St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-05-16

lave To-Day! For the mOrrow-trust.
@Johns.one Murray. in Womankind.
A QUEER ADVENTURE.
1t happened about seven years ago
j 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 role, broke the te(iium
Oi the journey by reading. in the dim
light of the chill December day. some of
the several periodicals with which J
had furnished myself at the bookstall
previous to my departure from the sta
tiOn.
I The papers at that time were full of
accounts respecting some startling cut
fages committed just previously by
band of desperate uihilists, who, in their
own particular msnner, we're levylng
war upon civilization in well-known
European capital. The reports were
alarmingly graphic, and an air of in
security YVES engcndered by reading
them. for rumor had it that the ramifi-
cations we:c 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
/: I read on until the growing darkness
rendered the operation TOO difficult to
be longer indulged in, and then unused
upon what had read until, half my
Journey being accomplished, it became
necessary Tor me to change my train
With q quarter Of an hour to spare,
entered the buffet attached to the stu
ltion at which hac stopped, with the
object of obtaining some needed re-
freshment. Having eaten nothing since
Breakfast, l 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 l began to tackle without the
aeast coanpuDctior. Although not an
edible that usually INDUCED into be
horrect, l had never before tasted it.
the inelegant poloDy seemed to my
sharpencd palate quite toothsome food,
and I ate vigorously, and felt. as be-
lieved, all 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
placed myself. In his hand noticed
that he carried small, cblong parcel,
ineased in brown paper ana tied with a
strip of thin string, SO arranged as to
form q loop for the fingers that held it
Or starting, my fellow-traveler made
= few commonplace remarks about the
weather, and later on, with an air Of
decided sociability, offered me his flask.
j am aware that it is not ordinarily adj
Sisable TO accept hospitality in this vay
from stranger, and it is a 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,
snuggled into my corner, and tried to
make myself comfortable for the rest
of the ride.
/ had not been long thus ensconccd
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-
6cious state. my thoughts reverted to
the nihilistic literature had been read
Ing, and instantly it occurred to me that
the brandy had been crinking 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 1 was
falling, but without success. Suddenly
4 lost consciousness entirely. and every
thing became blank.
It was only for few moments, how
ever, for my senses returned as quickly
rs they had lef. me, although my power
of action was quite gone. Iseemed like
II person under the influence Of some
mesmeric spell, from which there is no
escape. In this condition NY gaze in
stinctivelv turned to my companion,
and 1 noticed, as thought, mysteri-
ous change in his appearance. His com
plcxion had assumed malignant air.
his eyes wore wild look, and round
his mouth there curled cunning smilc
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 a box apparent
" made Of tin. A little hinged door on
one of its sides, which he presently
opened, showed that the interior was
filed with species Of clockwork Ar
rangemel.t, and instinctively guessed
that the thing heheld was one Of those
diabolical inventions which have come
to be known by the term of Internal mn
chimes.
!; On behClding this horrible engine OF
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 trsin, let the
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 - though ; had been bound hand
and foot Ny companion, evidently
divining my intention. spoke.
1You alc powerless to move," he sajd.
addressing me. The potion imbibed
dom my flask is . special decoction
sWhtch viii prevent action On your part
tAn9 zone time 70 come. So sit still ana
6a1Snl You know, doubtless. what tAk
Ae cnntinucd, pointing to the box,
w33cA h6kAad placed On the seat besiae
IN, M most likely yoa euen wAaa
- at 3he sanns tine. In case You d.
I v11 tell yod at once that I an one
- fhat noblc band who have for their
; SSfret q lie the transcription Of man
ffegn the tyranny q authoFity