Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-12-03

Il can't bear the idea of both doors be.
ing locked" I remarked to Raven. "Ir
case of accident it would be impossible
to escape from tie carriage"
at doesn't matter" he said, and then
relapsed into silence.
For about twenty minutes he remained
opposite to me, sometimes with his eyes
closed, sometimes with them fixed upon
me in most unpleasant manner. All
my endeavOrs to draw him into CONVEX
sation failed, and after time gave them
! up and also relapsed into silence.
! Suddenly he rose from his seat and
drew from the inside of his Overcoat a
long and pointed knife, which flashed
ominously in the lamplight
Jack Lawson, we must both ofus die
tonight" f." said he calmly and deliberate
ly, without any excitement of manner.
II feel that the time has come for us
both to quit this vale of tears"
Yes; | quite agree with you, Tom
Raven" replied-seeing what had hap
pened--in as calm voice as his own.
Il have long thought that life was
becoming very undesirable; and, to
leave it in your company, with you, my
oldest and warmest friend, would be the
most agreeable thing to me that could
happen. But-you are not married
Tom"
"Thank Heaven, no."
Remember, am married; and, had
you given me notice of this wish of
yours before starting, l would have
made arrangements and have spoken to
my wife to prepare her Have you
made your willP"
mo, I have not"
Good Heaven, man, not made your
will! Tom, it is absolutely necessary
for both of US to make our wills before
we die. | have not made mine, and
should not like to leave the world with
the chance of my wife ard child having
to go to the workhouse or be chargeable
on the parish after my death. You
would wish to leave your money to some
one in particular-is it not SOP"
"Of course I should like to leave my
money properly-of fcourse-yes! l never
thought of making my will"
You must also remember, Tom, that
it would never do to die deliberately, in
the way we both wish to die, without
leaving to the world our reason for the
act. You would not wish your name to
be II by-word and the cause of derision to
any one, | am sure; and | am certain
don't wish my own to be So Therefore
we must draw out our reasons for
dying"
"Do you know, Jack, never thought
of that?"
"Well, then first put your knife down
on the cushion there, and then we will
set to work. I've plenty of paper in my
bag and plenty of lead in my pencil, and
we've the whole night before u.s.
A tremble of my hand, quiver in my
voice, would have been fatal. l opened
the bag and drew forth the writing
paper. The knife was on the cushion at
my side
Nov, Tom, let us first state our rea-
sons to the world for wishing to die to.
night by our own hands. If you will
dictate to me your reasons, | will write
them down, and then we will revise and
correct them. After that, will dictate
my own to you and you shall write them.
We shall be able to do our work well
and quickly.n
"Quite right, Jack; we ought to give
them our reasons. How odd that |
never thought of that! Let me see; if
kill you first might write them out
afterwards"
"Ah, but who will write out mine!
Don't be selfish, there's good chapm
ITO be sure! Well, are you ready?'
He began debating long and fowery
sentences. Now and again INTERRUPTED
his flow of language to gain time, Thi'
kept him thoroughly occupied and inter
ested, while the train sped on at express
rate He had nearly finished his lon!
rambling dictation, when to my mex
prcssible delight, felt the speed of tn
train gradually slackening. knew m,
chance of deliverance was near.
Read over for yourself what hav
written" | said to him. THE carriag
is very close-a little fresh air will d
us good | will make any correction
you may require"
sat on the knife and reached over t
lower the glass. A slight fumblin
necessitated my rising to manage better
and the knife was in my left hand con
cealed under my coat. turned roun
to look at my poor friend, and saw his
trying intently to read my scribble b
the light of the lamp, seemingly uncor
scious OF the stopping Of the train. |
another moment the glass descended, tn
knife dropped upon the platform, m
hand was thrust through the windo,
and on the handle of the door. TIL
train nearly stopped as l jumped ou
shut the door, and held the handle firm
ly. Poor Raven even then was quite Ell
, crossed with what l had written fC
: him. called the guard. and secretl