Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-04-16
A QUEER ADVENTURE.

It happened about seven years ago.
/ had been transacting some business
in London, and was returning by the
afternoon mail to my home in the coun-
ttry. 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 SOC e startling out
RACES committed just previously by a
band of desperate nihilists. who, in their
own particular manner, were levylng
war upon civilization in a well-known
European capital. The reports were
alarmingly graphic, and an air of in
security YVES engcndered by reading
them, for rumor had it thnt the ra,aifi-
cations we:c wel!-nigh iimitless, ex-
tending into other lands besides their
own, and it was plainly limited that Eng
land was 7hortly to receive special
share of their attentions.
l read on until the growing darkness
rendered the operation too difficult to
be longer INDUCED in, and then unused
upon what I had read until, half my
journey being accomplished, it became
necessary for me to change my train
With quarter of an hour to spare,
entered the buffet attached to the sta
ton at which hao stopped, with the
object OF obtaining some needed re-
freshment. Having eaten nothing since
breakfast. 1 was hungry, and looked
round for something substantial where
with to appease my appetite.
The only available thing beside the
usual sandwich was q German sausage,
which l began to tackle without the
least compunction. AlthoueS. 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-
lieved, all the better for it when the
time came to resume my journey.
/ had a companion this time, man
who; like myself, was closely wrapped,
and who occupied the'seat directly OPP.
posite to the corner one in which 1
placed myself. In his hand noticed
that he carried a small, oblong parcel,
incased in brown paper and tied with n
strip of thin string, SO arranged as to
form a loop for the fingers that held it.
On starting, my fellow-.raveler made
few commonplace remarks about the
weather, and later on, with an air Of
decided sociability, offered me his flask.
l am aware that it is not ordinarily adj
visable to accept hospitality in this way
from a stranger, and it is thing al.
ways set my face against. but, in this
instance, ] broke through my custom
and took the proffered drink, and then.
drawing my wraps closely around me,
Struggled into my corner, and tried to
make myself comfortable for the rest
of the ride.
had not been long thus ensconcetl
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 / had been read.
ing, and instantly it occurred to me that
the brandy had been drinking was
drugged. The thought was not pleas
ant one, and somewhat alarmed by it
/ 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 blank.
1t 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. I seemed like
person under the influence Of some
mesmeric spell, from which there il no
escape. In this condition my gaze in
stinctively turned to my companion,
and noticed, es thought, a mysteri-
GUS change In his appearance. His com
plcxion had assumed malignant air.
his eyes wore wild look, and round
his month there curled cunning smile.
As 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 q box apparent
~ made OF tin. A little hinged door on
one OF its sides, which he presently
spened. showed that the interior waa
hllcd with . species OF clockwork ar
rangemeltt, and instinctively I guessed
that the thing beheld was one Of those
diabolical Inventions which have come
to be known by the term Of internal ma
chimes.
On behclding this horrible engine OF
destruction, which, for aught / knew,
might BE- fused ready for ito dreadful
work, my Arst thought was to stretch
out my hand for the communication
cord, and, by stopping the train, let tho
authorities know the manner Of man
they were carrying; but, on attempting
70 rise, found that my limbs utterly
refused their office, and ! was q help.
less a. though had been bound hand
ana foot. NY companion. evidently
oivining my intention. spoke.
SYf<st - -