Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-03-19


For the first time the thought now
flashed into my mind that l was alone
with mailman. recognized now that
wild light in his eyes, that strange
twitching at the corners of the mouth.
| do not suppose that l am constitution
ally more timid than most of my neigh
bors; yet at this moment / felt cold
sweat break all over me, and know
that | looked eagerly out in the dark
ness, hoping that as now the train was
slowly moving we were near the station.
| saw only the thick fog and the feeble
light of here and there a lamp.
Yes, the man was mad, raving mad.
There could be no doubt about it. Only
a maniac could laugh the mirthless laugh
which now came from his throat as he
drew two steps nearer me and Kissed at
me, awe shall travel together to the
moon. Adieu to the fogs; say with me,
adieu to the fogs."
L was now erect, watching my COM
panion intently, nerving myself for a
struggle, which it was easy to tell was
very near. l could easily see l was no
match for such an antagonist. My hope
was that | would hold my own for the
few minutes necessary to reach Spa
road, where plenty of assistance would
be available.
"Your balloon would scarcely
travel on such night" Isaid, with af-
fected indifference. "The atmosphere
is too thick!"
"Too thick! Do you think SOP" he
said.
81 do. Consider the density of the
fog. How could we possibly get through
itP"
"Well, there's something in that, "
he said, sitting down. "Yet the effort
is worth trial. Yes, it is worth a
trial."
He sprang anew to his feet, and APP
preached me. He threw out his strong
hands, and made clutch at my throat.
"This is how we begin, this is how |
get the gas for the trip. l kill you first
to give you start. Then | start myself
and follow you" One shout | gave for
help, but it was lost in the report of q
fog signal; then we were swaying back
ward and forward in the carriage in q
struggle which was literally for life OF
death. The madman's breath came hot
on my face, his strong arms held me in
fierce embrace. There was a fierce
joy in his eyes.
The foam worked out of his mouth,
and his teeth CRASHED angrily against
each other.
Life is dear, and | felt no inclination
to yield mine without desperate strug
gle. tore my antagonists hands from
my throat, and for q moment forced
him to act on the defensive. | shouted
again and again for help, and how
longed for Spa road no words can de
scribe. The train was now running a
a good rate and l knew the station
could not be far off. If only l coulC
hold my own for one half minute al
would be safe.
Pausing in his exertions for momen
the mailman suddenly Quilted me. JUS
then, to my horror, the train rushed
through my station without even slack
ening speed. was in the wrong train
and there was no hope of assistance til
we reached New Cross. 1t was eviden
that my fellow-passengers had not hearC
my shouts for assistance.
Without word of warning my com
panion again threw himself upon me
this time with fury so reSistless that
was borne to the floor.
awe shall go 10 the moon," HI
shrieked. 81 have knife we can Gu
our way through the fog"
felt myself helpless. My previous
exertions had exhausted my strength
while that of the maniac seemed to in
crease with the struggle. Strive as
might | was utterly and entirely in hi
power now.
How slowly the train seemed to move
believe now that it was going at {
good speed, but to me it appeared tt
progress at snail's pace. And how
curiously vivid were my thoughts.
saw the home where | was expected, tn
kind faces waiting to greet me. l won
dered what they'd say when they hearC
, of my death. | caught myself thinking
how ugly were the msdmam's eyes, and
even noticed the color of his necktie-
blue, with white spots. l no longer fel
any inclination to shout for help.
looked upon myself as dead. l evel
began to look at myself as third per
son, and to lament, in a PHILOSOPHERS
, fashion, the illfortune which cut off a
the beginning of his career promisin,
. young man. Then remembered that
owed a shoemaker for a pair of boots
and / pitied the unfortunate tradesma
for the bad debt he had made. Will
these and a hundred other thoughts wer
passing through my brain, it seemed t
me that an age had TRANSFERRED. In reaI
4 ity | do not suppose that at the outsid
/. more than minute had elapsed sine
my unlucky fall. Suddenly, as in
( dream, ] heard the mailman, who noV
h was seated astride my chest, hiss:
!. owen cut our way to the moon-m
/, knife is sharp. Let's try it on you
D throat"
3 With curious deliberation he drew
strong pocket-knife and opened it.
!, "All right, friend, ehP" he crieC
laughing. "Now, mind, do not leav
: the carriage till | have come up to you.
/. 81 am swift" said |, and / declare
= did not recognize my own voice. "If
h go first you shall certainly not overtak
me-you start and I'll follow"
4 "Me startp"
"Yes, you're drawer, stronger, an
O you have the knife; you must go first
It clear the way"
"Of course, forgot that" he crieC
= almost to my horror, so utterly was
g surprised. "Of course, forgot that,
he cried, again, 81 must clear IL
D way"