The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-04-21
ewes which I did not like. and

-
vet not without strong desire to reach
Spa road. Al bad luck would have it.
while yet We had not made half the short
journey, the train again came to sud-
den stop.
Eyes. he would be d public benefactor
who could deliver the people Of London
from fog" said.
He would, would he not?" whis.
pered my companion eagerly. "Then I
am the man."
Az he spoke he crouched down and
looked up ct me with = glare that made
me start. He buttoned his coat and
pulled up his sleeves, Is he whispered
again, II am the man. ! can free you
from these fogs-I can free myself.
For the first time the thought now
flashed into my mind that I was alone
with . mailman. I recognized now that
wild light in his eyes, that strange
twitching at the corners Of the mouth.
do not suppose that am constitution
ally more timid than most of my neigh
bors vet at this moment felt . cold
sweat break all over me, and I know
that ] locked 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 lamp.
Yes, the man was mad, raving mad.
There could be no doubt about it. Only
maniac could laugh the mirthless
laugh which now came from his throat,
as he drew two steps nearer me and
Missed at me, I'VE shall travel together
to the moon. Adieu to the fogs say
with me, adieu to the fogs."
was now erect, watching my COM
panion irtently, ncrving myself for a
struggle, which, it was easy to tell, was
very near. could easily see / was no
match for such mn antagonist. Ny 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 q night" ! said, with affected
indifference. 1.-THE atmosphere is too
thick T.
"Too thicki Do you think SOP" he
said.
II do. Consider the density Of the
fog: How can We possibly get through
| well, there's something in that" he
said. sitting down. yet the effort il
worth trial. Yes, il is worth trial. !"
He sprang anew to his feet, and ap-
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 kill you first
TO give you start. Then start myself
and follow you." One shout gave for
help, but il was lost in the report.of a
fog signal; then we were swaying back
ward and forward in the carriage III n
struggle which was literally for life or
death. The madman's breath came hot
on my face, his strong arms held me in a
| fierce embrace. There was fierce ioy
in his eyes.
The foam worked ont 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 moment forced him
to net on the defensive. Ishouted again
and again Tor help, and how longed
for Spa road no words can describe.
The train was now running at a good
rate aud knew the station could not be
far off II only / could hold my own for
one half minute all would be safe.
Pausing in his exertions for moment
the mailman suddenly quilted me. just
then, to my horror, the train rushed
1 fhrn,,rvh ck0ksos, Sus%lr.,k avon II,
ing speed. was in the wrong train,
and there was no hope Of assistance till
we reached New Cross. It was evident
that my fellow-passengers had not heard
my shouts for assistance.
Without word Of warning my CON-
panion again threw himself upon me.
this time with a fury SO resistless that
was borne to the floor.
I've shall go to the moon," he
shrieked. II have knife-we can cut
onr way through the fog"
/ felt myself helpless. Ny 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 his
power now.
How slowly the train seemed to move.
believe now that it was going at q good
speed, but t. me it appeared to progress
at a snail's pace. And how curiously
vivid were my thoughts. I saw the home
where / was expected, and kind faces
waiting to greet me. I wondered what
they'd say when they heard Of my death.
| caught myself thinking how ugly were
the madman's eyes, and even noticed
the color Of his necktie-blue. with
white spots. I no longer felt any incli-
nation to shout for help. To all looked
upon myself as dead. / even began to
think Of myself As third person. and TO
lament, in . philosophical fashion, the
i'll fortune which cut off at the begiring
Of his career . promising young man.
Then remembered that owed o shoe.
maker for pair Of boots, and 1 pitied
the unfortunate tradesman Tor the bad
debt he had made. While these and a
hundred other thoughts were passing
through my brain, it seemed to me that
an age had transpired. In reality dc
not suppose that at the outside more
than q minute had elapsed since my un.
lucky fall. Suddenly, as in dream,
heard the mailman, who now was seated
astride my chest, hiss
"WeM cut our way to the moon-my
knife is sharp. Let's try it on your
throat"
With curious deliberation he drew q
strong pocket knife and opened it.
"All right, friend, eh?" he cried,
laughing. Now mind, do not leave
the carriage till come mp to You"
81 am swift, said /, and Ideclare l
did not recognize my own voice. III
| 30 first, You shall certainly not over.
taAe me-you start and I'll follow"
'de start?"
Yes, you're Drawer, stronger, and
You have the knife; you must 60 first to
clear the way"
"Of course. forgot that" he cried,
almost to my horror, SO utterly was |
surprised. "Of course, forgot that. y
he cried again. II must clear the
way"
Still sitting on me he deliberately
/ dravu the he;r. Ia IL n. 4