The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-07-11
CHAPTER v.
BFAuCHANrpE's STRANGE EXPERIENCES.

BHAuCHAMPE's STRANGE EXPERIENCES
When Beauchampe was separated from
his friend at the entrance OF the thea
ter, he felt hand ON his shoulder, while
. voice, disagreeable voice, said:
sGlad to see you, Carrick, specify
hooking so fash"
Beauchampe's face was in the shadow
Is he turned quickly. wrenching him
self out of the reach of the man who &C
costed him.
The mans breath was disagreeable,
his familiarity disgusting.
"Who are you, sir? don't know you,
said Beauchampe. "My name is not
Carrick."
aNone O. shat now, Carrick-not with
me-"
aYou are insolent, 3" said Beauchampe,
Is he turned his back upon the man
with the vile breath.
He looked around, and thinking he
espied Livingston, darted after a gentle
man who proved total stranger.
The stranger entered saloon Beau
ehampe stood moment irreso!utely
near the entrance, then resolved to re-
enter the theater. He thought in all
probability his friend would re-enter the
theater also when he failed to find him.
He had taken two or three steps; he
was looking directly in front Of him,
when a man sprang out of a doorway,
caught him around the neck. and strove
to crush him to the pavement
Beauchampe, overcome by the sudden
ness of the onset, was bent double, but
he was stronger than he looked. His
daily exercise with the foils, and walks
while abroad, had hardened and seasoned
his muscles. He succeeded in hurting
his assailant fat on his back.
1t was all done so swiftly, with smart
swist and blow, that his assailant was
the more surprised OF the two. But be-
fore Beauchampe had time to speak, ere
he realized the situation, second man
dealt him blow upon the back Of the
head.
Whether the instrument was iron OF
wood, Beauchampe did not know. That
It was not human hard he knew full
we'll, and even as he reeled under it, he
exclaimed, "cowardl"
He did not fall; he remembered after
ward that he was on his knees, resist
ing the blows which were aimed at him.
He managed, spite of the blows both
men rained upon him, to rise.
The man he had tossed on his back
struck at him wickedly. Beauchampe
warded his blow, and called for help.
Then hack-driver rushed up, but in
stead of aiding the artist the driver
seized Beauchampe's arms, whereupor
he called loudly.
Half doze.. men ran out OF the
saloon. Beauchampe appealed to then
to protect him from his assailants. Two
or three grasped him, while the Others
warned his assaiants to desist, where
ulon one of them flung his coat open
exposing badge, and said:
"Gentlemen, this is all right W.
know what we arc doing"
Two of the spectators bent forward u
turn and looked at the badge.
Then they spoke to the others In Low
tones.
Meanwhile Beauchampe wrenchet
himself free from the grasp of all bu
the driver, who caught his hands be
hind him with steel-like grip, while
the man with the badge whipped q stou
cord out of his pocket and wrapped j
swiftly and tightly around Beauchampe'
wrists.
Beauchampe's struggles meantim,
rendered him breatbless When h'
essayed to speak he could only gasp.
"Gentlemen-gentlemen! Help me
for Gods sake help-me out-of the
clutches-of these devils. They wan
to murder me. There is-some-horri
Bile purpose-or an awful mistake.
have-friends in New York-who-cal
identify mel have a friends-in tn
theater. I am an artist gentlemen
Don't for Gods sake, gentlemen-le
these meu"-
That's one Of his old dodges," sale
the man who had exposed the badge
@He'll be doctor and lawyer inside o
five minutes"
He was pushing Beauchampe towar'
che carriage.
Beauchampe suddenly lifted his foot
and the man with the badge was k1cKe
half way across the pavement.
The driver struck Beauchan4pe crue
blow in the face with his clenched fist
and then the man who first assaileo hin
struck him on the back OF the hea
again, at the same time pushing him 70
ward the carriage.