Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-03-23

for eyes or throat" said.
81 knew you would" continued my
strange companion. "Any one would be
glad to get out of it. The man who
would free you from it would deserve
your thanks, would he not?"
There was light in the speakers eyes
which I did not like, and there was
movement at the corners of his mouth
the opposite of pleasant. While not
feeling the least dread of him L was yet
not without strong desire to reach Spa
road. As bad luck would have it, while
yet we had not made half the short Jour-
ney, the train again came to a sudden
stop.
eyes, he would be public benefactor
who could deliver the people of London
from fog / said.
Gle would, would he not?" whispered
my companion, eagerly. "Then l am
the man. .5.
As he spoke he crouched down and
looked up at me with glare that made
me start. He buttoned his coat and
pulled up his sleeves as he whispered
again: .....f. .e
81 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 a mailman. L recognized now that
wild light in his eyes, that strange
twitching at the corners of his mouth. [
do not suppose that [ 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 on, In the dark
ness, hoping that, as now the train was
slowly moving, we were near the station.
I 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
a maniac could laugh the mirthless
laugh which now came from his throat,
as he drew two steps nearer and Kissed
at me: rrs HH
"We shall travel together to the moon.
Adieu to the fogs; say with me adieu to
the fogsp'
] was now erect, watching my COM
panion intently, nerving myself for a
struggle, which was easy to tell was very
near. I could easily see I was no match
for such an antagonist. My hope was
that I might hold my own for the few
minutes necessary to reach the Spa road,
where plenty of assistance would be
available. I#..... ...
"Your balloon would scarcely travel
on such a night, said, with affected
indifference. "The atmosphere is too
thick" .-..
''Too thick! Do you think so o. he
said
81 do. Consider the density of the
fog. How could wepossibly get through
it %
"Well. there's something in that he
said, sitting down. "Yet the effort is
worth a trial. Yes, it is worth 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 I
get the gas for the trip. | kill you first
to give you start. Then I start my
self and follow you" .......-....
One shout gave for help, but it was
lost in the report of fog signal; then
we were swaying backward and forward
In the carriage in struggle which was
literally for life or death. The mad
mans breath came hot on my face, his
strong arms held me in fierce embrace.
was d nCICt JOf LII LIS 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. l tore my antagonists hands from
my throat, and for a moment forced him
to act on the defensive. I shouted again
and again for help, and how longed for
Spa road no words can describe. The
train was now going at good rate, and
[ 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 exertion for moment
the mailman suddenly quilted me. Just
then, to my horror, the train rushed
through my station, without even slack
ing speed. I was in the wrong train,
and there was no hope of assistance till
we reached New Cross
1t was evident that my fellow-passen-
gers had not herd my shouts for assist
ance. l.st
Without word of warming nv com
panion again threw himself upon me,
this time with fury SO resistless that /
was borne to the floor.
NCOiehh ~ W UIIC HULL, u0 SIII0koQ.
ct have a knife-we can cut our way
through the fog
I felt myself helpless. My previous
exertions had exhausted my strength,
while that of the maniac seemed to in
crease with the struggle. Strive as I
might was utterly and entirely in his
power now.
How slowly the train seemed to move.
I believe now that it was going at a good
speed, but to me it appeared to progress
at snail's pace. And how curiously
vivid were my thoughts. Isaw the home
where [ was expected, the kind faces
awaiting to greet me. wondered what
they'd say when they beard of my death.
I caught myself thinking how ugly were
the madman's eyes, and L even noticed
| the color Of his necktie-blue, with white
spots. I nc longer felt an inclination to
shout for help. To all intents. I looked