The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-04-17
A QUEER ADVENTURE.

1 had been transacting some business
in London, and was returning by the
afternoon mail to my home IN the coun-
try. Being the only occupant of the car
riage in which rode, l broke the tedium
Of the journey by reading. in the dim
light of the chill December day, some Of
the several periodicals with which ]
had furnished myself at the bookstall
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 q
band Of desperate nihilists, who, in their
own particular manner, we're ievyIng
war upon civilization in a welI-known
European capital. The reports were
aiarmingly graphic, and an air of in
security was engcndered by reading
them, for rumor had it that the ramif-
cations weso wel!-nigh Iimitless, ex-
tending into other lands besides their
own, and it was plainly limited that Eng
land was shortly to receive a special
share of their attentions.
1 read on until the growing darkness
rendered the operation TOO difficult to
be longer INDUCED in, and then unused
upon what 1 had read until, half my
journey being accomplished, it became
necessary for me to change my train.
With a quarter of an hour to spare, I
entered the buffet attached to the sta
ton at which had stopped, with the
object of obtaining some needed re-
freshment. Having eaten nothing since
breakfast, I was hungry, and looked
round for something substantial where
with to appease my appetite.
The only available thing beside the
usual sandwich was a German sausage,
which I began to tackle without the
least conjunction. Although not an
edible that usually INDUCED into be
correct, l had never before tasted it
the inelegant poloDy seemed to my
sharpencd palate quite toothsome food,
and ate vigorously, and felt, as I be-
lieyed, ali the better for it when the
time came to resume my journey.
had a companion this time. a man
who, like myself, was closely wrapped,
and who occupied the seat directly op-
posite to the corner one in which 1
placed myself. In his hand l noticed
that he carried a small, oblong parcel,
incased in brown paper and tied with a
strip of thin string, so arranged as to
form loop for the fingers that held it.
On starting, my fellow-traveier made
a few commonplace remarks about the
weather, and later on, with an air Of
decided sociability, offered me his flask.
am aware that it is not ordinarily adj
visable to accept hospitality in this way
from stranger, and it is q thing 7 al
ways set my face against. but, in this
instance, 7 broke through my custom
and took the pToffered drink, and then,
drawing my wraps closely around me,
snuggied into my corner, and tried 10
make myself comfortable for the rest
of the ride.
had not been long thus ensconced
when kind Of drowsy stupor began to
creep over me, which steadily increased,
despite repeated efforts on my part to
shake it of. As sat in this semi-con-
scious state, my thoughts reverted to
the nihilistic literature l had been read
ing, and instantly it occurred to me that
the brandy 1 had been drinking was
drugged. The thought was not a pleas
ant one, and somewhat alarmed by it
I made farther attempt to rouse my
self from the lethargy into which was
falling, but without success. Suddenly
/ lost consciousness entirely, and every
thing became a blank.
It was only for few moments, how
ever, for my senses returned as quickly
as they had left me, although my power
of action was quite gone. Iseemed like
& person under the influence Of some
n4esmeric spell. from which there is no
escape. In this condition my gaze IN
stinctiveiY turned to my companion,
and | noticed, ss / thought, a mysteri-
Gus change in his appearance. His COM
plexion had assumed a malignant air,
his eyes wore a wild look, and round
his mouth there curled a cunning smile.
As l sat watching him, he began to
undo the parcel in his hands, and draw
ing away the paper IN which it was in
closed, exposed TO view box apparent
/ ~ made of tin. A little hinged door on
one Of its sides, which he presently
opened, showed that the interior was
filled with a species Of clociwork ar
rangemeht, and instinetively / guessed
that the thing l beheld was one Of those
diabolieal inventions which have come,
to be known by the term of Internal ma
chimes.
On beholding this horrible engine of
destruction, which, for agght I knew,
might be fused ready for it's dreadful
work. my first thought was to stretch
out my hand for the communication
cord, and. by stopping the train. ietthe
authorities know the manner Of man
they were carrying; but, on attempting
TO rise, found that my. limbs utterly
refused their Office, and 7 was as help
less as though 3 had been bound hand
and foot. lily companion. evidently
divining ny intention, spoke
-4pn aIg pgNsTlsEs tgmoTe, be sid,