The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-11-15
A THRILLING EPISODE.

Blind men, however sharpened their
remaining senses may become, would
not exactly be selected as the fittest
agents for the purpose in which l
once found myself engaged. Still,
there is no knowing to what they
may have TO put their wits, and al
though have no pretensions to be-
ing sharper than the rest OF my fell
low sufferers, or claim the possession
OF any especial dodginess, yet there
is no doubt when one has TO rely very
persistently on all ones faculties in
order TO keep fairly abreast OF ordin-
airy mortals, it is wonderful how quick
the apprehension and the power of
drawing conclusions become. You
are not concerned with the history
of my infirmty-how lost my sight
and SO forth--it is enough for the
present purpose il say that have
been blind for some twenty years
that ] have grown quite accustomed
and reconciled TO my fate and with
out making light OF it, have ceased
to think about it or regard it as in
terfering materially with the ordin-
airy conduct of daily life.
Very well, then. I CHANGED some
three years ago to be staying with
some friends in their country house
not very far from London, but never
theless situated in a delightful rural
and secluded district. My host and
hostess lived ingood style, kept much
company and entertained in munif-
Gent fashion. Most OF their friends,
too, were wealthy, and the jewelry, as
was told, which occasionally spark
led within those hospitable walls.
represented large sums Of money. 1t
was thoroughly easy-going estab-
lishment. Meals were made movable
festivals to suit the varied arrange
ments which n constant programme
OF amusement sometimes entailed.
The month was August, the wealth
err was fine and hot and on the par
ticular evening in question it so hap
pened the dinner was to partake of
the character of supper, to suit the
con, enience Of the house party who
were going OH some picnic boatingex-
cursion on the neighboring Thames.
Now / did not Join them for two
reasons-frstly, because wanted to
enjoy the quiet and peace OF the
house, gardens and strawberries when
entirely deserted; secondly, because,
always q bad sleeper. / had been
more than usually wakeiul for some
nights, and determined to go to
bed early and TO take a certain mar
cotic which had been recommended
as quite harmless and exceedingly
pleasant. Ii consisted OF powder
and the directions said il was to be
mixed with a pint bottle Of light
claret, glass or two OF which might
be taken on going TO bed or In the
course OF the night, IL occasion re-
quired. Early in the evening Sc
cured the wine from the butler and
myself mixed IL with the drug by sim
ply shooting the latter dexterously
into the bottle. Then / shook It,
corked it and stood il on the bed
table with a large claret-glass, to be
ready for use when retired tor the
night. This did, as proposed, n
little before ten, at which time was
the sole occupant of the house, with
the exception of the servants. Their
quarters, with kitchens. etc. lay at
the extreme opposite wing from that
in which my bedroom was situated.
Thus, IA crept up the main stair
case with the aid of my stick, and by
feeling the well-known landmarks
by which / am always able to guide
myself after very littlepractice along
passages and corridors, my footsteps
echoed strangely and was conscious
that an unusual air of solitude per-
vaded the place OF course the
Autumn twilight had faded into night
by this time, but that made no diff
ference 60 me and equally, of course,
carried no chamber candle. Some
how, never the less, had otran,re
feeling ofnot quite. liking the solitude
IA sensation akin TO nervousness,
suppose itwould becalled. Unaccu +