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

probably escaped from some PrlVate
asylum, for he was evidently gentle
man yet could not understand what
the box could be which he guarded 80
jealously. / felt very sorry for him in
spite of my dangerous situation. l
then tried another tack, and made sew.
eral commonplace remarks TO him to
all OF which he answered in monosylla-
bles, suddenly bursting ont with:
"Do you dare to address me, sir,
without having first disclosed to me
who you are7 Your temerity sur
prises me !"
thought it best to humor him, anc
handed him my card, on which was
inscribed ~. B. Smith"
"Ha, guessed you were a Smith
you look like one; a blacksmith, If
may judge by tho smuts on your face"
Here he broke into q maniacal laugh.
When no had finished laughing he
said "Do you wa2t to know who /
amp"
l said thought I might as we'll
know his name, il he did not mind.
We'll" said he, leaning forward and
peering into my eyes, keeping one
hand on the box, "when You ii rst
jumped into the carriage | was tho
khan of Tartary; but the wonders OF
electricity are such that / am even
now changing; may be anybody in q
few hours, or even minutes" | sup.
pose looked surprised, for he went
on: "Ah, you looked surprised bnt,
perhaps, you will hardly believe that
my temper quite depends on who 1
may happen to- be. Not long ago |
was convorsing 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
off. You should have seen them scat
ter. Ha, ha, hal"
"Good graciousr exclaimed.
"You don't mean it 2"
"Oh, yes, l do; but do n OF be
alarmed, never am 80 dangerous uu-
less 1 happen to assume that charsc.
ter"
Then he sat quiet and was thankful
for little peace. All at once, to my
alarm, he said, quite unconcernedly:
:" 1 feel il my solemn duty to inform
you that I am changing. and that in q
few minutes I shall be the king OF
Siam
Instinctively looked around for
some means of escape, at the same
time grasping my umbrella firm, re-
solved at least TO sell my fingers dear.
ly. It wasn't worth while changing
cars, as just at that moment / heard
the whistle OF the train announcing our
approach to the next depot. Icollect-
ed my things together near me, so rs
to be prepared for hasty exit, the more
so rs noticed the feelings Of his ma
iesty OF Siam we're being worked up TO
3 pitch OF excitement, and the way he
showed his teeth would have terrified
q far less nervous man than myself As
We neared the depot the train slackened
speed. and at last stopped. Just as
jumped out the msniac made q spring
At me; but l fortunately avoided him
and shut the door in bis face. l got
into the next car, which was empty;
and as the conductor closed the door,
called ont: "Here, l say, there is mad.
man in" But the whistle drowned
tho rest of my sentence and the train
moved of betoreI had time to complete
ii. sat still in horrible state Of ner.
vousness, expecting 1 hardly know
what.
At last the train stopped at the sta
Iion for which / was bound, and /
jumped out. As passed his car
could see him sitting there quietly, and
| went into tho station. masters room
and told him what had happened, advis-
ing him to take some means Of secur.
ing him. He promised to telegraph,
but said il was no business of his, and
with this assurance had to be content.
then went of to my friends house,
where l arrived just in time for dinner.
I suppose the traces of my fright still
remained. for no sooner did l enter
the dining-room than my host eI-
claim:
"Why, what is the matter, old man ?
You've not met ghost on the road,
have youp
I told him I had seen some body
good deal worse than q ghost ; and,
during dinner, I related my adventure,
upon which they all congratulated me
on my narrow escape. Alter dinner
yyanA nW aarfv IN had f,laadfno faffuua