St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-08-09
THE MAN IN THE CORNER.

THE MAN IN THE CORNER.
had been spending a few days in
the west of England, and was returning
to town and hard work again. traV-
eled by the Flying Dutchman, which
train | entered at Bath. As the smok
ing carriage was inconveniently
crowded, l sacrificed tobacco for the
sake of room. aud took my seat in an
ordinary compartment, which it
seemed | was to have all to myself
just as the train began to move,
however, my solitude was broken in
upon. The door Of the carriage was
thrown open, and man sprang hastily
in. Before he closed the door behind
him another followed in still greater
haste. As the carriage passed the
guard, who waited on the platform,
ready to Jump upon his van, he gave
the breakers Of bylaws an injured look,
but said nothing. In another minute
we were dashiDg along at top speed.
Wondering how people could be SO
unphilosophical as to run time SO close
ly, and risk lie or limb for the sake of
a minute, I turned to look at my trav-
cling companions The first. conner
had thrown himself into a seat opposite
me, at the end of the compartment
farthest from the platform. He was
a tall, strong man of about forty.
dressed in dark tweed suit. His face
was strikingly handsome, and his re-
markedly brilliant eyes at once attract
ell my notice. The second man, who
sat in the opposite corner, was Of very
different appearance. He was short
and stout; his attire was plain black.
As neither of my companions made
any remark to the other as to their mar
row escape Of missing the train, / con-
cluded they were Hnaequainted, and
that the. + simultaneous late arrival was
but chance.
After travelling some little way in
silence, the tall man asked very po-
litely if objected to smoking.
mot at all, : ! said; light up By all
means"
Il am ashamed to make such a re-
quest, but could you give me. a cigar?
] came away in such hurry that left
my case behind me. >
| handed him cigar and match,
1IO biiO4t, to toS tii6 tLiLu OGGu JftuU VI
the compartment raised 10 protest, |
followed my opposite neighbours ex-
ample, contentedly enough.
A small eiyility like this generally
breaks the ice which exists between
English travellers, so as we smoked
we talked Oh various topics
My new friend was ailuent and polished
speaker, and was evidently well up in
the questions of the day, many of his
remarks concerning which showed orig
inality and shrewdness. I congratu-
lated myself upon meeting with SO
pleasant companion.
The man in black did not join in our
conversation, so we took no notice of
him for awhile At last, happening to
look once or twice in his direction, II
found that, although his eyes were half
closed, he was watching us intenuy, but /
furtively.
This inspection did not seem to
trouble my new friend. but /, who am
of q somewhat nervous temperament,
found this fXed and inquisitive gaze
positively annoying. Thinking that its
cause might possibly be our breach of
good manners in smoking without hav-
ing asked his permission, expressed
hope that our cigars were not offend
ers.
mot in the,least, he said. quietly,
but with his eyes still turned toward us.
My friend in the tweeds leaned over to
me. Please don't take any notice of
him. he whispered.
DO you know him, thenPne
''Oh, yes; | know him very well, in
deed. In fact, | must apologize for
bringing him into carriage witch was
occupied. He is mad-man-you
needn't be in the least alarmed
"a mad-manr' | said, startled BY tISea
information so coolly given.
Yes. am taking the poor fellow
up to town. Let me introduce myself.
am Dr.. Wolfe Of the Southmead
Asylum. Perhaps you have heard my
name?'
OF course | had; and as he spoke I
looked at him with growing interest.
Dr.. Wolfe and his admirably conducted |
were all but world re-
Now I understood why | had /
noticed the piercing brilliancy Of his
eyes. It was the power Of these organs
which gave him that extraordinary in
fnenee over his charges which he was
to exercise. AS looked at his