Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-15
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
What the Light From a Chamber Gas Jet
Showed Just in Time.

across the water, and chopped the short wave
into foam. But it was into the deep waite
within the lock, greenish and greasy with fas
melting ice, that we were looking. The loci
was a new piece of Government work, ant
Charles Abbott had been sent from Washing
ton to inspect it. 1 was there at Mr.. Abbott
invitation. He was an old friend of mine, ant
as he knew nothing Of that part of the countr.
l went with him to show him the way-an cas-.
task. The inspection was finished and we wer'
standing on the string piece aimlessly looking
into the deep water.
II don't understand how man can choos
drowning as a m cans of suicide" said Abbott
when a man is ready to commit suicide
I reioined, "he is not particular about thu
means, guess
But that green, dirty water wouldn't temp
a m an, would it?" continued Abbott, and witt
his cane he reached down and stirred the bro
ken ice
mo. the most rigid Prohib1tionist on eartl
would shy at that water" said 1 with view tt
changing the drift of conversation. 1t is mo-
pleasant on dis NAL day, to stand on the brinl
of dark and deep pool and talk of suicide
Just then sharp whistle reminded us that the
train to convey us to town was approaching
We turned our backs on the river and were il
the cars two minutes later.
| 4s@
| NJ NoMTNALLY for amusement that night we
went to the theater. The piece was new tc
| both of us. A sensational melodrama, with all
the latest improvements, including real water
real locomotive and several other realities
Unfortunately not real actor trod the stage
that night. All the same the climactic episode
of the play was horrible enough. The villain,
driven like rat into a corner, blew his brains
out to escape the death penalty which he would
have had tn pay. The suicide was very life
like in its rendering. By some sleight Of hand
the actor contrived to dash some red liquid
against his forehead ak the moment he fired,
and one seemed to see the very breach through
which the life blood was flowing.
This was not the end of the play, but we did
not wait to see the crowning Of virtue IN the
last act. We went home to my rooms. Abbott
had consented to spend the night with me, and
leave for Washington on the early morning
train.
"OoEs the blood gush out like that from
agunshot wcund7' said Abbott as we
gained the street. My remembrance of trag-
edy to which was witness seven years ago
prompted me to say yes. An unhappy gov
erness chose the moment was passing her on
the platform of station on the Third avenue
through her shapely head. A drop or two of
the poor girls blood splashed me. This did
not discover till took my collar of at night
remember took great pains to destroy that
collar.
All this and more I told my friend as we
walked through the quiet streets. He eagerly
questioned me about the tragedy, and told
him all could remember of the girls story-a
common one all the world over-too much love,
too much trust and an awakening too late.
"Do you think her death was painfulT' Abb
bott asked.
who can tellI" said L "Wheu I saw her
afterward in gas-lit back room at the police
station was astonished to see how calm and
peaceful the expression of the girls face was.
Some kind hand had wiped away the blood
stains, and the ugly hole in the white forehead
was hidden by locks Of wavy dark brown hair.
Death hardly seemed to be visitor there.
#x#
IT was not until we were within my own rooms
that noticed Abbott was strangely preoc-
cupied. He had not been in good spirits all
day, but neither had 1 l attributed our dis
temper to the weather. Sky the color of blot
ting paper and a cold wet wind are not cheer
ing, especially if encountered beside swollen,
muddy river.
But Abbott was not interested in the drawing
of corks as was his won't. The beer laughed in
his glass. but found no reflection in his face.
He smoked very mild cigar-a small thing
boy might manage-as nervously as If it were
as strong as my friend Belford's biggest
Reginas The topic we discussed 1 made a
point should not be gloomy. 1t was the mar
riage of mutual friend a few days before. But
before we had speculated two minutes concern
ing the bridegroom's prospects, Abbott had
given the conversation funereal turn by dilat-
ing upon the advantages of insurance, especial
ly to a married man.
"Mosr of the insurance companies notice."
said he, mo longer regard suicide as nullifying
their contracts. In several cases lately the
full insurance has been paid over to the sui
cide's heirs"
But did not really notice this recurrence to
the theme of self-destruction at the time.
When two cigars had disappeared in fragrant
smoke and ashes, we were ready for bed.
So
As Abbott threw his trousers over chair
something gave out harsh clink!
you are prepared for prohibition districts?'
BaidL
NO" Abbott replied, and he took out from
his hip pocket of his neither garments plain,
serviceable six-shooter. That's a pretty
weapon, isn't itF he added. am not fond of
loaded revolvers, and my examination Of the
weapon was very superficial before laid it on
the dressing bureau with the remark that it
was safest there.
In five minutes was asleep.
A dream 1 cannot remember pursued me all
night. 1t was full of gloom and sudden flashes
Of terror. A thunderstorm upon the brain. A
sudden sense of palpable horror walked me.
Phantoms of the dream were still around me
as opened my eyes. Sheets and blankets are
very reassuring things when one awakes from
d nightmare. Ipulled the bed clothes up to
my neck, and was thoroughly awake. Then
Abbott. thrust out a hand on
the side of the bed he had occupied. He was
not there. The bed clothes and the pillow
we're cold, For the first time many scraps of |
have told you. but to which |
never gave second thought when they oc-
cured, crowded upon me. l was in panic.
Beside my bed upon the wall was little con- |
enough Dow-for lighting |
The room. You touch button and an electric |
park ignites the gas Ny hand was upon this
Iutton in a second. ! turned it and the room
vas flooded with light. What did see?
In front of the bureau stood Abbott dressed
md erect. In his right hard was the revolver
le had shown me. His face was pale-pale as
dead mans. As the light flashed out and he
aw me setting up in bed with every hair of my
read on end, I Iknow-he put the revolver down
md said-but there was tremor in his voice
u am sorry walked you"
"What in heaven are you up to p was all
,ould stutter out.
"oh, 1 thought would go without waking
rou-you need sleep. you know, and" but
Abbott's eyes went down and he did not finish
he sentence.
The train he was to take would not start for
more than three hours, but said nothing of
hat, nothing Of my suspicious. 1 got up and
Iressed. Then asked Abbott for the revolver.