Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-05-11
A Queer Fellow Traveller.

Some years ago | hal occasion to
take 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 q town
which had to pass, to dine and stay
the night at his house; an invitation
which l gladly accepted, as it would
prove pleasant break in the mono.-
ony OF the journey. | resolved, there.
fore, to 30 arrange matters as to arrive
at his house in time for dinner, and pro-
ceeded to my destination next morning.
When the day arrived was very busy;
so, after hurried lunch, | packed up
few necessaries and rushed of to
Euston, where arrived with just two
minutes to spare. asked for my train.
which the conductor pointed out, add.
ing, "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. settled
myself for my journey, and for the frat
time had leisure to observe my fellow
traveller. Now rather pride myself on
being Judge Of physiognomy, and my
first impressions of him were the re-
verso OF pleasant. He was evidently n
f1gety. nervous sort OF q man; he had
restless, gray eyes, without much ex.
preston in them; while his hair and
beard we're of reddish hue. He was
dressed in q long ulster, which [
thought quite unnecessary, for, though
it was late in the year, the weather was
by no means cold. There was on tho
seat beside him 8 small osken box,
strongly bound with brass, and his eyes
were constantly glancing nom this box
to me in a way that I did not at alllike-
1 began to have visions of plots, infer
nal machines. and do not know what.
Alter regarding me steadily for = few
minutes he said /:
{" Is it possible, sir. that you are not
aware of this carriage being reserved
for state officials7'
looked around, and seeing no indi.
cation OF the fact, replied:
was not aware OF such being the
case"
"Then, sir" he replied, "I must
beg OF you instantly TO vacate it, and
leave me here in solitary silence"
Considering that the train was going
at the rate Of about forty miles n hour
and would not stop until it reached q
small station half way to my destin-
alton in about an hours time, could
not quite see why should comply With
his request. or rather command; and I
frankly told him so, adding that "I
had as much right there as he had, and
did not intend moving"
He replied with most solemn air:
"Then your fate be on yoar own
head"
This began to frighten me, for the
mans manner convinced me that he
must be insane, and the prospect Of an
hours journey in car with q mailman
was not calculated to raise my spirits.
However, I putA bold face on the mat
ter, and affected 10 be engrossed with
my Newspaper, though in reality was
watching every movement. He sudden
ly seiz ID hold OF the wooden box and
held il on his knees, mumbling some
inarticulate words, then suddenly re-
placed it beside him. In doing 20 I
caught glimpse OF the butt Of pistol
sticking out OF his pocket. had moth
ing more defensive than an umbrella
and roll Of paper, which, in conse-
quence OF their extreme length. was
compelled 20 carry in my hand. Pres
emily he began again.
Shave you studied the marvellous
powers OF electricity, may ask Z"
Ireplied in the negative.
"I have" said h; "And have arrived
at such pitch of perfection that, aided
by the contents Of this bor, l could
blow This train and everybody in IL 10
fnfinitesimal itoms"
"But," hazArded, "how about your
selfY
81 should calmly mount into the air
and survey the scene without iniury."
"How 2 said I.
"1Iat," be replied, 'is my business;
Iook to yourself"