Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-01
Ten Terrible Minutes.

Ten Terrible Minutes.
One November evening few years
ago had occasion to travel from Can.
non street to Spa road station, on the
Southeastern railway. 1t had been d
cold, foeey day throughout, and there
were comparatively few passengers.
The compartment which l entered -
second class-had but one previous oc
cupant, a stoutly-built man OF thirty
five or forty. Hewas attempting, with
evidently small success, to read book,
rather IA testy fashion.
Haviu g doubt as to the regularity
of the trains on such an evening said,
81 suppose this stops at Spa road ?"
"Spa road! Of course it does, said
this gentleman with what considered
unnecessary vehemence. "All these
trains stop ut Spa road"
"Don't thank me. sir, be said mo-
ment later. - only answered simple
question: fool or a mailman could do
that"
Here the train slowly moved off, and
the speaker. whose face l had not yet
seen, resumed his efforts to read, NUT
teripg now and again an inprecation at
the expense OF the fog and the cold.
When we reached the glass dome OF
the Borough Market the train came to a
stop, and for the first time found my.
self in position to obtain good view
of my fellow passenger. Hitherto he
had obstinately kept bis back or shout
ders towards me. Now he threw his
volume down on the seat and faced
about. He was, as I have said, man
in the full prime of life. Rather over
the sversge height, he had the broad
shoulders, full chest, and nervous
hands OF an athlete. The impression
which his features produced was de-
cidedly unpleasant. Yet save for the
eyes. which had q peculiar and inde-
scribable glare in them, the face was
not an unhandsome one.
81 did not know that We we're 20 close
to the Crystal Palace" he said brusque-
".
"The Crystal Palace!" I said, in
some surprise. "We are not near the
Crystal Palace"
The fog has affected your eyesight,
my FRIEND" was the reply. "Trouble
yourself to look out Of this window"
"Oh shat" I said, smiling. You
like your joke, sir, I perceive. The
Borough Market must feel fl Uttered, in
deed, to be mistaken for the Sydenham
Palace"
Borough Market! OF course, it
was only my joke" laughed my COM
panion. 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 leaf, it was evident
that his readingSwas little better than a
pretense. Indeed, it was SO dark in
the carriage that to see the small char
acters in an ordinary volum5 had be-
come quite impossible. While he was
thus engaged the train reached London
bridge. The moment we entered the
station my companion, who had drawn
nearer me, returned to his seat in the
corner farthest from the Platform.
From this he gszed with evidently
eager interest on the people passing and
repassing the ca lge door. AS at
Cannon street, the inter of these was
not great, and we were ill ..,one when
the train again moved off.
When We we're outside the station a
change came over my fellow passenger.
He threw his book on the floor, end rose
to his feet. Hitherto, 1 Lad, being
preoccupied with my own thoughts,
given small heed to him. Now, with
ont knowing why, felt myself fascin-
ated. There was light in his dark
eyes, an expression in his mouth which
ct once repelled and attracted me.
"Have you been much OF traveller ? -
he asked suddenly. He was standing
with his back to the door watching me
curiously.
II have never been out of the is
land" replied.
"Ah!" he said, 81 have been every
where-Italy, Russia, India, China,
Timbuctoo, Ashautee-snywhere-- ey-
erywbere. 1 have been near the North
Pole and quite at the South"
Indeed, you must be very great
Traveller, SIR" I said.
have never been to the moon. No
man can be a great traveller who has n OF
been there"
"Then I'm afraid that with the ex-
ception of those famous heroes of Jules
Verne there are very few about"
"Just so, just so! And got trip up
above this detestable fog beyond the
clouds would be enjoyable. In night
like this it would be peculiarly so:
don't you agree with me?"
Not quite" 1 said; g. for NY own
part III much rather be at mg ffesi3e. -
"You would, would you? Look ct
that, smell that, taste that cursed fog :"