The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-07-22
RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1892
Mr.. WANDLE'S STORY.

1t was at the Boston and Albany rail-
road depot in this city that I first saw
Mr.. Wandle. was going to Worcester
that afternoon. The express starts about
Q o'clock, / believe, and as had Is or ~
minutes to spare went into the gentle
mans waiting room and sat down. The
gentleman in the seat next mine started
up the moment sat down, and made
rush for the door, casting fearful glance
over his shoulder at me. Then the door
closed behind him.
He was very singular looking gentle
man, apparently about 40 years of age,
although at the first glance you would
have taken him for a man of go. His
hair was white as snow, while his whisk-
ers, which he wore long and struggling,
were black as Day & Martins backing.
His nose was Roman; his eyes small,
dark. and restless; face pale as the palest
moonbeam that ever beamed. aud his
trembling lips were blue. He was
small man, and SO thin that you could
have bored hole through him anywhere
with two inch gimlet.
But whatwas he afraid Of me for? Am
I such horrible looking fellow? lrather
think not. At least, my friends don't
seem to think so.
NO" said I, "that man has been do
ing something it's something awful.
And yet he doesn't look as if he were
capable of committing any great CRIME.
Perhaps, now. the poor gentleman is ouly
running away from his creditors.
But had no more time to waste in
conjectures. for the train was ready; and
SO, taking my valise, went out, and was
just passing through the gate, when I
saw the thin gentleman dodge behind
very corpulent old lady who stood few
PAGES to the right of me. But 1 saw his
restless, dark eyes cleaning at me over
the old ladys shoulder.
We'll, said /. "if you go on this
train. my dear sir, I'll see more Of you
before l getto Worcester" And passing
through the gate, got into the cars.
Every seat was occupied in the first
car. AS | entered the next car by one
door, the thin gentleman entered 1t
by the other. but he didn't see me. He
advanced along the aisle, glancing to the
right and left, slid into seat. and the
next moment 1 sat down beside him.
The thin gentleman started up and
made an attempt to spring out OF the
window, but caught him by the collar
and forced him back into the seat.
Then you do want me?" he said,
trembling as if with the ague.
"Yes, want you to sit down and not
attempt to dash your brains out by throw.
ing yourself out of the car window. II
you don't want to 60"
"Oh, but do! dol" Then he put his
lips to my ear. You won't take me
back my dear fellow, will you?"
Take you back! Why should take
you back?" And then the thought
flashed through my brain that was sit.
ting beside an escaped lunatie, and be.
gan to feel quite as uncomfortable as my
companion. "Who do you think amp"
You're detective, and my wife has
put you on my track" answered the thin
gentleman in hoarse whisper, glancing
cautiously around among the passengers,
as if fearful that some one would over
hear him.
laughed.
mo, my dear sir. you were never more
mistaken in your life. I'm plain Robin.
son Dobson, matchmaker, Washington
street..
The thin gentleman grasped my hand.
"Egad!" cried he. Il knew had seen
you before; and thought-but, by the
way, don't you know my wife?"
How should l? Why, don't know
you, and don't think ever saw you be
FORE"
"Then you don't know her-don't know
Mrs. Duncan Wander"
"No, sir"
The thin gentleman threw himself back
In his seat with a sigh of relief. Then he
mopped his face with his pockethandker,
chief, and in the act his black whiskers
fell to the floor, leaving his face almost
as smooth as glass bottle.
Hal" exclaimed.
81 am Duncan Wandle, cried the thin
gentleman, clapping his whiskers into
the crown of his hat and clapping it on
his head.
"And Mrs. Wandle is your wife?"
"Doubly so; and I'm running away
from her, by thunder! Yes, Mr.. Dobson,
running away from the aforesaid fe.
male. I'm going to San Francisco, and
if she follows me there I'm going to the
Sandwich Islands, and so on, clear round
the world.
And suppose she follows you all the
way round?"
"Then I'll go round again.
"And if she still follows?"
"lll keep going till tire her out"
For the next 15 minutes Mr.. Wandle
never opened his mouth. He closed his
small, black eyss, and thought he had
gone to sleep, but lie startled me suddenly
by grasping my arm and asking me if !
were fond of stories.
"Yes, Mr.. Wandle."
swell, you shall hear one. I'll take of
my hat to keep my brain cool, for the
fact is, Mr.. Robinson Dobson, when get
to thinking, and when remember what
was, and then consider what am.
why, sir, l feel as if should go mad
Sometimes 1 think am mad. What do
you think about it?"
"Why," said I. smiling at the odd
question of my thin friend, "when saw
you trying to throw yourself out of the
window did think that your mind was
rather unsound.