The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-05-11

| carriage with malevolent leer of sat
isfaction, as he perceived that the COM
| partment was not furnished with the
usual appliance for signaling.
"All right, gunner" said he, in a
hoarse, low voice. mo need to trouble
yerself You surely don't want to him
convenience the rest of the passengers
by delaying the train
"Who are you, and what do you
wantH said /, slowly clearing my limbs
of the folds of the rug which enveloped
me.
who am |, an what do want?" he
repeated. That's aNing, sir, amt it?
However, I amt a-going to tell you
who l am, an as for what | want.
you'll be finding that out before very
long"
His manner and the looks of the man,
rather than his words, made me feel
uneasy Judging from his appearance
l guessed him to be more than my
match in point of strength, and was
quite unarmed
He turned. and let down the frame
of the window against which he stood
then thrusting his arm out tried the
handle, but found the door was locked.
He uttered an inarticulate curse be-
twiXt his teeth, and pulled up the win
dow with a vehemence which should
have expected would SILVER the glass in
it 10 fragments. The train at that mo-
ment dashed shrieking through con-
siderable station, the lamps of which
ran past in Icing glare, like streak
of lightning, and the man shrank back
as though fearful of being seen.
Lets try the door at your end,
gunner" said he, coming along the
compartment, with his hand upon the
hat rack to steady himself | has tily
rose as he approached and backed away
a step or two while he lowered the win
dow and leaned out to turn the handle
This door proved to be unlocked. Peo-
pie to whom have told this story as
sure me that it ought not to have been
unlocked, as the off-doors of a train are
always locked. believe this is so, but
the fact remains that the particular
off-door of that part of the carriage in
which CHANGED to be opened at once
when the man tried it. He drew in his
head again with an exclamation of sat
isfaction, leaving the door unlocked
though the rush of wind created by the
passage of the train prevented it from
swinging open.
Now, mister" said he, gruffly, meas
uring me from head to foot with his lit
tie deep-set eyes as he spoke, you've
got to change clothes with me, dye see?
l must have them toys of yourn."
You will do nothing of the kind /
answered. resolutely. though with my
heart starting to beat a trifie quicker
Come, now" said he, don't make no
fuss. Ie'd best chop quietly"
Again cast my eyes round the COM
partment in the hope of discovering the
communicating cord, but without any
result. At that instant the locomotive
gave long screa ming whistle, and the
train plunged with a roar into a tunnel.
Look here, now" exclaimed the fel-
low. putting on most menacing air,
and leaning towards me with his fists
clinched, IF you don't do what want.
then out you go through that door"
L again Sdl uOWH
in the middle seat of the carriage On
this the man stood looking at me for a
moment as though undecided how to
act. Then, perceiving my silk hat rest
ing on the rack overhead, he took it
down and put it on. This impudent act
of the dirty villain 50 ineensed me that.
scarcely thinking what was about,
jumped up and snatched it off his head.
In second he whipped round and
struck me a blow full in the chest, with
his heavy fist; grappled with him and
then began fierce and desperate con-
fllct.
AS soon as ever l closed with the ruff
fan felt that his whole effort was to
get me close to the door and thrust me
through it. He was an immensely
strong fellow, but as clumsy as bear
in his struggles. l, on the other baud,
was light aud nimble, with some small