The Princeton union., 1879-01-29
A Terrible Encounter ;.

had been living in Oakland but o.
short time, and crossed the ferry every
day to business IN San Francisco One
evening ! was watching from the ferry
boat The lights Of San Francisco recHding
IN the distance, and was absorbed III the
beauty Of their dancing, flashing, many
colored rags Long lanes Of brilliant
lam ps were coming inte' view, and then
giving place of others, all these shining
avenues OF lights, from my shifting point
OF view, seeming to revoiv. upon a COM
mon centre, while the thousand lights
upon the the hills we're reflected in the
Calm water of the bay. Gradually a
feeling of 3 dread crept over ine-a cur
tain seemed to fall over the lights, ex.
GLIDING from my view all save one,
bright red lamp upon the water front
the danger signal to my awakening ap-
prehansions. (. T..
sl3aarned suddenly. and saw him for
~ .frst tlrRe-a tail, athletic man. his
covered with 8 Gong black beard,
stauiing near and evidently watching
me. As turned he stepped toward me,
and noticed that we were alone upon
the afterdeck. I jumped away from the
rail, ana hastily joined the crowd at the
bow Of the beat. There laughed at e, !
foolish fears. and looked IN vain for the
fellow who had alarm ed mo. I saw him
no morerthat night, and began to curse
my cowardiee, for there was nothing st
ali remarkable in the circumstances that
we two were alone upon that part of the
deck, and there really was nothing
c1ta
toward nae. However, I slept but little
that night and felt uneasy for several days
afterward This apparently trivial Incl.
dent made so great an impression on my
mind that bought a revolver. carefully
loaded it, and carried it always with me.
For some weeks saw nothing of The
man, and although / had ceased to think
Of him, continued from habit to carry
the pistol.
One night had been working late Ii
my office, and was hurrying down Cali
tornla Street to take the last boat for
Oakland. Wh:n near the corner Of Bat
terry, / was seized rs before with the same
feeling Of terror, and instinctiyely nv
haad was upon my revolver. AT the corn
er met the some black bearded strang-
er, and recognized him Immediately He
stopped full in front Of me, and extend
ing his arm to bar the way, he said:
Ny friend, do you know that your life
is in danger on these streets at this hour
Of the night2n
had with NE considerable sum of.
money that had been handed me in the
egening, and which in my hurry had
forgotten to deposit In the safe.
''Yes," answered, as I drew aud pre-.
sented my pistol, II know that, and am
prepared TO defend it."
The instant he saw the pistol be fled IN
/ Battery Street and disappeared. Had /
raised an alarm should be detained. and
would have missed the last boat, which
indeed, I barely succeeded in catching.
| did not mention the occurrence to
any one, as my business often obliged me
TO remain in the city until late in the
evening, and if my family knew Of they
would be constantly alarmed for my safe
ty.s !.
sometl ing told me T had not seen the
last of the man, and carefully examined
my pistol every morning made eau
3tloas inquiries at the police office, but
nothing was there known of such q per
son rs 4 described / became nervous
and excitable from constant apprahen-
sion, and walked nowhere alone at night.
Some months had passed, when one
aay, feeling that q ramble among the
hills would do me good, / took an early
boat 10 Sancelito, ana strollea for sever.
q hours through the canons among the
hills again that naneess terror cane
upon me, and | was harrying through
the woods along . narrow path leading
y the road, Whena sudden turn brought
i,lefacc to face with the tall unknown.
For the first time / saw his fare distinct
Ily. II was an intelligent countenance,
but there was something relentless in Its