Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-03-26
A QUEER ADVENTURE.

Il had been tranSactlng 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, 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 levyIng
war upon civilization in a 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 ramif-
cations Were wel!-nigh limitless, ex-
tending into other lands besides their
own, and it was plainly limited that Eng
land was shortly to receive 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 I 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 1 began to tackle without the
least conjunction. Although not IN
edible that usually INDUCED into be
correct, had never before tasted it
the inelegant polopy seemed to my
sharpencd palate quite toothsome food,
and 1 ate vigorously, and felt, as be-
lieved, all the better for it when the
time came to resume my journey.
I had 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 I
placed myself. In his hand 1 noticed
that he carried a small, oblong parcel,
incased in brown paper and tied with n
strip of thin string, so arranged as to
'orm a loop for the fingers that held it.
On starting, my fellow-t raveler 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 a stranger, and it is thing al
ways set my face against. but, in this
instance, I broke through my custom
and took the proffered drink, and then,
drawing my wraps closely around me,
snuggled into my corner, and tried to
make myself comfortable for the rest
of the ride.
L had not been long thus ensconced
when a kind of drowsy stupor began to
creep over me, which steadily increased,
despite repeated efforts on my part to
shake it off. AS 1 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 l had been drinking was
drugged. The thought was not 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.
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. seemed like
n person under the influence of some
'mesmeric spell, from which there is no
escape. In this condition my gaze in
1stinctively turned to my companion,
and noticed, as thought, mysteri-
Gus change in his appearance. His COM
plcxion had assumed n malignant air,
his eyes wore wild look, and round
his mouth there curled a 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
ly 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 clockwork ar
rangemeltt, and instinctively 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 oil
destruction, which, for aught knew
might be fused ready for its dreadful
work. my first thought was to stretch
out my hand for the communication
cord, and, by stopping the train, let the
authorities know the manner of mar
they were carrying; but, on attempting
TO rise found that my limbs utterl,
refused their Office, and was as help
less as though had been bound han,
and foot. Ny companion, evidentl,
divinlng my intention, spoke.
- L..