The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-04-30

few strangers were to be met upon the
routes of northern Italy, therefore |
settled myself down vcry comfortably
in the railroad coach, which contained
10 one else. The first hour passed
pleasantly as we crossed the fertile
plains of Tuscany and then commenced
to creep mp the mountains, tn dive in
and out of long, dark tunnels. to
struggle over up-grades and to rush
down again on the opposite side.
Some of the widest scenery to he
met with in Europe salu,cs the eye of
the traveller at this point, varied with
deep gorges and rushing mountain
torrents. low and then descending into
sheltered valleys where the hillsidcs
are tcrraccd and beautifully cultivated
BIZ patient labor. Quaint old towers. "A
ruined convent. Il crumbling chutch
belfry, a half-demolished castle of the
middle ages, the graceful arch of an
antique stone bridge and here and
there n splendid modern viaduct are
combined with the cvcr-varying picture,
while the snow-cappcd Apcnnincs reach
far up on either hand until mingled
with and lost in the blue heavens.
by and by the route Gcscend> into the
low-lying. long-reaching plains of We
Meta, where the train glidcS over a
country as broad as Il western prairie.
and where the large estates are divided
by alleys of tall Lomhardy pnplars. 1t
was at a small way-statiun Just here,
where the express train had stopped
for coal and water, that the door of my
carriage was opened and aman entered,
taking the seat opposite to that which
j occupied. | remarked that he had no
baggage with him, and concluded that
he was probably not going far. Yet,
as the express train stopped only when
its fuel and water were exhausted, |
knew that he must remain as my COM
panion for two or three hours at least. |
nodded politely to the individual as
he entered. the mere salute IF strangers
upon being thrown into close corncc-
ton, and was a little surprised 90 OBJ
serve that my courtesy WAS moi re-
turned. However, | thought no more
of the matter for some moments. but
busted myS1if watching the attractive
scenes through which we were thread
ing our way with lightning-like speed.
Happening 10 glance toward my COM
panion, just after we had got fairly I'M
der way, | caught his eyes regarding
me with singular intensity, and with a
most sinister expression.
II was difficult to understand this. rs
we had not exchanged a word. consc-
quently | could not nave offended him
In any way. Still. every time ! met his
glance the same expression WAS mani
fest, except that ii seemed to be in
tensified more and more every minute.
until presently ! saw him take "A large
bladed knife from his pocket and open
ing it, he said, as he looked me full in
the face with savage intent:
Have YOU got the management of all
these devils and reptiles?"
devils and reptiles? Wherc?"
'All about us; here on the seats. in
your lap, and creeping up to the win
dow there"
"Oh! / understand you, now" said |,
instantly suspecting that the man was
deranged, and resolving what to do.
do you suppose | am going to sit
quietly here and let you put those crea-
lures on me?'
by no means" said L. "They have
been bothering me all the forenoon.
Here, give me your knife and let me
slaughter the vermin."
Thus seeming to fall in with his ideas,
and recognizing the presence of the
devils and reptiles all about us, reached
out my hand and almost snatched his