The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-20

Raven was dramatically impressive,
thought Us we parted, and / arranged
my work so as to DO able to keep my
appointment. I was only Just in time
to catch Raven, who hastily opened the
door Of the RAILWAY carriage.
Jump in Jack; Jump in. A half
crown to the guard has secured the
compartment for lis all the way down,
30 we shall have it all to ourselves with
out fear of interruption. Times up;
you have to run it fine. Fire away!"
He flung in my bag and the several
rugs, ETC., and he entered. The guard
touched his hat and shut the door with
Q bang.
"This door is unlocked, guard" said
Yes, sir-side nearest the platform
is always unlocked" remarked to Ha-
ven. In case of accident it would be
impossible for us to escape from this
carriage"
1T doesn't matter" he said, and then
relapsed into silence.
For about twenty minutes he 70.
manned opposite to nue., sometimes with
his eyes closed, sometimes with his
eyes fixed upon mo in the most unpleas-
ant manner. Ali my endeavors to draw
him into conversation failed, and after
some time gave them up and also re-
lapsed into silence
Suddenly he arose from his seat, and
drew from inside of his overcoat long
and pointed knife, which flashed omin.
OuSlv in the lamDlirLt,
Jack Dawson, We must both OF us
die tonight, said he, calmly and DELHI
erately, without any excitement of mon.
ner. II feel that the time has come
Tor us both to quit this vale of tears"
Eyes, I quite agree With you, Tom
Raven, 1 replied (secing what had hap
pened) in as calm voice rs his own. II
have long Thought that life was becom-
ing very undesirable; and to leave it in
your company, with you, my Oldest and
warmest friend, would be the most
agreeable thing that could happen. But
you are not married, Tom"
THANK heaven, mol"
Remember, am married; and, had
You given me notice of this wish Of
yours before starting, I would have
made arrangements and have spoken to
my wife to prepare her. Have you
made your will?"
''No, have not"
Good heaven, man! not make your
will! Tom, it is absolutely necessary
for both of us to make our wills before
We die. have not made mine, and
should not like to leave tho world with
the chances Of my wife and child go ing
to the workhouse, or to be chargeable
on the parish after my death. You
would wish to leave your money to
some one in paticular-is it not so?"
vi course should like to leave my
money properly-of course-yes! new
er thought of making my will"
YOU must also remember, Tom, that
it would never do to die, without leav-
ing to the world our reason for the net.
You would not wish your name to be a
by-word and be a cause of derision to
any one. am sure; and 1 am certain
don't wish my own to be so. Therefore,
We must draw out our reasons for
dying"
DO you know, Jack, I never thought
of tbat?"
"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 nv pen
Gil, and we've the whole night before
u.s."
A tremble of the hand, culver in nv
voice, would have been fatal. Iopened
the bag and drew forth the writing pa
per. The knife was on the cushion at
my side.
"Now, Tom, let us first state the rea-
sons to the world for wishing to die to-
night by our own hands. If you will
dictate to me your reasons will write
them down and then we will revise and
correct them. After that I will die
tate my own to you. and you shall
write them. We shall be able to do our
our work we'll and quickly"
:. Quite right, Jack. We ought to give
them our reasons. How odd never
thought of that! Let me see; if kill
you first might write them out after
ward"
"Ah, but who will write out mine ?
Don't he selfish, there's good chap. "
ITO be sure! Well. are you ready?"
He began debating long and flowery
sentences. Now and again I interrupted
his flow of language to gain time. This
kept him thoroughly occupied and in.
terested, while the train sped on ut ex-
press rate: He had nearly finished his
long, rambling dlctation, when, to my
inexpressible delight, felt the speed OF
tho train slackening. knew my chance
OF deliverance was near.
Read over for yourself what I have
written" said to HIM. "The carriage
is very close-a little fresh air will dc
us good. I will make any correction you
may require"
sat on the knife and reached over to
lower the glass. A slight fumbline
necessitated my rising to manage
better and the knife was in my left
hand, concealed under my coat.
1 turned around to look at my
poor old friend, and saw him trying in
tently trying toread my scribble by the
light of the lamp, seemingly uncon.
scious of the stopping Of the train. In
another moment the glass descended,
the knife dropped upon the platform,
my hand was thrust through the win.
dow and on the handle of the door.
The train nearly stopped as jumped
out, shut the door and held the handle
firmly. Poor Raven was then quite
engrossed with what had written for
hun. ! called the guard, and secretly
and quietly the porters were assembled
over the platform at the door of the car.
rage.
Come, Tom, this is swindon!" Let
us have cup Of coffee!" called to him
through the window.
In that moment the spell was broken.
l saw him look for his knife, then rush
to the window at the opposite side, but
We were too quick and too powerful
9or him. The guard. two porters and