Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-06-15

LllS TRAM, anu cNC1 DOug An ~ INV -
finitesimal atoms"
But" hazarded, "how about your
self?"
sI should calmly mount into the air
and survey the scene without injury.
"How ?" said /.
THAT" he replied, ''is my business;
~look to yourself"
Pleasant this for mel ! made some
remark which seemed to satisfy him,an
be lapsed again into silence. felt more
than ever convinced of his madness,
thinking he had probably escaped from
some private asylum, for be was evident
ly gentleman yet could not under
stand what the box eoula be which he
guarded so jealously. felt sorry for
him, in spite of my dangerous situation.
I then tried another tack, and made sew
leraI commonplace remarks to him; to
all of which he answered in monosylla-
bles, suddenly bursting out with: !.
"Do you dare to address me, sir, with
out having first disclosed to me who you
are? Your temerity surprises mel"
thought it best to humor him, and
handed him my card, on which was in
scribed: u. B. Smith, Quality Court"
"Ha, guessed you were Smith; you
look like one; a blacksmith, if / may
Judge from the smuts on your face.
Here he broke into maniacal laugh.
When he had finished laughing he said:
"Do you want to know who l amp"
said 1 thought might as well know
his name, if he did not mind.
"Well," said he leaning forward, and
peeping into my eyes, keeping one hand
on the box, "when you FIRST jumped in
to the carriage 1 was the Khan of Tar
tary, but the wonders of electricity are
such that am even now changing; l
may be anybody in few hours, or
even minutes" suppose l looked
surprised, for he went on: "Ab, you
look surprised, but perhaps you will
hardly believe that my temper depends
on who may happen to be. Not long
ago was conyersipg with some friends
and / suddenly changed into the King Of
Siam, and before they could get out of
my way bit three of their fingers off.
You should have seen them scatter. Ha,
ha, hap
"Geod graciousp 1 exclaimed. "You
don't mean itp'
20, yes, do; but do not be alarmed,
[ never am so dangerous unless l hap
pen to assume that character"
Then he sat quiet, and was thankful
for a little peace. On looking at my
watch l found that we had yet another
l.Quarter of an hour before the train
would stop. How l wished the time
awayi for l fully intended to change
my carriage at the next stopping sta
tiOn. All at once, to my alarm, he said,
quite unconcernedly:
81 feel it my solemn duty to inform
you that | am changing, ard that in a
few minutes shall be the King of
SIAM"
Instinctively looked around for s)me
means of escape, at the same time
grasping my umbrella firm, resolved at
least to sell nay fingers dearly. Never
shall forget the feelings of thankful
ness with which heard the whistle of
the train announcing our approach to
the next station. / collected my things
together near me,so as to be prepared for
a hasty exit, the more so as l 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 than myself. As we neared the
station the train slackened speed, and at
last stepped. Just as jumped out the
maniac made spring at me; but for
tunately avoided him, and slammed the
door in his face. got into the next
compartment, which was empty; and, las
the guard closed the door, called out ::
Here, l say, there's madman in"
But the whistle drowned the rest of my
sentence, and the train moved off before
had time to complete it. l sat still in
a horrible state of nervousness, expect
ing l hardly knew what
AT last the train stopped at the sta
tion for which l was bound, and / jump
ed out. As passed the carriage / could
see him sitting there quietly; and l went
into the station masters room and told
him shortly what had happened, advis-
ing 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.
then went off to my friends house,
where 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 exclaimed:
"Why, what's the matter, old man
You've not met ghost ON the road have
lyou?"
told him had seen somebody good
deal worse than q ghost; and, during
dinner, l related my adventure, upon
which they all congratulated me on my
lucky escape. After dinner went off
to bed, pleading fatigue and the next
days business as my sexcuse. When /
awoke in; the morning. found my host
ready for breakfast; and / joined him at
once, as my train left in an hours time.
AS shook hands with him at the sta
tion, he remarked he should like to hear
of the man being caught.
transacted my business; and, as /
had time to spare, turned into the first
hotel l came to, and walked up into the
billiard-room, where met Fred Charl-
ton, an old schoolfellow. of mine, who
was playing billiards with three other
fellows. He seemed surprised to see
me, and asked me how / got there. l
told him had come down there early
that morning; and then he proceeded to
give him a sketch of my adyenturous
journey of the night before. Fred smil-
ed, and said: - 1s<.s--s7.
"Ah, yes, old man; heard something
about it."
You heard something's said. sFrom
whom ?" esEE -
"Well, he replied. "Flf 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 talk
en- his seat in the carriage at Euston all
alone, just as the train started, some fell
low rushed atsthe carriage and jumped
in. Harris said he did not much like the
look of the fellow, and as he had about
eight thousand pounds worth of dia-
monds with him in small box, lie be-
gan to feel uncomfortable. He said the
stranger was strong active man, and
that if it had come to a struggle for the
diamonds Harris would have had no
chancellor he evidently felt sure the
| fellow meant robbery so he determined