Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-12-11
A DREADFUL FRIGHT.


"DoD't call me for breakfast in the
morning" This instruction was given
to a servant in the hall who had just
shown the speaker into the room which
I occupied on the third floor of the
hotel.
The newcomer closed and secured
the door, deposited his valise and over
coat on the floor and turned up the
gas, while 1, who had been awakened
by his entrance, lay blinking at the
light which glared in my face: AS the
clerk told me they were crowded and
he would probably have to put some
one else in my room when the l2:4O
express arrived, was not surprised or
alarmed at this midnight intrusion.
The stranger was man, of perhaps
30 years of age; he was above medium
height, of athletic build, clean shaved
except blonde mustache, and had the
manner and general appearance which
would lead casual observer to denomi-
nate him as one of that variegated
class commonly known as commercial
tourists.
Having completed my mental criti-
cism of him, was about to close my
eyes and endeavor to resume my much
needed repose-as I had to take the
train at a. m.-when, catching for
the first time good view of the face
in the light l noticed gloomy and
troubled look on his countenance. 1t
was evident that great weight of
sorrow, some CALLING burden of grief,
rested on his mind.
His was not the weary and jaded look
of one who is worn out with long
travel. No; it was sad, gloomy and
respondent, yet fierce, determined and
desperate. 1t was calculated to arouse
the curiosity and sympathy, but at the
same time to overawe the prying scru-
tiny, and to repel the proffered SYM
patty, of the observer.
Though at first somewhat vexed at
being abruptly aroused and kept awake
at this hour of the night by this unin-
vited guest and roommate, my impa-
thence had now given way to curiosity;
and 1 lay in silent wonder cycling the
strange man who had not yet taken
any notice of me or seemed to be aware
of my presence. Nothing but excess
sive mental torture and great travail of
spirit could produce on the counte-
nance an expression so pitiably and yet
SO frightfully desperate
AS in gloomy and meditative silence
he undressed himself, with a consider
able effort drew off his trim, narrow
toed CATERS and prepared to retire; I
wondered what mighty grief it was
that fastened itself upon him; what
wrongs he had suffered, what disap-
pointment encountered, or what crime
he had committed that now arose like
gaunt spectre before him and wrung
ready to retire, but instead of doing so
opened his valise, which lay at his feet,
and, after running over its contents
for while, took out razor and began
strapping it on the palm of his hand.
AS l looked at his face, now darker
and more determined than ever, at the
bright blade which gMttered in the
light, and his neck, now barred to his
breast, an appalling possibility flashed
into my mind: Is he about to end his
sufferings-to quiet the pangs of
remorse with the horrible and cowardly
crime of self-murder? Is he about to
thrust his blackened soul into the
presence of his Maker with this crown
ing act of wickedness? Am l to wit
ness a horrible and bloody deed?
/ could scarcely restrain myself from
Springing up and crying out, yet !
almost feared to breathe lest I should
attract his attention. Transfxed with
terror and alarm, l lay, convulsively
clutching the butt of my revolver be-
meath my pillow, and watching his every
motion, as with demoniacal delibera.
ton he continued strapping the razor
IN the palm of his hand, now drawing
it across his thumb-nail, now holding
it toward the light to inspect the keen.
ness of its edge. He soon laid the
razor upon the table again turned tc
his valise and after moments search
took out Il slender vial containing
some dark liquid.
1t was now clearly evident that he
was bent upon SelC-deStruction, yet il
,,oS with counn ,.aI,nr th,4 COW, +bo,