The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-04-22
TEN TERRIBLE MINUTES,

One November evening few years
ago l had occasion to travel from Can
non street to Spa Road station, on the
Southeastern railway. Tt had been q
cold, foggy day throughout, and there
were comparatively few passengers.
The compartment which 1 entered-a
second-class-had but one previous oc-
cupant, stoutly-built man of 80 or 40.
He was attempting, with evidently
small success, to read book, and he
fidgeted about ON his seat in rather
testy fashion.
Having doubt as to the regularity Of
the trains on such an evening, said,
Il suppose this stops at Spa road ?"
"Spa road OF course it does" said
this gentleman, with what 1 considered
unnecessary vehemence. Cali these
trains stop at Spa road"
"Don't thank me, sir" he said, a mo-
ment later. 81 only answered simple
question: fool or mailman could do
that"
Here the train slowly moved off, and
the speaker, whose face 1 had not yet
seen, resumed his efforts to read, NUT
tering now and again an impiecation at
the expense of the fog and the cold.
When we reached the glass dome of
the Borough market the train came to
stop, and for the first time found my
self in position to obtain good view OF
my fellow-p passenger. Hitherto he had
obstinately kept his back or shoulders
toward me. Now he threw his volume
down on the seat and faced about. He
was, as | have said, man in the full
prime of life. Rather over the average
height, he had the broad shoulders, full
chest and nervous hands of an athlete.
The impression which his features pro-
'duced was decidedly unpleasant. Yet
save for the eyes, which had peculiar
and Undesirable glare in them, the face
was not an unhandsome one.
Il did not know that we were so close
tothe Crystal palace" he said brusquely.
1.-THE Crystal palacel" I said in
some surprise. eve are not near the
Crystal palace"
1.-THE fog has affected your eyesight,
my friend" was the reply. "Trouble
yourself to look out of this window"
Oh, that |" said, smiling. "You
like your joke, sir, 1 perceive. The
Borough market must feel fiattered, in
deed, to be mistaken for the Sydenham
palace"
Borough market OF course, it was
only my joke" laughed my compan
ion. 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 reading was little better than n
pretense. Indeed, it was so dark i'll the
carriage that to see the small characters
IN an ordinary volume had become quite
impossible. While he was thus engaged
the train reached London bridge. The
moment we entered the station my COM
panion, who had drawn nearer me, re-
turned TO his seat in the corner farthest
from the platform. From this he gazed
with evidently EAGER interest on the
people passing and repassing the car
riage door. As at Cannon street, the
number of these WASH OF great, and we
were still alone when the train again
moved off.
The moment we were outside the sta
ton change came over my fellow-pas-
senger. He threw his book on the floor,
and rose to his feet. Hitherto 1 had,
being preoccupied with my own
thoughts, given small heed to him.
Now. without knowing why, felt my
self fascinated. There was light in
his dark eye, an expression in his mouth,
which at once repealed and attracted me.
Have you been much of q traveller ?"
he askec, suddenly. He was standing
with his back to the door. watching me
curiously.