The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-08-06
LAMBERTVILLE. Nj. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST g. 1884.


money properly-of course-yes! never
thought of making my will"
You must also remember, Tom, that il
would never do to die deliberately, in the
way we both wish to die, without leaving to
the world our reason for the act. You would
not wish your name to be q by-word and
the cause of derision to any one, am sure
and l am certain don't wish my own to be
SO. Therefore we must draw out our rea-
sons for dying"
" Do you know Jack, I never thought of
that ?"
Well, then, first put your knife down
on the cushion there, and then we will set
to work. I've plenty of paper in my bag
and plenty of lead in my pencil, and we've
the whole night before u.s."
tremble of my hard, culver in my
voice, would have been fatal. opened the
bag and drew forth the writing paper The
knife was on the cushion at my side.
Now, Tom, let us first state our rei~ me
to the world for Wishing TO die tonight by
our own hands. If you will dictate to nc
your reasons, will write them down, and
then we will revise and correct tle>l. After
that, will dictate my own to you and you
shall write them. We shall be able to do
our work we'll and quickly
"Quite right, jack; we ought to give
them our reasons. How odd that never
thought of that Let me see; if kill you
first, might write them out afterwardn
I" All, but who will write out mine2 Don't
be selfish, there's good chapl
7" To be sure Well, are you ready ?"
He began debating long and flowery SEN
fences. Now and again 1 interrupted his
flow of language to gain time. This kept
him thoroughly occupied and interested,
while the train sped ON at express rate. He
had nearly finished his long rambling dicta-
ton, when, to my inexpressible delight, 1
felt the speed of the train gradually slacken-
ing. knew my chance of deliverance was
near.
Read over for yourself what / have
written" said to him. 1.-THE carriage is
very close-a little fresh dir will do us good
will make any corrections you may re
quire,"
sat on the knife and reached over to
lower the glass. slight fumbling necessi-
tated my rising to manage better, and the
knife was in my hand concealed under my
coat. l turned round to look at my poor
friend, and saw him trying intently to read
my scribble by the light of the lamp, seem.
ingly unconscious of the stopping of the
train. In another moment the glass de-
scended, the knife dropped upon the plat
form, my hand was thrust through the win
dow and on the handle of tho door, The
train nearly stopped as jumped out, shut
the door, and held the handle firmly. Poor
Raven even then was quite engrossed with
what had written for him. / called the
guard, and secretly and quietly the porters
were assembled on the platform ut the dooi
of the carriage.
Come, Tom, this is Swindonl Let us
have cup of coffee !" 1 called to him
through the window.
In that moment the spell was broken.
saw him look for his knife, then rush to the
window at the opposite side; but we were
too quick and too powerful for him. The
guard, two porters, and jumped into the
carriage, and he was secured.
My best friend, with brilliant future be
fore him, and in the ripe portion of his life
was raving lunatic, and has remained
hopelessly so-insane from that time-onC
of the many victims to over-work.
need scarcely add that the case which
Raven had represented to mo as calling him
TO Exeter was an entire fabrication, and was
invented by him MS part of the scheme
which, in his madness, he had no doubt
seriously imagined would be for the benefit
of both of us.
frequently go to the asylum where he is
90 inquire after him; but the mention of my
name brings on such violent aggrayation
of his disease that am not allowed to see
him. Poor Raven / fear shall never see
him again
That terrible night can never be eAaced
from my memory, and l can never suffi-
GENTLY congratulate myself ON having sc
fortunately thought of the expedient which
answered 30 admirably" Writing for
Lifo."