The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-05-02
A QUEER ADVENTURE.

1t happened about seven years ago.
l had been transacting some business
in London, and was returning by the
afternoon mail to my horne In the coun-
try. Being the only occupant OF the car
rage in which rode, broke the tedlum
of the journey by reading, in the DIM
light of the chill December day, some or
the several periodicals with which j
had furnished myself at the bookstali
previous to my departure from the sta
ton.
The papers at that time were full OF |
accounts respecting some startling out
RACES committed just previously by
band of desperate nihilists, who, in their
own particular manner, we're levying
war upon civilization in well-known
European capital. The reports were
alarmingly graphic, and an air OF IN
security was enGcndered by reading
them, for rumor had it that the ramih-
cations we.c well-nigh limitless, ex-
tending into other lands besides their
own, and it was plainly limited that Eng
land was Thortly to receive speclai
share of their attentions.
read on until the growing darkness
rendered the operation 100 difficult TO
he longer INDUCED iu, and then unused
uDon what l had read until, half my
tourney being accomplished, it became
necessary for me to change my tram.
With a quarter Of an hour to spare L
entered the buffet attached to the sta
ton at which l had stopped, with the
object of obtaining some needed re-
freshment. Having eaten nothing since
breakfast, / was hungry, and looked
round for something substantial where
with to appease my appetite.
The only available thing beside the
usual sandwich was German sausage,
which / began to tackle without the
least compunction. Although not nm
edible that usually INDUCED into be
correct, had never before tasted it
the ineleGant poloDy seemed to my
sharpencd palate quite toothsome 1000
and / ate vigorously, and felt, as be-
lieyed. all the better for it when the
time came to resume my journey.
I had a companion this time, a man
who, like myself. was closely wrapped
and who occupied the seat directly OPP
posite to the corner one in which
placed myself. In his hand l noticed
that he carried small, oblong parcel
incased in brown paper and tied with
strip of thin string, so arranged as te
form loop for the fingers that held IL
On starting, my fellow-'raveler made
few commonplace remarks about tn
weather, and later on, with an air
decided sociability, offered me his mask
am aware that it is not ordinarily az
visable to accept hospitality in this wa.
from a stranger, and it is thing a
ways set my face against. but, in thi
instance, 7 broke through my custoI
and took the protfered drink, and thel
drawing my wraps closely around mi
snuggled into my corner, and tired
make myself comfortable for the re-
of the ride.
had not been long thus ensconct
when kind of drowsy stupor began
Green over me, which steadily increase
despite repeated efforts on my part
shake it off. AS 1 sat in this semi-co
sc;ous state, my thoughts reverted
the nihilistic literature had been rea
ing, and instantly it occurred to me IN
the brandy I had been drinking
d1-ugged. The thought was not pie'
mt one. and somewhat alarmed by
made a farther attempt to rouse II
self from the lethargy into when
falling, but without success. Suooef
7 lost consciousness entirely, ana ever
thing became blank.
II was only for few moments, no
ever for nv senses returned as quicl
us they had left me, although my pov
of action was quite gone. seemed
a person under the influence OF SO
mesmeric spell, from which there IS
,escape. In this condition my gaze
st;nctiyely turned to my conpanl
and I noticed, os 1 thought, myst'
Gus change in his appearance. his q
n,exiop had assumed malignant
his ewes wore wild look, and ro'
his mouth there curled cunning SIN
AS sat watching him. he begar
undo the parcel in his hands, and Or
irg away the paper in which 1t was
closed. exposed to view box appaT'
1v made of tin. A little hinged dool
one of it's sides, which he prese'
opened. showed that the interior
filled with species of clockworK
rangemel,t, and instinctively que
that the thing beheld was one OF u
diabolical inventions which have c
TO be known by the term OF Internal
chimes.
On behclding this horrible engln
destruction, which, for aught XII
might be fused ready for its drea
work, my first thought was to str
out my hand for the communica
cord, and, by stopping the tram ie
authorities know the manner OF
they were carrying; but, on attemp
10 rise, ! found that my limbs ut'
refused their office, and was as
less MS though had been bound
and foot. My companion esios
d;y;ning my intention, spoke