The Forrest City times., 1891-01-16

| at the school-house, and SO sat. anx. ious, yet expecting. "to be called ior,' like poor Barkis' box ot old l cloths, at any moment.
 took out my Virgil-for ! en. deavored to keep upmy studies even while teaching-and tried to con strue some lines of the fourth book. Seven o'clock! Now 1 was becom- ing nervous. A little later the out CT door opened suddenly and l heard heavy and prolonged stamping in the shed. Someone had come at last.
 jumped up, shut the stove, threw on my cloak, and was about to ex- tinguish the light, when in walked not Uncle John, or anyone whom l had ever seen, but tall, broad shonldered stranger. His clothing, his grizzled, bushy beard and his long, abundant hair were blown full ot snow.
 Without seeming to notice me, he dropped upon the front dench an old satchel which Ee carried, came hur- riedly to the stove, and briskly rub bed his hands and ears.
 For a moment l was too aston ished ta speak; then recovering my voice, l asked if Uncle John had sent him to take me home He looked at me steadily, and then, without an swering my question, walked out of the room, hoped he had left the sehool-house, but presently heard him lock the outside door, and as he came in he put the key in his pocket.
 My strange visitor threw off his cap and coat, and began to drum in lively tune with his fingers on the stovepipe, while his eyes wandered restlesslv around the room. He had not spoken. save to mutter few un- intelligibe words as he came in.
 Who was this nan, and why did he lock the door and behave so odd ly? It was easy to see that there was a screw loose and l soon be- came convinced that he was not merely eccentric but insanel ] look ed at him i'll alarm. and it was with the greatest difficulty that l kept myself from succumbing altogether to the faintness with which l had been struggling since his abrupt en- trance
 leaned back in my chair and shut my eyes. How would it all end? How could live through the night, for now l realized that it was useless to expect any one to come to me. To besure, my companion had thus far betrayed no symptoms of violent insanity, but had heard that luna tics often become dangerous from the slightest irritation, or it they detect evidence of timidity on the part of a person il. their presence. Accordingly l tried to summon eour- age for the emergency.
 l Iopened my eyes. The madman stood within a yard of me stooping forward, with his black eyes riveted upon my face, Despite my resolve to be calm and courageous, 1 invol- untarily leaped from the chair and sprang to the opposite side of the stove. My strange caller shouted with lnughuer, holding his sides and doubling himself mp with merriment. Then putting on cunning look, he asked:
 Can you dance?'
 By this time l had recovered my self. and saw that must be both cool and watchful. So long as he was not violent could safely humor him, and thus perhaps l might find my opportunity to outwit him. At all events, however frightened l might be, l must not let him perceive my terror.
 Forcing a look of pleasure to my lace and q laugh into my voice. re- piled, "Oh, yes, am a good dancer, :"
 "Um! uml Ot course. Spry as u weasel. Fine cbancer
 While saying this he rummaged briskly in the depths of his old satch- cl, and brought out a varied assort- ment of odd things. There was n bag of pumpkin seeds, which he opened and poured on the ta bic. n long piece Of rope, and roll of clippings from the newspapers, and finally an old pair of dentists forceps, with which he joyously offered to pull my teeth--a proposition which declined with u peal of laughter which 1 am niraid would not have sounded like natural laughter to anyone but my lunatic friend
 Who'd a thought I'd forgot my fiddlel' he exclaimed at last with u scowl, diving his hand from one corner to another in the empty bag, as if the missing musical instrument might be lurking in some small nook
 Then he jumped to his feet gave the satchel n kick, which sent it flying nearly to the ceiling, and ca pered about the room. while his long hair tossed like mane ot a wild horse.
 Cant you whistler" suggested.
 "Sure enough, so l canl Good girlf' he exclaimed. and he began whistliue as he stood in the altitude of violinist, and playing an imagin- ary fiddle, lowing and lingering as if 1t were real. Frightened as was, could not help admiring the precis- ion and melody with which the quick notes were shot from his lips. i "sStep out' he commanded. Strange as it may seem, was be. ] ginning to see the humor of the situ- talon, but, in any event. sho uld not have dared to iisobey him.
 rose and attempted to execute a small shuttle.