The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-07-18
THE MAN IN THE CORNER.
From the London Truth.

the west of England, and was returning
to town and hard work again. l trav-
eled by the Flying Dutchman," which
train / entered at Bath. AS the smok-
ing carriage was inconvenieptly crowd
ed, / sacrificed tobacco for the sake OF
room, and took my seat in an ordinary
compartment, which it seemed l was to
have all to myself.
Just as the train began to move, how
ever, my solitude was broken in upon.
The door of the carriage was thrown
open, and a man sprang hastily in. Be-
fore he closed the door behind him an
other 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 moth
ing. In another minute we were dash
ing along at top speed.
Wondering how people could be so
unphilosophical as to run time so closely,
and risk life or limb for the sake of a
miuute, / turned to look at my travel
ing companions. The first conner had
thrown himself into a seat opposite me.
at the end of the compartment furthest
from the platform. He was a tall,
strong man of about 40, dressed in a
dark tweed suit. His face was striking
" handsome, and his remarkable bril-
liant eyes at once attracted 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 unaequainted, and
that their simultaneous late arrival was
but chance.
After travelling some little way in ST.
lence, the tall man asked very politely if
I objected to smoking.
"Not at ALL" I said; flight up by all
means"
II am ashamed to make sucha re-
quest, but could you give me a cigar?I
came away in such a hurry that / left
my case behind me-"
/ handed him a cigar and a match,
and then, as the third occupant of the
compartment raised no protest, I fol~
lowed my opposite neighbours example,
contentedly enough.
A small civilty like this generally
breaks the ice which exists between
English travellers, so as we smoked we
conversed on various topics. My new
friend was a fluent and polished speak
er, and was evidently well up in the
questions of the day, many of his re-
marks concerning which showed orr
ginality and shrewdness. / congratu-
lated myself upon meeting with SO
pleasant a companion.
The man in black did not join in our
conversation, so we took no notice of
him for a while. At last, happening to
look once or twice in his direction, /
found hat although his eyes we're half
closed he was watching us intently, but
furtiyely.
This inspection did not seem to trou-
BILE my new friend; but l who am of q
somewhat nervous temperament, found
this fixed and inquisitive gaze positively
annoying. Thinking that its cause
might possibly be our breach Of good
manners In smoking without having
asked his permission, depressed a hope
that our cigars were not offensive.
@Not in the least" he said quickly,
but with his eyes still turned toward
Us. My friend in the tweeds leant
oyer TO me.
"Please don't take any notice of him"
he whispered.
"Do You know him, then? "
"Oh, yes; / know him very well in
deed. In fact, 4 must apologize for
bringing him into q carriage which was
occupied. re NJ mndman--yOn
needn't be in the least alarmed
"a madmanl" I said, startled by the
information SO cody given.
"Yes. i am taking the. poor fellow
up to town, Let me introduce myself.
I am DIR. Wolfe, OF the Southmead
Asylum. Perhaps you have heard my
name ??
OF course I had and as he spoke ]
8LMxM4 a -LN& 49, -sAl ---..- s-4~-~n&