The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-12-20

| perilous one.
A cold sweat started out all over me-the
condition which conduced to that sweat
saved my life, perhaps; for the opposite,
which would have prompted me to spring
to my feet and fly, would very likely have
precipitated matters to serious if not fatal
conclusion. My hair stood up, am certain,
and my tongue cleaved to the roof of my
mouth as if glued there, while my heart
beat the "tattoo" on my ribs.
suppose you think l was frightened.
Well, you have been mistaken before now,
without doubt and you might be now
but you are not. l was frightened-and
don't you forget It'll
Out there in the dark at midnight, in a
cold, gray, ghostly mist that looked like the
shroud of all things earthly, seated beside
a powerful fellow, who coolly suggested
"sensation" of a startling and tragical ma
ture, strengthening his suggestion by the
production of murderous looking revolver !
yes, was frightened, and don't care who
knows it
al shall shoot you first, Patsey" was the
next remark of my friend %, and how crisp
and firm the utternncel "Then shall
shoot myself The sensation in the morn
ing will be tremendous, my boy"
His right hand moved-my eyes were
glued upon it-and something l had to do,
or something he would do,most certainly,and
cause Sensation in the morning" Re-
trieving my tongue (minus the skin, am
certain) from the roof of my mouth, l man
aged to moisten it sufficiently to speak in
husky voice:
"Cully, don't shoot, as that will bring the
park police upon us, who will carry us to the
station house, and spoil the morning sensa-
ton. See itP"
"Sound as a nut" said my friend immed-
lately and putting away hisrevolver, brought
out large knife, which he opened, show
ing a wicked. looking blade six inches in
length.
The thought thi t was about to be hack
eh to pieces caused a sickening chill to run
through me. l would have preferred being
shot.
"This will do better, Patsey. 1t is silent
and sure. will stab you to the heart, or
cut your throat, just as you prefer" he SAID,
in a tone that was blood-freezing from its
diabolical earnestness and calmness.
"That is better than the pistol, my friend"
said I, "but hate blood. propose some
thing better than either; let us both drop
ourselves in the lake here. There'l be a
sensation, sure, when they fish us out. What
do you say?" Q
got to my feet without being hindered,
my sensational friend rising also.
"a good idea, Patsey," said he, at once.
at is better than the knife or pistol. Can
you swim?"
d" Not stroke" said I.
1t was le but,under the circumstances,
able, think.
"Ha! ha !--good Nor !, Patsey-never
could get the stroke. Well walk in hand
in hand-give me your hand, Patsey."
"I'll do it, said /, quickly--"that just
suits me exactly. But, now the thing is set
tied, let's go and have one good square drink,
Cully-a parting drink to all the world and
the rest of mankind-and then we'll come
back and walk in here, and sink out of sight
and trouble together. I'm willing and
anxlous"-the mental reservation was-"to
get that drink and get away from you"
He met me like trump card.
"I'll do it, Patsey-come on. A parting
drink to all the world, and then we'll so to
sleep in these quiet waters"
"Not if | know myself" mentally ex-
claimed, and started away, my sensational
friend grasping my elbow and accompany
ing me-his grip was tight one, t"o.
"You must not deceive me, Patsey," said
he the moment we moved away. "Il
you do, have the knife and pistol. You
and are booked for the Unknown, and the
boat leaves shortly"
deceive you, my dear fellow" said |,
as if deeply wounded in feelings, though
struck by happy thought" as l felt
"never fear. Why, when you hailed me
thinking of getting out of this into the other
world, and was going down to the river Ia
jump in. didn't think of this lake-it is
much more genteel. Now, let that settle it,
my dear fellow"
1t did. He expressed himself satisfied
and gave vent TO nothing more that implied
doubt on his part. set out to reach the
"Mount st. Vincent" but missed the way
in the thick gray mist, and fetched up on
9th avenue at 10th street. knew of a
place some ten blocks up there. If could
only reach it, felt certain l could elud6
my companion; and walked for il as Wes
ton for the belt. | reached il, and in lee:
than five minutes my sensational friend
who had known me for an hour or SO (he
must have known me formerly knew mC
no more that night, nor has he known mC
since.
suppose the fellow had the 'Jamsl" and
while don't wish TO have to do with any
more such, late at night in the Park, yet
can't help thinking how more tractabls h'
was, though with brain adnft, than "mus
sy lush" would have been.
An invitation to "take a walk" at oi
about midnight do not now acce It, unles,
can "place' my man.
"Patsey" FITzGERALD,
Formerly of the late Chris. o'Connori
staff.-Nei0 York Clipper.
RUSSIAN JUSTICE.
In the Government of Volhynia, Russia