy it IS
within your power to be Of service to me
If you will"
And he paused again.
I looked at him narrowly. A fine, tall
well-built man. well to do also, judging
from appearances, and in good health, I
fancied, in spite of that anxious express
of countenance so often noticeable among
mercantile men,
II shall be happy to oblge you, if it is
within my power | replied, noticing
how eager he waited for my answer.
'Good!" said he, shortly. 81 can trust
you. I can read faces, and feel that
YOU can be trusted; that what you say,
YOU will do. When do you return to
London, for conclude you are London
practitioner"
eyes," answered, "but not in fash
ionable quarter" And I smiled. ''The
greater part of nv practice lies around
Holburn-Lamb's Conduit Street, Gray's
Inn Road, and that direction"
sJust So he NODDED, $50 much the
better.''
And then he was silent for moment,
and melancholy look passed over his
countenance.
"You will soon be in London again?"
he inquired.
Yes; to. morrow night" I replied.
"And you 90 no further than Chester?'
he, continued. .s.-,
fs0nly to Chester, 10 visit an old friend
and patient 5pyrb6ffessi7 nally," Eeplied.
EGood, again! Now" and ne leaned
for ward toward me, "this is wha+ want
you to do for me; am leaving England
forever-forever!"
And he spoke salemnly.
''Take this letter." And he drew q
small packet from his breast-pocket
"Don't look at the address till you are in
London, and then deliver it to the person
to whom it is directed, with your Owl
hand. VIII you promise me this--nay
swear it? And, moreover, promise me to
mention the existence of this packet tc
no one till it is in its owners possession
Nay, do not imagine" he continued, no.
ticing doubtful expression On my face
I suppose, "that am asking you wrong
act. No; on the contrary, by doing what
I ask you will harm no one, but render 6
service to humanity, perform an act il
was my duty to have performed months
ago, and which now, alas have not
time left to execute"
And he sighed again deeply.
'sDo you promise?" he inquired, al
length, holding out the letter to me.
81 give you my word of honor to dc
what you require" replied.
ssAnd under no circumstances to repea1
the existence Of this packet to any one
till it is delivered?" he continued, earn
estly.
s'I swear itr' said solemnly.
sThank Heavehw he muttered, anc
gave me the letter, which I immediatel,
buttoned up in my inner pocket.
eWhat hour is it," he asked
told him. 4
"Ah! then in few minutes we shall b
at our journeys end?"
eyes, if the train, is up to time," I re
piled; "but do you go no further thai
Chester?"
IT think not" he answered, oddly, "
have no time to lose. Thank you, Dr.
do not know your NAME"
''Herbert," interposed.
"Dr. Herbert" he repeated, bowling
"thank you for your great kindness. 70
will never repent it, come what may
Now adieu"
And he shook hands with me heartily
then moved to the other end of the cal
rage, and before could prevent it, an,
almost as the train entered the station
drew pistol from his pocket, placed j
against his forehead, and fired, fallin.
back into my arms a corpse.
, The report of the pistol, the smoke is
suing from the carriage window, speedil
drew a crowd Of officials and excited pas
sengers< around US, and was discovere,
supporting the dead body in my arms.
A desperate case Of suicide beyonc
Huoo'Aoi. Iho ooAy was speedily lQent1
fed--indeed, there were two gentlemel
travelling by the same train who prove,
themselves to be personally acquainte,
with the deceased. He was MIR, fol
lingsworth, great merchant, rich an
respected.
An evident case of insanity it seemed
at first sight, for no house in the city wa
tirmer or better thought of than his
Yet in one Of the dead mans pockets wa
found a paper in his own hand writing
in which appeared the following words
This is to certify that, being ruined, I il
tend to shoot myself-if possible before
reach Chester.
(signed) JOHN HoLL1NGswoRTH.
(Dated) Euston Square Station,
"Nov. 8, ISL
"SHange-very strangew said b!