Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-10
My Strange FeIlow-Passenger.

my OH uilYC CioW-t uooOiSCi'
Yes" said the old doctor, asserting
TO a remark | had just made. I've
had good many strange experiences in
my time, and | think | may call mine
rather an eventful life.
Forty years ago last June he re-
sumcd, after a moment of thoughtful
silence, =" graduated with high honors,
and received hospital appointment,
which would furnish me with employ
ment tor the next five years, and enable
me to obtain practical knowledge of
medicine before setting up for myself
My duties did not begin, however,
before the first of August, and as | was
little worn out by the heat and by
hard study. | was glad to be able to
spend the intervening six weeks with
my mother in the country.
Il left Philadelphia one day at noon,
by the stage that was to convey me To
the town where she lived We were 10
travel until late in the evening, when we
Were to stop for the night at little pub
lie house on the road, resuming our
journey by the mail-coach at six the
next morning.
There were two other passengers be-
sides myself. "A young man who had
secured the boX-seat which | had eN-
pcr'rd to get, and lady who sat inside
with me.
I'VE drove along merrily enough. in
good humor with ourselves and each
other, and had placed about mile be-
tween us and the town, when, rs |
looked out of the window. | saw. stand
Ing by the roadside, man with n car
pet bag in one hand. who was beckoning
-. u 81 -
emily came up with him.
Inside or outside. sir? asked the
driver as he dismouutcd.
49, Inside; inside. Of course was the
reply, little irascibly. thought, rs the
newcomer placed his feet upon the step
Yer pay in advance sir. bcggin' yer
pardon reminded the driver. OBTAINING
him and touching his hat
The old gentleman--he was elderly,
and To all appearance a gentleman
seemed further irritated by the DELAY.
He asked the amount. however. paid it
at once. and took his seat beside me, be-
slowing his carpet-bag under his feet.
and cvincing great satisfaction rs we
started again.
81 had feared we were TO have a dis
agreeable addition to- our party, iud ging
from first impressions: but when, after n
with us. we found him remarkably in
telligent and affable.
Before he had talked great while
! discovered he had led rather a noma-
die life. Europe, South America. East
India, seemed equally familiar to him
Without being garrulous, he had So
many charming incidents to relate Of
Eife in many lands, that he contrived to
entertain us most delightfully."-.
Il judged he was travelling on import
ant business. he seemed so jealous Of
any attention. When we stopped to al
low the box-seat passenger to alight,
and again Mt three O'Clock. when we
halted for dinner. noticed he became
restless and anxious.
At dinner. his manner was con-
strained. lie ate little, and talked less.
consulted his watch frequently. and
finally excused himself before we had
half finished the meal, and left the room.
when we resumed our seats in the
stage. we found him there before US.
He was seated in his old place. with his
head drawn back in an uncomfortable
corner. effectually shielding him from
observation. Indeed. had handed the
lady in before she discovered him, and
she gave little cry of surprise.
"'I hope | haven't startled you,
madam he said. Il had no appetite
for dinner. so thought might rs well
wal. here ne in the house
"'These delays are rather annoying
when one Is anxious to get on re-
marked.
"'Ycs. sir; yes he replied with
light sigh Itishlghly important, too.
ihat should lose no time on the way
"He then changed the subject. with
the case Of man Of the world, and our
conversation became general. lie was
certainly very pleasant. After five
o'clock. when the lady inside as the
driver called Der. left us TO ourselves.
eur tete-d-tete was especially agreeable.
Just at dark, we drew up In front Of
the little inn which was to furnish us
with our nights lodging
THE proprietor came out to meet US.
and with many apologies regretted that
he had hut one spare room to offer us.
"Therc was a wedding in the gh-
borhood that evening. and party from
town had driven down early In the after
noon and engaged all his apartments ex-
eept this one chamber.
But II you two gentlemen don't OBJ
ct sharing the same room for n couple
of hours-you'll have to rise early 10
lake the mail coach--T think / can make
you very comfortable. There are two
clean beds in the room, and
"'Tm sure III not object inter-
Tupted, turning TO my fellow traveller.
e lie hcsitated an instant. and then
xaid. We'll. sir. I'm agreed If you are;'
ehen. with an almost solemn tone, Re
member. sir, the proposal came from
On. and IL fate should