The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-10-31
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

incident, TO which ] did not attach any
importance at the time. The second
cIass compartment in which journeycd
held no other occupant but myself I'M
til the train arrived at Crcwc, when, ut
the very moment the guard had blown
his whistle and the train began TO get
under way, the carriage door was hur-
riedly opened and passenger, closely
mulllcd and envclopcd in n long over
coat, sprang in. "a narrow shave for
you, Sir" remarked, as the train passed
out OF the station; another second and
You would have missed you passage"
"fcs," he replied, II had little time to
spare, had |? Life nowadays is such Il
rush onccannot take things lcisurely rs
they could ten years ago"
Our conversation turned upon the or
binary topics oil the day, and continued
in the same strain until our arrival ut
the terminus in London where I soon
lost sight OF my companion in the usual
crowd upon the platform. | made my
way TO the hotel ut which Ipurposed
staying and under the influence OF q
capital dinner (of which | stood greatly
in need after the long, firing Journey.
washed down with 4 substantial bottle
OF st. Julien, soon felt refreshed, both in
mind and body, and retiring to my bed
chamber for the night, slept the sleep Of
the Just. The next day started out on
my mission and enjoyed myself for some
time inspecting the exterior OF the great
cathedral.
Upon turning buck after my tour OF
inspcctionI was astonished to encoun-
ter my fellow traveller OF the day be-
fore. He was standing close by the
open doorway apparently buried in
deep thought, and on my addressing
him he gave snch 4 perccptiblc start,
and his face assumed such 4 horror
stricken appearance that was almost
sorry had spoken at all. Remarking
upon the strangcness OF our meeting
each other so soon, l enquired ii he
purposcl visiting the interior OF the ca
thcdral; ii SO should be very much
pleased to accompany him.
He answered in the affirmative and TO-
Gethcr we entered the doors. My ad-
mira;ion OF the splendid nave was I'M
bounded; the whole So massive. vast
and solemn, impressed me much be-
You'd everything | had ever witnessed.
We wandered about Tor, | should think,
close upon two houra, until at last my
companion suggested that we should
visit the cript. Accordingly We hunted
out one OF the vergcrs "a very old and
intirm mani who duty it was to show
visitors the cathedral, and with him
1--WE were the only two people who wish
ed to descend) started to explore the
immense vault. At that time l noticed
that my companion seemed rather
morosc and strobe along by my side
without exchanging any conversation
beyond the short monosyllabic replies
that lie returned to my various express
sions OF admiration.
However, to continues: We pro-
ceedcd on our round OF inspection, ut
times having to admire the beautiful
architecture and the MANY resting
places OF the illustrious pcrsonagcs
whose tombs and monuments lay
around IN such proiusion. Last. but
not least, VIC came to that grand piece
Of workmanship, the funeral car OF the
Duke OF Wellington, with its pondcrous
trappings and trophies. This attracted
my attention more than anything we
had inspected. 1 was lost in wonder
and expressed my unieigned astonisR-
ment at beholding it.
My companion did not. seem very
much impressed, but this | put down to
a want OF artistic appreciation OH his
part,and so took no notice. After taking
Il farewell look we turned to rctracc our
steps in the direction OF the staircase BY
which we had descended lust as we
reached the foot OF the stone stairs
suddenly found ! had left my umbrella
behind II presentation one, by the bye,
heavily mounted with silver, and one |
especially priced, SO bidding my two
companions wait while ! returned to
look for it, walked hurricdly back to the
car we he'd just lett. and after Il rather
long search (thc light was not very bril-
liant at this spot at last cspicd it rest
ing agails. the rail at the back OF the
the Car, where l must have had
it out OF my hand in an absent-mindod
moment while inspecting the monu-
| lnent.
At the moment of my starting to re-
turn was somewhat startled to hear 4
dull crash, Us oil some heavy door being
violently closed. didn't notice it at
the time, beyond the start the sudden
noise gave me, and without the slightest
apprehension made my wayto the stair
case, and had scarcely mounted a few
steps when, to my CONSERVATION and
alarm, suddenly became aware that
the door was shut. My erstwhile icl-
low traveller was standing with his back
planted against the door, and in the
dim half light his gaze met mine as We
faced each other.
Never shall l forget the sight his
counlenance presented. 1t was that OF
4 raying maniac.
Fear almost deprived me OF the power
OF speech, but | managed 10 blurt out,
"Well, sir, what does this mean? Are
We prisonersT
4"You are" he replied, with fearful
emphasis, until you die!'
Taking 10 my heels, l flew along 10
the darkest part OF the crypt, with the
mailman close upon me. On We both
ran nj the top OF our speed, first in one
direction and then inano thcr, doubling
and turning in and out among the mon
uments and pillars. This wild chase
| continued Tor 4 long time, but without
my being able to shake off my pursuer.
At last the strain began TO tell upon
me, and | felt that my. strength was be-
coming every moment weaker and
weaker. and also that my pursuer was
gaining upon inc slowly but surely The
perspiration strcamed down my face in
torrents, nearly binding me, and felt