Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-05-23
A GHOUL'S QUEST.
Strange, Uncontronable Passion of
 a Monomaniac.

Monomaniac.
 One windy morning in January, when passing frame building on Ellis street where large force of carpenters was at work swinging on giddy scafiolds many feet from the ground, l observed tall and unusually thin man seated on pile of lumber, watching with the utmost in l tentness the workmen. With the in stinct of the newspaper reporter, ever seeking information, l asked him te whom the building belonged, and what was 1t intended for, believing that he was the architect, or possibly the con- | tractor.
 "I do not know. sir. am stranges in the city," he replied, in voice oi | singular harshness
 II beg your pardon, I thought you might be the architect" l said; you seem to take an interest in the work" Not in the work, but in the work. men," he rejoined, with a grin, which made his small, mean face, with its lit tie red eyes, absolutely diabolical.
 ''Then possibly you are yourself a carpenter,"I contin led; "a fine trade the carpenter and mason are, to my mind, the noblest order of mechanics; they are the creators or rather the in: struments that carry out, the inspiration of the architect"
 "Ihey do not interest me in that way" said the stranger, shuffling of the lumber pile and moving off, a palpable hint that he required no more of my conversation.
 This incident left no impression on my memory, for, although I frequently passed tho new building on my way to my office, I saw no moro of the red-cyed man. One fine Sunday, attracted by the announcement of balloon ascen- sion at Bakers Beach, I strolled out to that picturesque curvo in the harbor's s entrance. As the acronaut took hold of the parachute and gave the word to let go, saw the stranger. The expression on his face was one of intense, and, I might say, malignant concentration His eyes were fixed on the bespangled figure of the athlete with ferocity which not alone astonished me, but gave mo such a decidedly uncomfortable feeling that inyoluntarily stepped from beside h i'm.
 'I am all right, and away we go!' cried the aeronaut, and the crowd cheered as the graceful sphere sailed skyward. Under and over tho bar the aeronaut tumbled, now holding on by one arm, now clinging with his toes, still leaving the dull earth farther and farther behind him at every moment
 By heavens! he'll get down safely. He's not nervous, unless-unless the parachute should collapse. Then we'll be all right, and there won't be Q whole bone in his body"
 This peculiar speech was uttered by the mysterious stranger who, in the forward movement of the crowd, was again at my elbow: Determi ined to dis. cover the source of this extraordinary display of malignity, l said
 Tt seems, sir, you do not feel well disposed toward our friend, who is now tum bling in mid-air. Is he an enemy of yours or a rival professional?"
 ''IIo is neither. I come here, as every one else, yourself included, young man, hoping that he will fall. I am candid enough to say 30, and presume you are hypocrite enough to declare that you hope he will descend in safety"
 "I certainly do hope so, with all my heart," replied, warmly; :.why, no one bus Q hCho NOulu WISH bQaC wonder daring fellow might come to grief"
 The stranger smiled, but the smile was sardonic enough to come under the head of grimace. 'I have mot you be- fore," he said; 'one morning on Ellis street. l remember your face now. Come, feel rather panionable this evening. Dine with me. am almost perfect stranger in this city, and you will be doing lonesome man a favor if you accept my invitation.'' Il
 consented, overcoming the repug- nance felt, for the sake of knowing more about this person, who was evidently man of mystery. He named an address on Pine street, the hour seven, and lifting his hat, with an agreeable, almost an amiable air, ot which l could not believe his hard, grim features capable, we parted until that hour.
 While dressing for dinner, I was full of conjecture about my strange acq quaint- ance- His name he had not given me. nor had he mentioned whether he was a married man or bachelor. As he had not appointed a restaurant for our dining place, l concluded that No. = Pine street must be boarding. house However, at ten minutes to the hour of dining, l rung the bell of large, old fashioned house, dingy and neglected looking to degree. A Japanese serv- ant admitted me, and found my host seated in a handsomely-f par Tor. He was in evening-dress, so I at once decided that we were not to he without ladies' society h' " ''"
 You rh ust pardon me-" he said, cour- teously, "for my neglect to give you my name. am such hermit, that have almost forgotten le4 coanenance& ! am Albert To Mour, sn American, born of French parents, travelor, citizen of