The Forrest City times., 1893-04-28

whom he is asleep although must say he is rather violent when annoyed. He sleeps very soundly, and all you have to do is to be careful not to wake him. He has been in bed some time. l."
 Now I might as we'll make confess sion. am not brave man, humiliat- ing as it is to say it. My wife knows this. I have often tried to convince myself that am, but truth compels me to say am an awful coward.
 The landlords description of my bed fellow was anything but assuring. and I was on the point of .declining, when the landlord, evidently reading what was transpiring in my mind, exclaimed:
 You are afraid. are you?"
 Afraid? 1 should think not, in- deed," returned for was too much of a coward to brave being thought one. II accept your offer of half bed. Bring me some brandy and water and cigar.
 I sat down at one of the little tables in the barroom and putfed away at my cigar I tried to persuade myself that I was very jolly; it was feeble at tempt, however
 The landlord finally made his ap- pearance, and with the aid of tallow candle escorted me dp narrow, rick ety old staircase. The room he ushered me into was comparatively clean, but low ceilinged with poor furniture.
 He placed his hand between the candle and the bed as if to shield the occupant from the light; setting it down upon an old stand he sad, or whispered:
 '.Be sure and don't take the light near him; nothing wakes him sooner than that You see don't know how he might like my putting another man with him, and he's a very ugly cus- toner when he is riled."
 This was very reassuring. ''I shall be very careful replied.
 All right. Good night.
 He had no sooner left the room than I cautiously sat down, taking care not to make the least noise. l calmly sur veyed my position. According to the landlord, my companion was of any thing but an amiable disposition. If should chance to awaken him l knew not what might occur. He might as sault me dangerously before l could explain. l half resolved to pass the night in chair. but it was such high backed altogether uncomfortable chair, that l soon got discouraged.~ glanced toward the bed. One con- solation, my companion seemed to be in deep sleep, for he did not even move. l could see the ridge made by his feet at the end of the bed, and that was all The bed was very wide one The man who had possession of it lay near the wall, and there was plen- ty of space between him and the out side without touching him at all. screwed my courage up and began to undress. Before finishing. however. determined to make an experiment to see whether he slept soundly or not I had left the bedroom door open, so l could make a run for it if necessary. l fixed my eye on the bed as l let my boot fall.
 The man, whose clothes. by the way, lay on a chain at the foot of the bed, from the quality of which l imagined he was a miner. never made the slight est motion. He was evidently a sound sleeper. This decided me, and hastily finishing undressing, 1 crept into bed.
 Of course I was careful not to touch my companion. I do not know how long lay awake, but the novelty of the situation drove sleep from my eyes for some. time. Gradually, however, Nor pheus gained the ascendancy, and being reassured that my bedfellow slept profoundly, I soon followed his example.
 have no idea how long slept be- fore I com mmenced to dream. 1 sud denly thought that my companion woke up and sat upright in bed; that he glared around, and suddenly his eyes fell on me. He then uttered a terrible cry and threY himself upon noe In spite of my natural afcowardice. saw that if I did not struggle l should be killed thought seized him by the throat, and tightening my grasp, l saw him getting black in the face His hand fell powerless by his side, a smothered groan escaped him; but still pressed his throat, tighter and tighter--his face grew blacker and blacker.
 In an agony of fear l awoke, 2; q what was my hcrror and dismay to find that my hand was really pressing my companions throat He did not move nor stir, and his body felt as cold as ice. Great God" l exclaimed aloud, ''can he be dead"
 jumped out of bed. The candle which had left burning was not quite extinguished. Seizing it in my hand. I rnshed toward the bed and let its