The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-04-29
TEN TERRIBLE MINUTES,


ago l had occasion to travel from Can
non street to Spa Road station, on the
Southeastern railway. It had been a
cold, foggy day throughout, and there
were comparatively few passengers.
The compartment which I entered-a
seoond-class-ha but one previous oc-
cupant, stoutly- built man of 80 or 40.
He was attempting, with evidently
small success, to read book, and he
fdgeted about on his seat in rather
testy fashion.
Having doubt as to the regularity of
the trains on such an evening, / said,
4" I suppose this stops at Spa road ?"
"Sps road Of course it does" said
this gentleman, with what I considered
unnecessary vehemence. "Al these
trains stop at Spa road"
Don't thank me, sir, he said, mo-
ment later 81 only answered simple
question: fool or mailman could do
that"
Here the train slowly moved of, and
the speaker, whose face I had not vet
seen, resumed his efforts to read, NUT
tering now and again an impleoation at
the expense Of the fog and the cold.
When we reached the glass dome of
the Borough market the train came to
stop, and for the first time l found my
self in position to obtain good view OF
my fellow-passenger. Hitherto he had
obstinately kept his back or shoulders
toward me- Now he threw his volume
down on the seat and faced about. He
WINS, as have said, man in the full
primo of life. Rather over the average
height, he had the broad shoulders, full
chest and nervous hands of an athlete
The impression which his features pro-
duced was decidedly unpleasant. Yet
save for the eyes, which had peculiar
and indescribable glare in them, the face
was not an unhandsome one.
SCI did not know that we were 80 close
tothe Crystal palace" he said brusquely.
"The Crystal palace!" I said, in
some surprise. owe are not near the
Crystal palace"
1.-The fog has affected your eyesight.
my friend" was the reply. "Trouble
,ourself to look out of this window"
Oh, that p l said, smiling. "You
ike your joke, sir, / perceive. The
Borough market must feel fattered, in
decd, to be mistaken for the Sydenham
palace"
Borough market OF course, it was
only my Joke" laughed my compan-
ion. But there was no mirth in the
laugh,
He now took up his book again and
made another attempt to read. Though
he fixed his eyes on the page and even
now again turned O leaf, it was evident
that his reading was little better than
pretense. Indeed, it was so dark in the
carriage that to see the small characters
In an ordinary volume had become quite
impossible. While he was thus engaged
the train reached London bridge. The
moment we entered the station my COM
panion, who had drawn nearer me. re-
turned to his seat in the corner farthest
from the platform. From this he gazed
with evidently eager interest on the
people passing and repassing the car
riage door. As at Cannon street, the
number Of these WASH OF great, and we
We're still alone when the train again
moved off.
Inc moment we were outside the sta
ton change came over nv fellow-pas-
senger. He threw his book on the floor
and rose to his feet Hitherto l had
being preoecupied with nav own
thoughts, given small heed to him,
Now, without knowing why, ] fell nv
sell fascinated. There was q light in
his dark eye, an expression in his mouth.
which at once repealed and attracted me.
y Have you been much of traveller ?"
he asked, suddenly. He was standing
with his back to the door, Watching me
euriously.
. have never been out of the islam 1. :"
Ireplied.
"Ah !" he said. "Ihave been everv.
"here-1taly, Russia, India, China, Tim
bQctoo, Ashantee = anywhere every
where. have been near the North
poe and quite at the South
g Indeed, you must be a very great
traveller, sir, said.
81 have never been to the moon. No
man can be great traveller who has not
been there"
Then l am afraid that, with the ex-
oeption OF those famous heroes of Jules
Verne, there are very few about"
Just so, just so! And yet trip up
above this detestable fog beyond the
clouds would be enjoyable. In night
like this it would be Peculiarlyso don't
you agree with me p"
Not quite" 1 said; "for my own
part d much rather be at my Preside"
You would, would you? Look at
that, smell that, taste that cursed fog"
lie threw open the window, and certain
ly the fog that poured in was bad
enough in all conscience.
" grant you it is not pleasant. either
for eyes or throat, " / said.
L knew you would" continued nv
strange companion. Amy one would be
glad to get out Of it. The man who could
free you from it would deserve yonr
thanks, would he not"
There was . light in the speakers