Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-06
like this it would be peculiarly SO don't

part I'd much rather be at my fireside.
"You would, would you? Look at
that, smell that, taste that cursed fog"
He 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" I said.
81 knew you would" continued my
strange companion. Any one would be
glad to get out of it. The man who could
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, was
yet not without strong desire to reach
| Spa road. As bad luck would have it,
while Yet we had notmade half the short
journey, the train again came to sud-
den stop.
eyes, he would bea 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..
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, 81 am the man. I 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 I am constitution
ally more timid than most Of my neigh
bors yet at this moment I felt cold
sweat break all over me, and I know
that I locked eagerly out 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
maniac could laugh the mirthless
laugh which now came from his throat,
as he drew two steps nearer me and
Kissed at me, "We shall travel together
to the moon. Adieu to the fogs say
| Will luS, otllCu W I1iS lCSS.
I was now erect, watching my COM
panion intently, nerving myself for a
struggle, which, it was easy to tell, was
very near. could easily see I was no
match for such an antagonist. Ny hope
was that I 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. said, with affected
Indifference. "The atmosphere is too
thick p
'fToo thick! Do you think so?" be
said.
81 do. Consider the density Of the
ffg: H0" can we possibly get through
"Well, there's something in that" he
said, sitting down. "Yet the effort is
worth trial. Yes, it 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 I
get the gas for the trip. kill you first
to give you start. Then I start myself
and follow YOU One shout gave for
help, but it was lost in the report of a
fog signal then we were swaying back
ward and forward in the carriage in
struggle which was literally for life or
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 moment forced him
to act on the defensive. Ishouted again
and again for help, and how longed
for Spa road no words can describe.
The train was now running at a good
rate and knew the station could not be
far of. If only I could hold my own for
one half minute all would be safe.
Pausing in his exertions for a 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. It was evident
that my fellow-passengers had not heard
my shouts for assistance.
Without word of warning my COM
panion again threw himself upon me,
this time with fury so resistless that I
was borne to the floor.
eve shall go to the moon," he
shrieked. 81 have 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, I 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. I saw the home
where I was expected, and kind faces
waiting to greet me. I wondered what
they'd say when they heard of my death.
I caught myself thinking how ugly were
the madmans 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. I even began to
| 4b;nI- IF rovco1f as q third maroon ond to