The National tribune., 1882-05-27


will hardly believe that my temper quite
depends on who I may happen to be. Not
long ago was conversing with some friends,
and I suddenly changed into the King of
Siam, and before they could get out of my
way / bit three of their fingers of. You
should have seen them scatter. Ha, ha,
hal"
"Good gracious :" I exclaimed. "You
don't mean it,"
80, yes, do; but do not be alarmed; l
never am so dangerous unless I happen to
assume that character"
Then he sat quiet, and was thankful for
little peace. On looking at my watch
found that we had yet another quarter of an
hour before the train would stop. How
wished the time away, for l fully intended
to change my carriage at the next stopping
station. All at once, to my alarm, he said
quite unconcernedly:
II feel it my solemn duty to inform you
that 1 am changing, and that in a few
minutes I shall be the King of SIAM"
Instinctively I looked around for some
VI SoIppS, db iIO SssIHC blllc SidSplL
my umbrella firm, resolved at least to sell
my fingers dearly. Never shall forget the
feeling of thankfulness with which | heard
the whistle of the train announcing our
approach to the next station. l collected
my things together near me, so as to be
prepared for hasty exit, the more so as
noticed the feelings of his Majesty of Siam
were being worked up to pitch of excite
ment, and the way he showed his teeth
would have terrified far less nervous man
train slackened speed, and at last stopped.
Just as l jumped out the maniac made q
spring at me; but 1 fortunately avoided
him, and slammed the door in his face.
got into the next compartment, which was
empty; and, as the guard closed the door,
called out, Here, 1 say, guard, there is a
madman in" But the whistle drowned
the rest of my sentence and the train moved
off before I had time to complete it. I sat
still in a horrible state of nervousness
expecting l hardly know what.
At last the train stopped at the station for
which l was bound, and I jumped out. As
passed the carriage I could see him sitting
there quietly; and l went into the station
masters room and told him shortly what
had happened, advising him to take some
means Of securing him. He promised to
telegraph, but said it was no business of his;
and with this assurance had to be content.
l then went off to my friends house, where
l arrived just in time for dinner / suppose
the traces of my fright still remained; for
no sooner did l enter the dining room than
my host exclaimed, why, what is the mat
ter, old man? You've not met ghost on
the road, have you?"
l told him 1 had seen somebody a good
deal worse than ghost; and during dinner
my adventure, upon which they
catulated me on my lucky escape.
ner went off early to bed, pleading
md the next days business as my
eoEe
/ awoke in the morning found
$50 ready for breakfast, and l joined
20 once, as my train left in an hours
As / shook hands with him at the
he remarked that he should like to
the man being caught
- nsacted my business, and, as I had
time to spare, l turned into the first hotel l
came to, and walked up into the billiard
room, where | met Fred Charlton, an old
schoolfellow of mine, who was playing
billiards with three other fellows. Heseemed
c,,r rr,ricoI To Io1, 7
there l told him / had come down there
early that morning, and l then proceeded to
give him sketch of my adventurous jour
ney of the night before Fred smiled, and
said, "Ah, yes old man; I heard something
about it,"
"You heard something?" l said. "From
whom"
Well" he replied, "Ill tell you all about
it, for the benefit of the company. Old
Harris, the diamond merchant, told me last
night that he had just come down from
London. When he had taken his seat in
the carriage at Euston all alone, Just as the
train started, some fellow rushed at his
carriage, and jumped in. Harris said he
did not much like the looks of the fellow;
and, as he had about eight thousand pounds
worth of diamonds with him in a small box,
he began to feel uncomfortable. He said
the stranger was a strong, active man, and
that if it had come to q struggle for the dia-
monds Harris would have had no chance
for he evidently felt sure the fellow meant
robbery; so he determined to try and
frighten him out of the carriage by pretend
ing madness, which he says he did so effect
ually that the fellow, in sheer fright, bolted
at the first stOppage, and left him to finish
his journey here alone. But we did not
know that you were the hero, old man."
said Fred, as the whole four burst into such
a shout of laughter rs 1 never heard before.
" You must stay and be introduced to him
afresh; he will be here tonight"
] did not stop to hear anything more
rushed down stairs thoroughly realizing that
l had been made fool, caught the first train
home, and have not shown myself in that
since. W. b. Il.
LORD CAVENDISH IN THE ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC.
met General Ayerill recently saws the