The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-04-21
A QUEER FELLOw-TRAvELLER.
A TRUE STORY.


Some years ago I had occasion to take a
| long journey to the north; a journey which
would involve my travelling all night. A few
days before had received an invitation from
| a friend Of mine who lived at town which
l had to pass, to dine and stay the night at
his house; an invitation which I gladly ac-
cepted, as it would prove a pleasant break in
the monotony of the journey. resolved,
therefore, to so arrange matters as TO arrive
at his house in time for dinner, and proceed
to my destination the next morning When
! the day arrived was very busy; so, after
| hurried lunch, packed up a few necessaries
and rushed off to Euston, where I arrived
with just two minutes to spare asked for
my train, which the guard pointed ont, add
/ ing, IF you don't hurry mp, sir, you'll lose
! it" I took his advice and jumped into the
! nearest frst-cIass compartment, the door of
! which stood open, and in which there was
/ but one other occupant. ! settled myself for
my journey, and for'the first time had leisure
/ to observe my feIIOw-t traveller. Now I rather
/ pride myself on being Judge of physiognO-
/ my, and my first impressions Of him were the
reverse Of pleasant. He was evidently a
/ fdgety, nervous sort of man he had restless
| gray eyes, without much expression in them
while his hair and beard were of a reddish
hue. He was dressed in a long ulster. which
l thought quite unnecessary: for though it
was late in the year the weather was bv no
means cold. There was on the seat beside
him a small Oaken box, strongly bound with
brass and his eyes were constantly gIancinp
from this box to me in a way that did not
at all like. I began to have visions of Fenian
plots, Internal machines, and [ do not know
what After regarding me steadily for a few
minutes, he said:
els it possible, sir, that you are not aware
Of this carriage being reserved for State Of
ficials 90
looked around, and seeing ne indications
of the fact replied that 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 solitary silence"
Considering that the train was then GOING
at the rate of about forty miles an hour.
and would not stop until it reached a small
station half way to my destination in about
an hours time, could not quite see how I
was to comply with his request, or rather
command; and I frankly told him so. adding
that had as much right there rs 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 fr;ghten me, for the mans
manner convinced me that he must be in
sane; and the prospect of an hours iourne,
shut mp in a first-class railway carriage with
madman was not calculated to raise nv
spirits However, I put a bold face on the
matter, and affected to be engrosSed witb-nnv
newspaper, though i'm reality I was watch
ing his every movement. He suddenly sefz.
ed hold of the wooden box and held If on his
knee, munbling some inarticuIate vvords
then suddenly replaced it beside him. Tn
DONG so l caught q glimpse of the butt Of q
pistol sticking out Of his pocket. Here was
pretty dilemma, shut up in a railway car
rage with man who was decidedly insane
and armed with revolver or pistol. while
had nothing more defensive than an nm
breila and roll of papers, which. in conse-
quence Of their length. / was con,peuad to
carry in my hand. Presently he began again
"have you studied the marvellous powers
Of electricity, may I asz?'
1 replied in the negative.
I nave" said he e'and have arrfved at
such pitch Of perfection that, aided nv the
contents of this box. could blow this train
and everybody in it to infinitesimal atoms >,
but, l lhazarded, chew about vourself2,' I
i should calmly mount into the air aud
survey the scene without injury"
Glow 90 said I.
THAT, ne replied, lis mv business loci I
to YOURSELF '''H
Pleasant this for me > However, 7 r,,5.
some remark which seemed tc satisfy hin,
and he lapsed again into silence. 7 felt D,o-.
tnan ever convinced Of his madness tbirl,
ing he had probably escaped from sono
private asylum, for he was evidently a con
tieman; yet I could not understand rrba+
'he ooX could be which he guarded so feaI-
ously- L felt very sorry for him. in spife of
my dangerous situation. I then tried an
o'iief TACK ana made several commonplace
TeniaihS TO MIN to all of which he answer
GG 5,.;tt IN 'Aohosyliabes, suddenly bursting out
DO yen dare to address me. sir. without
having nrst disclosed to me who you are?
I our temerity surprises Hle -
/ thought it best 20 humor him o,obo5
ed him my card on which was inscrihas
y. B. Smith. Quality Court"
Tia l guessed you were a Smith voy
look IKE one blacksmith, if 1 NAV iudoe
By the smuts on your face" Here he brola
INTO maniacal laugh. When he had finish
ed laughing, he said /: DO you want to
know who I am ?''
lie said / thought l might as well know
MS name if he did not mind.
wei" said he, leaning forward and
peerlng into my eyes, keeping one hand ON
ne ooX' when you first jumped into the
diIige was the Khan of Tartary, but the
'ohoeIS OF electricity are such that l am !
Fen now changing may be anybody in a
eW houfs' OF even minutes" I suppose 1 {
0oAeo SUI prised' for he went on ''Ah, YOU /
ooh SUI prised but perhaps you will hardly
e'ieYe that my temper quite depends on
10 may happen to be. Not long ago 1
vas cohFerslng with some friends. and 7 d
uddenly changed into the King of sior,
nd before thew crr1d -.+ - : ! u