Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-01-06
A TERRIBLE TEN MINUTES.

1t happened one afternoon last year,
In the month of November, that | re-
ceived telegram calling for my presence
In London early next morning on an i'm
pOrtant business matter. To such a
summons there was but one answer pos
sible, so, with just a regretful thought
for card party | should have to forego,
wired back this reply:
Mr. j. Deo0n, Anderton's Hotel, London:
Shall leave Burtown by the IL tonight,
and Will call on you tomorrow at Sis.
''KNIGHTLY"
Having dispatched my message, 1
finished OIL the days work with ali
speed, and then returned to nv lodgings
to make preparations for my journey
These consisted principally of examining
soft cap and a few other necessaries
into carpet-bag, after which followed
the discussion of hearty meal, and the
delivery of an exhortation to my land
lady to feed my fox terrier, Grip, az his
usual hours.
The remainder of the evening was
spent in Swimming over the mornings
paper, wherein l found little to interest
me. In disgust, flung the thing on the
floor. 1t alighted at a graceful angle,
on whose apex appeared the heading, as
conspicuous as loaded type could make
it: " Shocking Wife Murder in Burtown
Arrest of the Murderer
With mental apology to the pub
fishers of the Chronicle for the injustice
I had done them as caterers to the
public craving for horrors, 1 picked up
the paper and proceeded to digest the
narrowing details"
The gist of the news was as follows
An abandoned ruffian, Chippy Watson
by name, had after the fashion of his
class, beaten in his wife's skull with a
mallet, in consequence of some domestic
disagreement. Having committed the
deed, he coolly put on his coat and
hat, and was proceeding to depart,
when the neghbors and police, attracted
by the screams of the unfortunate victim,
rushed in and secured him. This was
all, or nearly all the paragraph con-
tanned, except for the usual information
that "the prisoner Will be brought up
before the magistrates this morning, and
charged with causing the wilful muir
der of his wife,
1t was now past eleven-time for me
to make my way down to the station;
rather more than time, in fact since
that imposing structure was distant
from my lodgings by fully two miles.
Fortunately, my bag was light, and 1
shared in its pleasing characteristic of
being unburdened by superhuous weight.
None the less, on reaching my destina-
ton there was only one minute left me
wherein to take my ticket and secure
seat. The latter operation, thanks to
the slOwness of the bookin clerk in
handing me my change, had to be &C
cOmpllshed by running the gauntlet of
r6 ho
began to move.
NO sooner had ascertained that nv
limbs were uninjured by the uncere-
monious fashion in which the railway
officials had assisted me to my seat,
than l discovered that the only other
tenant of the compartment in which
was ensconced was a young lady, and
one, moreover, of no small beauty. Now,
am shy man as far as the fair sex is
concerned. Among men, l have self
possession enough and to spare; but in
the pre- -enCe of ladies, that lf-pOssession
vanlshes with most uncallcd for rapidity
In the presence of ladies, yes; but here
there was but one, who was bound to
keep me for whole hour, until the train
should make its first stop. So it hap
pened that. as / contemplated the charms
of my visa-vis from beh nd the evening
PAPER, which had found time to buy on
my flight t. the station, a measure of my
courage returned, and in the inspiriting
words of Mr.. Gilbert, said l to myself:
'tIll take heart and make a start; faint
heart never won fair lady"
81 trust you were not alarmed by my
unceremOniOus entry? | remarked,
with some inward misgivings, but much
outward assuran e.
For answer, quiet stare and a slight
contraction of the pretty mouth of my
mpanion-indicat ng her opinion that,
as a stranger and unintroduced, had no
right to speak to her.
I his to an ordinary male animal was
the moment for strategic attack upon the
fair ones scrupIes; for me it was the
exact Opposite-the moment for flight,
had flight been possible. Ostrich-like,
buried my face behind my newspaper
there being no sand available-and in a
few moments heard, to my relief a
corresponding rustic from the opposite
side OF the carriage as my pretty prude
followed suit. The sense of defeat and
disgrace fairly overwhelmed me for
while, and my eyes wandered over the
paper | held in my hand, seeing but
understanding not what they saw. At
length they lighted upon a familiar
name: ''Chippg Watson" and their
owner recovered his senses and almost
forgot his grief as he read the following
lines:
Tie BurtOwn Murder-Fscanc of the