The Osceola times., 1883-12-29

out having nrst disclosed 10 Inc VINO you
are? Your temerity surprises mew
81 thought it best to humor him, and
handed him my card, on which was in.
scribed 81. B. Smith"
ala, guessed you were a Smith q
blacksmith, if I may Judge by the smut
on your face" Here he broke into a
maniacal laugh. When he had finished
laughing he said:
"Do you want to know who | amp"
said thought might as well know
his name ifhe did not mind.
"Well," said he, leaning forward, and
peering into my face, keeping one hand
on the box, when you first jumped in
to the carriage was the Khan of Tar
tary, but the wonders of electricity are
such that even now may be changing
may be anybody in a few hours OF
even minutes" suppose looked sur.
prised, for he went on; "Ah, you look
surprised but perhaps you will hardly
believe that my temper quite depends
on who | may happen to be. Not long
ago, l was conversing with some friends
and suddenly changed into the Ling 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
"Good graciousp' l exclaimed, "you
don't mean itw
"Oh, yes, do; but do not be alarmed
am never 30 dangerous unless happen
to assume that character"
Then he sat quiet and was thankful
to have little peace. All at ence, to
my alarm, he said, quite unconcernedly
IL feel it my solemn duty To inform
you that am changing, and that in q
few minutes / shall be King of Siam"
Instinctively looked around for some
means of escape, at the same time grasp
ing my umbrella firm, resolved at least
to sell my fingers dearly. 1t WASN'T
worth while to change cars, as just st
that moment heard the whistle of the
train announcing our approach to the
next depot. collected my thiugs 20
gether near me, SO as to be prepared ioi
hasty exit, the more so as r1ticeu
the feelings of his majesty Of slsm were
being worked up to . yGch of excite
@ ,nant "nd " ,ha .p ~ ne showed his teeth
won,d ] % h.r' Certified far less nervous
ne - ersor Ian myself. As we neared the
fTT the train slackened speed, and
finally stopped. lust as I jumped out
the maniac made spring for me; but I
fortunately avoided him and shut the
door in his face. got into the next car,
which was empty, and as the conductor
closed the door, / called out:
"Here, say, there Is q madman in"
But the whistle drowned the rest OF
my sentence, and the train moved of
before had time to complete the rest OF
it. / sat still in a horrible state of nerv-
business, expecting hardly know what.
At last the train stopped at the station
for which ! was bound, and | jumped
out. As passed the car could see him
sitting there quietly, and went into the
station masters room and told him what
had happened, advising him to take
some means Of securing him. He prom
ised to telegraph, but said it was no
business of his, and with this assurance
| had to be content.
then went on to my friends house,
where arrived just in time for dinner.
suppose the traces of my fright still re-
mained, for no sooner had l entered the
dining-room than my friend exclaimed
"Why, what's the matter, old man ?
You've not met ghost on the road have
you"
I told him had seen somebody good
deal worse than ghost; and, during
dinner, l related my adventure, upon
which they all congratulated me upon
my narrow escape. After dinner went
off early to bed, pleading fatigue and the
next days business as my excuse.
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
depot, he remarked that he should like
to hear of the man being caught.
l transacted my business and as had
no time to spare, turned into the first
hotel ! came to, and walked up into the
billiard room, where met Fred Charlton.
an old school-fellow of mine, who was
playing billiards with three others. He
seemed surprised TO see me, and asked
me how got there. told him / had
come down there early that morning,
and ! then proceeded to give him q
sketch of my adventurous journey of the
night before. Fred smiled, and said:
"Ah. yes, old man; l heard something
about it."
"You heard something !" said. From
whom"
well, be replied, "Iyn tell you all
about it for The bepeft of the company.
Old Harris the diamond broker, told me
last night that be had just come down
from the city. When he had taken his
seat in the car at-all alone lust a. the
train started, some fellow rushed in.
Harris said he did not much like the
looks Of the fellow, and as he had about
forty thousand dollars worth of diamonds
with him in small box, he began to feel
He said the stranger
was strong, active man, and if he had
come to struggle for the diamonds Har-
ms would have no chancellor he evil
IDENTIFY felt sure the fellow meant rob.
berry; so he determined to try and fright
en- him out Of the car by pretending
which be said be did % effect. |
aally,. that the fellow, in sheer ftieht, |
bolted at The nut stoppaee. and leit kim
% finish his journey hsfs alone. But