Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-15
A QUEER FELLow.TRAvELER.
A TRUE STORY.

before I had received an invitation from q
friend OF mine, who lived at town which
had to pass, to dine and stay the night at hts
house; an invitation which gladly accepted,
as it would prove pleasant break in the monot-
ony of the journey. I resolved, therefore, to 30
arrange matters as to arrive at his house In time
for dinner, and proceed to my destination next
morning. When the day arrived I was very
busy; so. after hurried lunch, I packed up a
few necessaries and rushed OF to Euston,
where l arrived with just two minutes to
spare. asked for my train, which the con-
ductor pointed out, adding, IF you don't hurry
up. sir. you'll lose it." / took his advice and
jumped into the nearest car, the door of which
stood open. and in which there was but one
other occupant. 1 settled myself for my
journey, and for the first time had leisure to
observe my fellOw-traveler. Now rather pride
myself on being judge of physiognomy, and
my first impressions of him were the reverse of
pleasant. He was evidently fidgety, nervous
sort of man; he had restless gray eyes, without
much expression in them; while his hair and
beard were of reddish hue. He was dressed
In a hong ulster which thought quite unneces-
sary, for, though 1t was late in the year. the
weather was by no means cold. There was on
the seat beside him q small Oaken box, strongly
bound with brass ana, his eyes were constantly
glancing from this box to me in a way that
did not at all like. i began to have visions of
what. After regarding me steadily for few
minutes he said:
sis it possible, sir. that you are not aware of
this carriage being reserved for state Oficials?'
looked around. and seeing no indication of
the fact, replied that:
81 was not aware Of such being the case"
"Then, sir" he replied 81 must beg Of you
instantly to vacate it, and leave me here in soli-
tary silence"
Considering that the train was going at the
v0f0 of Dho11f rtr rs.iln hnv,r
not stop until it reached small station half
way to my destination in about an hours time,
could not quite see why should comply with
his request, or rather command; and frankly
told him so, adding that 81 had as much right
there as he had, and did not intend moving"
He replied with a most solemn air:
''Then your fate be on your own head"
This began to brighten me, for the mans man.
ner convinced me that he must be insane; and
the prospect of an hours journey in car with
mailman was not calculated to raise my spirits
However. L put bold face on the matter and
affected to be engrOssed with my newspaper,
though in reality / was watching his every
movement. He suddenly seized hold of the
wooden box and held it on his knees. mumbling
some inarticulate words then suddenly replaced
1t beside him. In doing so l caught a glimpse
OF the butt of pistol sticking out of his pocket.
had nothing more defensive than an umbrella
and a roll of papers. which, in consequence of
their length, l was compelled to carry in my
hand. Presently he began again.
'Have you studied the marvellous powers of
electricity. may ask1"
replied In the negative.
81 have" said he; ''and have arrived at such
pitch Of perfection that, aided by the contents of
this box could blow this train and everybody
in it to infinitesimal atoms"
"But, hazarded, chow about YOURSELF"
81 should calmly mount into the air and
survey the scene without injury"
"How?" said /.
'That," he replied, sis my business; look to
yourself"
Pleasant this, for mel However. made some
remark which seemed to satisfy him; and he
lapsed again into silence. felt more than ever
convinced of his madness, thinking he had
probably escaped from some private asylum, for
understand what the box could be which he
guarded 80 jealousy. felt very sorry for him,
In spite Of my dangerous situation. then tried
another tack, and made several commonplace
remarks to him; to all of which he answered in
monosyllables suddenly bursting out with:
do you dare to address me- sir, without hay
ing first disclosed to me who you are? Your te-
merity surprises mel"
/ thought it best to humor him, and handed
him my card, on which was inscribed: 81. B.
'Ha, guessed you were Smith; you look
like one; blacksmith, if | may Judge by the
SHUTS on your face" Here he broke into ma
niacal laugh. When he had finished laugh
ing: he said: "Do you want to know who
ann"
I said 1 thought 1 might as well know his
name if he did not mind.
'Well, said he, leaning forward, and peering
into my eyes, keeping one hand on the box
when you first jumped into the carriage was
the Khan o; Tartary; but the wonders of electri-
city are such that 1 am even now changing; I
may be anybody in o few hours, or even minutes"
suppose looked surprised, for he went on:
"Ah: you look surprised; but, perhaps. you will
hardly believe that my temper quite depends on
who may happen to be. Not long ago was
cOnversing with some friends, and suddenly
changed into the King of Siam, and before they
could get out Of my way bit three of their fin
gers of. You should have seen them scatter.
Ha, ha. hal"
''GoOd gracious" exclaimed. "You don't
mean it?"
''Oh. yes, 1 do but do not be alarmed. 1
never am SO dangerous unless happen to as
sumo that character
Then he sat quiet, and was thankful for a
little peace. All at once, to my alarm, he said
quite uncOncernedly:
II feel it my solemn duty to inform you that
l am changing, and that in few minutes shall
be the King of SIAM"
Instinctively looked around for some means
OF escape, at the same time grasping my TN
brela firm, resolved at least to sell my fingers
dearly. 1t wasn't worth while changing cars. as
just at that moment heard the whistle of the
train announcing our approach to the next
ucpOI. Collected INV Things COeeCner near me,
SO as to be prepared for hasty exit, the mope
SO as noticed the feelings of his Majesty of Siam
were being worked up to pitch of excitement,
ana the way he showed his teeth would have
terrified far less nervous man than myself As
We neared the depot the train slackened speed.
and at last stopped. Just as l jumped out the
maniac made spring at me; but / fortunately
avoided him, and shut the door in his face. I
got into the next car, which was empty; and as
the conductor closed the door, called out:
"Here, say, there is mailman in" But the
whistle drowned the rest of my sentence and
the train moved off before I had time to COM
pete 1t. sat still in horrible state of nervous
ness. expecting hardly know what.
At last the train stopped at the station for
which was bound, and jumped out AS 1
passed his car l could see him sitting there
quietly; and l went into the station-masters
room and told him what had happened, advising
him to take some means Of securing him. He
promised to telegraph. but said it was no bust
ness of his, and with this assurance had to be
content.
then went of to my friends house, where I
arrived Just in time for dinner. / suppose the
traces OF my fright still remained; for no sooner
did enter the dining-roOm than my host ex-
claimed:
''Why, what Is the matter. old man7 Yon,ve