The record-union., 1894-01-19
"BBOELENA'S" CURIOSITY.
How 1t Led Her to Make a Start
ling Discovery.
Are Often Deceptive and
Bandit May Look Like
Missionary.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13.-I started
from Seattle for the city of the Midwinter
Fair a little over week ago. Said the
male member of the household, Twill
you go by steamer?'' But 1 begged leave
to respectfully decline travelling over the
billOwy deep, as old Father Neptune and
l have never been on any too friendly
terms. So the tickets were bought for
the overland trip, and one fine morning
started forth. AS the train sped through
the country l secretly pined for excite
ment of some sort. And before we were
out of the State of Washington my wish
was gratifed. But it was nothing more
than a very tipsy cowboy frantically en-
deavoring to retain his precarious seat on
the back of bucking bronco. From
numerous pockets protruded the black
heads of uspicious-looking bottles,
which ever and anon would strike the
little horse with more force than was con-
sislent with his idea of gentleness, and
which he proceeded to object to 1orth-
with. Whether the cowboy succeeded in
retaining his seat or not L do not know as
the train LETT the station right in the
midst OF the scene.
My neighbors on the train were two or
the East, on her maiden trip out West,
and who was constantly receiving shocks
by our wild and woolly Western way of
doing things.
My DEAR" she would say to me in her
most confidential manner, lis it quite
proper to do this, and is 1t customary for
the people out here to do that?" And |
would asure her with my gravest judi
cial mein that it was proper and quite the
correct thing. And then she would shake
her gray curls in puzzled perplexity
and go off and think about il for hours
Besides the ladies. there were several
men, who spent most OF their time in the
smokingroom, but the man who in
terested me most was tall, lank, sancti-
Misunderstanding individual who wore
long hair, a SlOuch hat, a SmOOth-Shaven
face, a suit of black clothes that had seen
better days, and long gray ulster, which
partially concealed the discrepancy of his
toilet. All day long he sat near the
window and industrIously read little
book as meek and pious-looking as him.
self. l used TO watch him after the lamps
were lit, and pictured him to myself as
good and holy missionary on his way to
spread the gospel among the heather,
with no other companion to console and
cheer him but the good little book he read
so ardently. My heart warmed to him,
and l wondered why some OF the men in
the car didn't take up a collection for
him. Whenever my religious protege
left him seat, which was seldom, it was a
notable fact that he always carried the
little book with MIN.
l began to grow curious about this mys-
terious volume; never doubted for an IN
slant that it was Bible. 10 allow any
other thought to enter ones head would
be little short of profanity, L thought;
still, my curiosity was aroused, and l re-
solved to get a peep at this holy mans
daily and hourly companion. Fortune
favored me. The second day out the por-
ter came and spoke to him in an under
tone, and he left his seat in such haste
that he forgot the book. Here was my
opportunity; now or never could [ get
the long-coyeted peep. l glanced around
the car. The gentlemen were all in the
smoker. The two old ladies were nod
ding drowsily in their seats. was alone
and unobserVed, as the stage villains say
when they come forth to do their deeds of
darkness. l got up very quietly, the train
was going at lightning speed, but as
nolselessly as | could | reached over and
grasped the volume. 1t was covered with
a brown paper; its leaves were'well worn
and thunbed, as though from frequent
landings, and then | opened it at the title
page. l nearly tainted with astonish-
ment, for this is what ! read: Seven
L
The Holy Terror" The book dropped
from my nerveless hand, and l had barely
strength lett in he to return to my own
seat.
SO my sanctimonious minister, my
meek and holy missionary, wasn't a
preacher after all, but perchance bandit
chief or a ltrain-robber. As these refiec-
tions crossed my mind l shuddered with
apprehension. The blood-curdling title
OF that awful book danced before my
eyes in letters of ire. ''Seven Tubs of
Blood!' In my mind could see all these
seven tubs before me with their CHASTITY
contents. The Female Fiend, or The
Holy Terror" l rubbed my eyes and
wondered if | wasn't dreaming or having
nightmare or something else equally as
horrible, when in comes he cause of all
my mental disturbances. | look upon
him from the corner of my eye this time
"a look full OF suspicion. Can it be Dos
sible he has been drinking? / can believe
ANYTHING OF him now. My suspicious are
verified, for he staggerS into his seat.
gives a hiccough or two, takes up the
book, but has sense enough left TO see
that il is opened at the wrong place. and
then the old reprobate looks over at me
with bleary eyes and openly winks at me.
as much as 10 say: You have at last
found me out for what l am" Had the
male member of the household been
o1In1 Hirhocf Z