The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-28
With n NIadnlan.

1t was flne but cold evening In the be-
ginning of March, 1850, and was return
ing to my school, the best in Ireland, in my
humble opinion, viz Portora Royal School.
l had come that morning from ''the bcauti-
full city" to Dublin, where l had arrived
safe and sound about Q p. NJ, if I remem-
Der rightly. I remained in Dublin until
the last train from that city TO Ennislillen,
which started about p. N. The short
time had in Dublin spent first of all in
recruiting the inner man, which, by y-the-by,
schoolboys don't often forget to do, and af-
terward in making few purchases, and
taking quiet STROLL at fifteen minutes to
five jumped into cab and drove to tho
Dublin and Droghcda terminus, where ar
rived just in time to take my ticket.
took third-olass tioket--I knew gentlomen
don't often travel third. GLASS; and would
not havo done so then, but having spent a
good deal of money in. Dublin on various
Irifles, had not sufficient cash to purchase
second-class ticket without encroaching
considerably on my pocket money for the
half year, which did not feel at atallinclined
to do.
However l am in the train. 'eWhcrc
for2" says the guard. 'Enniskillen. !"
tiend-like shrek, puff, puff, and Off we
60.
The carriage got into was riokcty old
concern, full Of cracks through which the
wind came in far too large quantities to be
agreeable; however, determined to make
the best of a bad matter Fortunately I had
two rugs, so arranged one as couch,
placed my carpet-bag rs q pillow, but tied
1lIo I,oU oyUf at or
which had with mo, and which I advise
no one who has to travel in winter to be
without, stretched myself on my primitive
couch, placed my other rug over me, and
was quickly in the arms of Morpheus.
A considerable time must have elapsed
before awoke; when did 3d. heard a
strange kind Of jabbering. was still but
half awake when loud peal of discordant
laughter rang out from tho end of the car
riage, and etfectually aroused me. Aroused
me, did say9 1t did more. To use a
common expression, It frightened the wits
out of me. sat up now fully awake, and
saw, at the further end Of tho carriage, a
man Of about fifty-fve Or sixty years OF age,
Of middle height, dressed in threadbare
suit, with q hat to match, and wearing a
pair Of spectacles. 1t was now pitch dark,
and the lamp placed In the roof but only
dimly illuminated the carriage.
When my first alarm had subsided, caused
by this madman's demoniac laugh (for mad
man he truly was), became myself again.
My friend in the corner evidently now no.
ticed me for the first time, and at last rose
from his seat, and walked toward me. Now
/ can assure you, was in no enviable state
of mind; here was, late at night, shut up
In, a third.class carriage with mailman,
goodness knows how far from any station,
and without any means of communicating
with the guard However,, / thought It
best to put a bold face on the matter. /
therefore rose from my seat, and advanced
to meet my fellow-passenger holding,
however, firmly In my hand rather q form
idable looking claspknife which ! had pur-
chased in Dublin but the elderly gentle
man before mentioned, when he reached
the window Of the carriage, appeared TO be
attracted by something outside, for he
stopped, put his head out Of the Window
and indulged, In another Of those discordant
peals of laughter, with one'of which lie had
so alarmed me when I first awoke. y Y
He then began to ycll at the top Of his
voice, smuch he cares for that now, and
other words, which l could not catch, In
termingled with peals of .rnearthly laughter
and seemed much delighted with his per.
,formance. :. 1
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