The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-10-15

been taught, Miss Brown, Is at times very
much increased, and Mt other times sensibly
diminished, by sudden atmospheric changes,
and 1t looks a. II we were going to have .
thunderstorm. These storms mostly come
from the lake shore; the lake lies this way"
and he pointed to window away from the
railroad. Snow you had better 90 home as
last as you can-and take my umbrella-be.
fore the rain comes"
By this time had been wound up to such
pitch of nervous excitement that was
quiyering all over. Yet the idea of leaving
the office was furthest from my thoughts. I
do not think that / could have gone to my
boarding house, had 1 tried. felt like
locking myself up In my closet ana cover.
Ing there, but then knew that would be
dastardly act.
1T is rough for you, Miss Brown" said
Mr.. Thor, looking at the clock. "Though
apparently careless about this ugly BUSH
ness, am not assuming character foreign
to my nature"
l scarcely listened to what he said. only
shuddered at his Indifferent talk. Just then
heard-l am certain 1t was before he heard
1.-THE indistinct, far-oft rumble of some
train, and shrieked out. ''What In Gods
name are you going to doT"
ut is the train, sure enough. Track
makes a loop near the lake shore, and the
sound comes uninterruptedly over the wa
ter. He Is good way Oft yet. Now, Miss
Brown, II after a while he whistles, he will
stop. Crazy though he may be with rum,
madness. II he does whistle, then signal
down brakes, there will be no trouble about
it,"
"But the depot hands, who might help
you, where are they, sir?"
"rhey have gone home, lust an hour and
five minutes agO'
"But,"I asked in whisper, ''if he does
not whistle, does not stop, what then!'
swell, suppose l shall have to climb
into the water tank, hang on the spout and
drop into the tender Of the train as it passes
beneath me: that is, ii he Is going too fast
for me TO Jump 0n."
But it will kill you-must kill you. 1t
is madness; 1t will be sacrifice of another
life," and / caught him by the sleeve ;
''yOu would not have one chance in q thou
sand. You might just as we'll lie across the
track, hoping to stop the train. You must
inevitably be crushed to atoms." just then
plaintive screech was heard through the
storm Of wind which now was blowing.
"He has whistled! Thank God for that!''
I said, with an intense feeling Of relief.
"That Is three miles of, and he must
now slacken his pace, whether he will or
not, from the fact Of there being just there a
bad bit Of track and an up grade. But,
Miss Brown, knew all this, and that there
was likely not to be much danger about it.
kettridge, think, will stop in-say, five
minutes. 1t Is wonderful how fast the time
gossip
"No, no, )" exclaimed; "there has been
to me whole existence in the last fifteen
minutes!"
"You don't say so! Would Miss Brown
he kind enough to hold my pipe" and say
ing this he placed the pipe in my hand.
gazed at him as il In q dream, when he con.
tinued, "lt's quite good bit of meer-
schaum. cut the sea horse on it. Please
do not break it. shall want q good smoke
when come back" Then felt the tremu-
lOus motion an approaching train imparts to
the ground, next heard the rapid snOrts OF
the exhaust steam, and then the whistle
screams, and it seemed to me that the train
would whiz directly through the office the
next moment.
"Just third of mile of; now he slows,
and the train hands must have some idea oil
their danger, and may unc0uple, or put
down brakes, and so prevent his budging.
So good-by, Miss Brown" And with this
he leisurely walked out Of the Office. Now
strained my ears to their utmost, but did
not dare to look out OF the window. THAI
the train had slowed somewhat, close
to the Office, was certain, for . volume o.
sulphurous gas, beaten in by the storm,
drove through the windows. Still the trair
did not halt, but was moving on rapidly
Presently I heard something like the cry Of
u wild beast. Then there was struggle OF
the platform. The noise approaches nearer
and nearer. The very Office now was shaken
and the door bent forward on its catch ant
hinges. sprang to the door and with al
my strength pulled at It. It opened inward
just then pistol was fired, and I got out o
the way barely in time to escape from maj
falling on me; for, like stone thrown from
q sling, there lay on the floor, pistol smok
ing in his hand, the body Of . man all be
grimed with oil and coal, while over hin
stood Mr.. Thor, one knee on his adversary
breast, and both his hands tight grippe(
around the PROSTATE mans throat.
"Why did you not 60 into your closet
And dare say YOU have smashed my pipe
Keep quiet, you poor, drunken fool, or mus
choke the life out Of you" This was all ]
heard. Then the room was crowded with
people, and next I tainted, for the first tint
In my life, and, as far IS can remember, ir
quite resigned and satisfactory way.