The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-01-04
TEN TERRIBLE MINUTES.

non street 10 Spa ROAD ebauOn, on tne
Southeastern railway. It had been O
cold, foggy day throughout, and there
were comparatively few passengers.
The compartment which / entered-a
second-class- but one previous oc-
cupsnt, 6 stoutly-built man of IS or 40.
He was attempting, with evidently
small success, to read a book, and he
fidgeted about on his seat In rather u
testy fashion.
Having doubt as to the regularity of
the trains on such an evening, 1 said,
50 L suppose this stops at Spa road 2"
"Spa road OF course il does" said
this gentleman, with what I considered
unnecessary vehsmence. Gan these
trains stop at Spa road.
Don't thank me, sir, he said, g mo
meat later 81 only answered simple
question: fool or mailman could do
that"
Here the train slowly moved on, and
the speaker, whose face had not yet
seen, resumed his efforts to read, NUT
tering now and again An imp ecation at
the expense of the fog and she cold
When we reached the glass dome of
the Borough market the train came to a
stop. and for the first time found my
self in q position to obtain good view Of
my fellow passenger. Hitherto he had
obstinstely kept his back or shoulders
toward me. Now he threw his volume
down on the seat and faced about He
was, as have said, man In the full
prime of life. Rather over the average
height, he had the broad shoulders, full
chest and nervous hands Of an athlete.
The impression which his features pro-
duced was decidedly unpleasant. Yet
save for the eyes, which had peculiar
and indescribabls glare In them, the faes
was not an unhandsome one.
81 did not know that we were 30 close
tothe Crystal palace," he aeiil brusquely.
1.-The Crystal palacel" I said, IN
some surprise. "We are not near the
Crystal palace"
1.-THE fog has affected your syesight,
my friend" was the reply. " Trouble
yourself 10 look out of this window"
"Oh, that T. said, sailing. you
like your Joke, sir, perceive. The
Borough market must feel fattered, in
deed, to be mistaken for the Sydenham
palace"
Borough market OF course, il was
only my joke" laughed my compan-
ion. But there was no mirth In the
laugh. s'.-i '-l
He now took up his book again and
made another attempt to read Though
he fixed his eyes on the page and even
now again turned leaf, it was evident
that his reading was little better than s
pretense. Indeed, IL was so dark in the
carriage that to see the small characters
in an ordinary volume had become quite
impossible. While he was thus engaged
the train reached London bridge. The
moment we entered the station my COM
panion, who had drawn nearer me, re-
turned to his seat In the corner farthest
from the platform. From this he gazed
with evidently eager interest on the
people passing and repassing the car
riage door. As at Cannon street, the
number of these WASH OF great, and we
were still alone when the train again
moved Off
The moment we were outside the sta
ton change came over my fellow-pas-
senger. He threw his book ON the floor,
and rose to his feet. Hitherto had,
being preoccupied with my own
thoughts, given small heed to him.
Now. without knowing why, ] felt my
self fascinated. There was q light In
his dark eye, an expression In his mouth,
which at once repealed and attracted me.
I" Have you been much of a traveller ?"
he asked, suddenly. He was standing
with his back to the door, watching me
curiously.
81 have never been out of the island,
replied.
"Ah r. he said. "Ihave been every
where-Italy, Russia, India, China, Tim
buctoo. Ashantee - anywRere~svery-
where. I have been near the North
raOta and nrTl&a nj 4ho Grrwrkh
" Indeed, you must be q very great
traveller, sir, /" said.
at have never been to the moon. No
man can be great traveller who has not
been there.
"Then I am afraid that, with the ex-
ception of those famous heroes of Jules
Verne, there are very few about.
Just so, Just sol And yet q trip mp
above this detestable fog beyond the
clouds would be enjoyable. In night
like this IL would be peculiarly so don't
you agree with me ?"
" Not quite" / said "for my own
part I'd much rather be az my freside.
"You would, would your Look at
that, smell that, taste that cursed fog"
He threw open the window, and certain
ly the fog that poured in was bad
enough In oil conscience.
81 grant you it is not pleasant, either
for eyes or throat" said
"I knew you would" continued my
strange companion. /" Any one would be
LAD 70 get out of it. The man who could
Ice sou from il would deserve your
thanks, would he not ?"
There was a light in the speakers
eyes which / did not like, and there was
q movement at the corners of his
mouth the opposite of pleasant. While
not feeling the least dread cf him i was