Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-15
miscellaneous.
Sudden White Hair.

to make his grand entry into Vienna. the
old sexton of St. Josepb's Cathedral was
much troubled in his mind. Upon such
occasions it had been his custom to take
his stand on the pinnacle OF the town and
wave flag as the imperial pageant passed
by; but he felt that age had so weakened
his nerve that he dared not again attempt
the perilous performance. After think
ing the matter over. he came 10 the con-
clusion thai he must find substitute !;
and knowing bis pretty daughter had
plenty # stalwart suitors. the old fellow
publicly announced that the man who
could take his place successfully should be
his son-in-law.
To his intense disgust. the offer was at
once accepted by Gabriel Pefersheim, his
special aversion, and the special favorite
Of the girl, who saw not with her father 5
eyes On the appointed day, Vienna
opened its gates to the new-made Emper-
or; but it was evening. or near upon even
ing, when the Young fiag-bearer welcomed
the procession from St. Joseph's Tower.
His task performed, Gabriel would have
descended from the airy height, but found
his way barred Two wretches had done
the treacherous sections bidding, and
closed the trap-door of the upper stair
way, leaving the brave youth to choose
between precipitating himself on the
pavement below. or elinging the cold
night through TO the slender spire. with
but 10 inches of foothold. lie chose
possible life to certain death but when
rescue came with the morning. his eyes
were sunken and dim, his cleeks yellow
and wriDkled. his curly locks as white as
snow. Gilbert Petersheim had won his
bride at fearful cost.
Believing fortune might be easily won
in the oil country, ayoung Bostonian went
there to enrich himself. One stormy night
a glare in the sky told him that an oil
tank was on fire a few miles Oft; and.
knowing that after time the oil would
boil up and flow over the side of the tank,
he made for hill to witness the specta-
Gle shes coming!'' man shouted.
There was rumbling sound. and then the
burning oil shot up from the tank, boiled
over its sides and floated down the
creek. destroying everything in its way
and setting fire to a second tank.
Curiosity getting the better OF discretion,
he ran to the ground in the rear of the
tanks. to get better view, and in trying
to avoid pool of buring oil fell into
mudhole, and stuck fast therein. Strug
Cling till he could struggle no longer. he
lay back exhausted, watching the pillows
of smoke srrging upward and floating
away into space.
Suddenly his ears were startled by the
sound of cannon-firing; column of fame
and smoke shot up from one of the tanks.
and he was stricken almost senseless with
the knowledge that the pipe line men"
were canonading the first tank. to draw
off the oil, and so prevent another over
flow. lie tried to shout, but the words
would not come. A little stream of burn
ing oil ran slowly but surely towards him
He watched it creeping on until it was al
most upon him; then in a moment all was
dark. When he came back to conscious
ness, he found himself in his own room.
surrounded by 1.-THE boys" who bad seen
him just in time II save him. 1t was a
weary while before he was himself again,
and then he was inclined to doubt il he
was himself, for his once dark hair was
perfectly white.
Instances have not been wanting of the
hair being deprived of its color in n few
minutes. The homecoming of the King
of Naples after the Congress of Laybach
was celebrated with much public rejoicing.
To do the occasion honor, the manager of
the San Carlo theatre produced a grand
NEUROLOGICAL pageant, in which an alter
ward well-known opera singer made his
debut in the character of Jupiter. The
stage thunder rolled. the lightning
flashed, as the clympian monarch descend
ed on his cloud-supported throne. Sud
denly. screams of horror rang through
the house; the Queen tainted. and all was
uproar and CONSERVATION. until the voice
of the King was heard above the din, cry
ing ''lf any one shouts or screams again.
I'll have that person shot,
Something had gone wrong with the
machinery before the clouds had descend
ed 10 feet and Jupiter had fallen through.
Fortunately a strong iron wire or
rope caught his cloak. and, uncoiling
with his weight. let him down by de-
grees. But workman falling with him
was impa,ed upon a strong iron spike sup
porting the scenery. In ten minrtes or
so they reached the ground. the workman
dead. the singer dazed, but able to thank
heaven on his knees for his escape; and
then the awe stricken people saw that the
black haired deity had become trans
formed into a white haired mortal, whose
youthful features formed a strange con-
trast to their venerable-looking crown.
Staff-Surgeon Parry. while serving in
India during the mutiny, saw a strange
sight. Among the prisoners taken in a
skirmish at Chamda was a sepoy of the
Bengal army. lie was brought be .ore tt e
authorities, and put to the question. Fully
alive to his position. the Bengalee stood
almost stupefied with fear. trembling
greatly with horror and despair plainly
depicted on his countenance. While the
examination was proceeding, the bystand-
ers were startled by the sergeant in
charge of The prisoner exclaim;ng: "Iie
is turning gray All eyes were turned
on the unfortunate man. watching with
wondering interest the change coming
upon his splendid glossy jet-black locks.
In half an hour they were of uniform
grayish hue.
Some years ago, a young lady who was
anxiously awaiting the coming of her hus-
band elect received letter conveying the
sad tidings of his shipwreck and death
She instantly fell to the ground insensi-
bic, and so remained for five hours. On
the following morning her sister saw that
her hair, which had been previously of a
rich brown color. had become as white as
cambria handkerchief. her eyebrows and
evelashes retaining their natural color
Affer a while the whifeped hair foil off