The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-05-20
A QUEER FELLOW TRAVELLER.
A True story.

QUEEh fELLVW IhAVELEts
A True story.
Some years ago 1 had occasion to take
long journey to the north-a journey
which would involve my travelling all
night. A few days before had re-
ceived an invitation from a friend of
mine, who lived at town which l had
to pass, to dine and stay the night at his
house; an invitation which gladly &C.
cepted, as it would prove pleasant
break in the monotony of the journey.
/ resolved therefore to so arrange matters
as to arrive at his house in time for din
ner, and proceed to my destination next
morning. When the day arrived l was
very busy; so, after hurried lunch,
packed up a few necessaries and rushed
off to Euston, where arrived with just
two minutes to spare. l asked for my
train, which the guard pointed out, add
ing: IF you don't hurry up, sir,
you'll lose it." took his advice, and
jumped into the nearest first-class COM
partment, the door of which stood open,
and in which there was but one other
occupant. l settled myself for my
journey, and for the first time had leisure
to observe my fellow-traveler. Now, /
rather pride myself on being judge of
physiognomy, and my first Impressions
of him were the reverse of pleasant.
He was evidently fidgety, nervous sort
of man; he had restless gray eyes,
without much expression in them, while
his hair and beard were of a reddish
hue. He was dressed in long ulster,
which l thought quite unnecessary; for
though it was late in the year the
weather was by no means cold. There
was ON the seat beside him small oaken
box, strongly bound with brass; and his
eyes were constantly glancing from this
box to me in a way that l did not at all
like. began to have visions of Fenian
plots, internal machines. and l do not
know what. After regarding me steadi-
~ for few minutes, he said:
"Is it possible, sir, that you are not
aware Of this carriage being reserved for
State officialsP"
Hooked around, and seeing no indi-
cation of the fact, replied that:
Il was not aware of such being the
case"
"Then, sir" he replied, 81 must beg
of you instantly to vacate it, and leave
me here in solitary silence"
Considering that the train was then
going at the rate of about forty miles an
hour, and would not stop until itreached
a small station halfway to my destina-
ton in about an hours time, could not
quite see how was to comply with his
request, or rather command; and l frank
ly told him so, adding that II had as
much right there as he had, and did not
intend moving"
He replied with most solemn air:
"Then your fate be on your own
head.n
This began to brighten me, for the
mans manner convicted me that he must
be insane; and the prospect of an hours
journey shut up in first-class railway
carriage with mailman was not calcu-
lated to raise my spirits. However, 1
put a bold face on the matter, and affect
ed to be engrossed with my newspaper,
though in reality / was watching his
every movement. He suddenly seized
hold of the wooden box and held it on
his knees, mumbling some inarticulate
words, then suddenly replaced it beside
him. In doing SO caught glimpse of
the butt of pistol sticking out Of his
pocket. Here was a pretty dilemma;
shut up in railway carriage with man
who was decidedly insane, and armed
with revolver or pistol; while had
nothing more defensive than an umbrella
and roll of papers, which, in consc-
quence of their length, / was compelled
TO carry in my hand. Presently he be-
gan again:
Have you studied the marvellous pow
ers of electricity, may askp"
Ireplied in the negative.
Il have" said he; land have arrived
at such pitch of perfection that. aided
by the contents of this box, / could blow
this train. and everybody in it, into in
finitesimal Atoms
But" hazarded, show about YOUR
sclfpn
81 should calmly mount into the air
and survey the scene without injury"
"Howr' said /.
That" he replied, sis my business;
look to.yoursef."
Pleasant this, for mel However,
hinttC SOiAlC ACiuatA SCCll1ctl W
satisfy him. and he lapscd again into
silence. l felt more than ever convinced
of his madness. thinking he had proba-
bly, escaped from some private asylum,
for he was evidently gentleman; vet
could not understand what the box
could be which he guarded SO iealously.
felt sorry for him, in spite of my dan
gerous situation. / then tried another
tack, and made several commonplace re-
marks to him; to all of which he an
swered in monosyllables, suddenly burst
ing out with:
do you dare to address me, sir, with
out having first disclosed to me who You
are? Your temerity surprises mer'
/ thought it best to humor him, and
handed him my card, on which was
inscribed u. B. Smith. Quality Court"
"Ha, guessed youwere Smith; you