The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-02-02

the express engine was alongside ours,
and the driver sang out n CHEEKY
What no mate, as the two "cabs"
came together. Creeping gradually
past us, tho carriages of the boat train
became visible, and as l glanced at
them l could ditinguish the passen-
gers plainly. Five coaches had al
ready passed us, when stood we'll on
the left-hand side of the foot-plate,
furthest from the other train, to al
low my firemen to perform his Office.
At this moment my engine put on n
little squirt, and the two trains were
running almost exactly at the same
pace, the other just slightly gaining.
happened to glance over my shout
der, when, to my astonishment, l saw
a man in the other train deliberately
opening the door of his compar tment,
which was just drawing opposite to
the ''cab" of my engine. Before 1
could recover from my surprise he had
| stepped out on the footboard of the
carriage, and in another second he
sprang upon the foot-plate of my en-
CINE, clutching at the rail on the cab.
while the door of the carriage he had
loft, obeying the motion of the train,
shut with a slam.
In an agony of terror, my mate and
| seized him and dragged him into q
position of safety, while the other
train spurted forward and passed us.
For a moment or two neither of us
spoke. 1 was the first TO recover my
presence OF mind, and the habit of
duty mastered my curiosity for the in
slant.
"Hold on here" shouted, Jim,
fire her mp, man; wait till VIC get
through Woking-then we'll see to
him. Steady, sir ! Keep over in that
corner, please, and thank Providence
you're not n dead man"
"Mad, 1 should think" said my
fireman, as he set to work again shov-
cling on the Goals, while l riveted my
| attention to the mass of red and green
lights we were ever and anon ap-
proaching and passing.
AT Hampton Court Junction we were
switched on to the fast" line, follow
ing the boat express by about six
minutes, and in half an hour or so we
were through Working, and then 1
| turned to the stranger. He was a
young man, clean shaven. and we'll
dressed; desdly pale and trembling,
clutching hard at the support. The
foot plates bit shaky to novice.
Are you mad, sir? Do you know
you've had a fearful escape? What,
In the name OF all that's wonderful,
do you mean by it?"
"Nno; I'm not mad. II was
forced to do it..
Forced to do it? Why, you were
alone in the carriage, as far as 1 could
see."
Eyes, yes, know that. But I was
desperate. I'll explain everything. "
"Wait minute or two; / can't Mt
tend now. Tell me when we're
through Guildford.
How he started az we entered the
Guildford tunnel just beyond the
stationl l thought he'd foil at first,
and my mate had to hold on to him
for minute. When we were clear of
the tunnel, 1 asked him for his ex-
PLANTATION.
81 wanted to escape" he said, "and
it was the only way"
Escape? Who from? The police,
1 suppose? Well, don't you think
you've done that, my friend?"
ono, no, mol Not from the police.
I'm not criminal. Listen, and I'll
tell you. I've got mixed up with q
terrible secret society-a set of people
composed OF the very worst sort of
Anarchists-men OF several Nations.
1t would be too long story to tell you
how came to join it. bnt when once
among such people, there is no draw
ing back. We were pledged with the
most Gwful oaths to secrecy, and ter.
rible penalties were ordained for those
! who proved traitors. l would have
given anything to set myself free, but
1t was impossible.
"WelI, one evening last week we
| held meeting to determine the per-
| formauce of IN awful act. can't tell
you exactly the truth, but 1 will go so
far rs TO gay it was the assassination
as a certain great parsonage on the
Continent. We drew lots, in order
that the assassin might be chosen. The
lot fell upon me. In vain begged to
be excused, tho others were relentless,
and the president said to me:
"George FELTON,, you have sworn
obedience, and obey you MIST. The
lot has fallen upon you, and you must
| perform the deed. If you refuse, or
If You even hesitate, there is only one
I penalty, and that you know. Il is
death, and il is useless for you to try
to escape from H. This is how you
sill proceed: Until Thursday YOU
will be carefully watched The even
/ ing Of that day you will take the boat
train win. southampton and Havre
I for Poris. You viii travel by that
route because il is the less frequsnted.
/ You will go absolutely alone, but every
step you will DO watched. The
"brethron" will be posted al along
the line OF route. At Waterloo two
+ oi the men will watch you into the
train. At Bssingstoke two othors will
I keep their eyes on you while the train
is stopping there. At southampton
. yO1wiIl be watched on board the boat,
and the same thing will happen at
Hayro and Roueu, your only Stopping
places. At Paris you will be met by
two comrades, who will keep Won in
view until the final arrangements have
been made, when you will be told how
. TO set. So do not think Go escape, rs
every movement will be watched. 81"
The train flew on my mate and
l were Interested rs Won NAV roll