The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-03-13

cific limited recently were two pas
sengers who attracted the sympathetic
attention, both of the trainmen and
their fellow-passengers. The lady had
evidently not yet reached the age ct
two score years, and was strikingiy
beautiful, while her companion, upon
whom she lavished wife's tenderly
devotion, might have been either 80 or
GO years old, if one was to judge from
his face, upon which were mingled in
dications of youth and extreme age
that were at once perplexing and mysti-
flying. ".-
His name is James Payne, and he Is
o resident of Parkersburg. w. Va,
where his family is well-to-do and
highly respected. Two months ago he
started for the Pacific coast, intending
to investigate the business opportuni'
ties of that region, with view to get
ting married and locating there. He
purchased ticket to Seattle, and be-
ing well supplied with money antici-
pated an enjoyable trip and q speedy
return to his sweetheart.
On the train between Green river and
Pocatello his pockets were picked, ann
money, ticket and everything taken.
He was even unable to telegraph home
for money, having no money, and de-
termined to make his way through by
the box-car route. On the second night
of his stay in Pocatello west-bound
special pulled in, in which were several
fruit cars. Congratulating himself
that he might now speedily reach his
destination, he climbed into one Of
these cars through an open end door,
and prepared to make himself as COM
Portable as possible. He had scarcely
concealed himself before the door,
which it appears had been broken open
by tramps, was closed and sealed, but
this did not at the time occasion any
serious alarm on his part. The car
proved to have been loaded with bananas,
to some of which he was glad to help
himself, being very hungry, and argu-
ing that it was no crime for man in
his predicament. He then composed
himself to sleep. These fruit specials
generally run under a 60-mile order.
as this one proved to be doing, and
when the passenger awoke with start
few hours later it was to find himself
in Egyptian darkness, with the train
flying along with terrific speed. he
had been aroused from his sleep by
something having q soft, velvety touch
creeping stealthily across his face, and
struck match to see what had dis
turbed him. To his horror he saw sew
eral large tarantulas, which, in his ex-
cited imagination, assumed the proper
tions of ordinary land turtles. Startled
by the light, they scurried away while
his blood ran cold and his limbs were
almost paralyzed as the Pickering
match died out and he realized the POI
gition in which he was placed.
Young Payne did not dare to strike
another match. even if his trembling
hands would have performed that
service, but he knew that he was in tho
most imminent peril of his life. To
leap from the door of the car meant
certain death, and the probability Of
his fate remaining forever mystery
to the loved ones at home. While these
thoughts darted through his mind a
cold hairy substance dashed itself in
his face, and thinking his time had
come he tainted.
How long he lay unconscious he does
not know, but when he again came to
life it was broad daylight, and the train
etill speeding like the wind. He tried
the door, and almost tainted when he
found that it was fastened, and thai
he was doomed to suffer hours longer
the prospect of an attack at any instant
from the hideous creatures, whose
character he knew so well. The strag
Cling rays that penetrated the cracks
of the door enabled him to see diml,
the objects about him, and the colo
perspiration broke out on his forehead
as he recognized his visitors of thu
night before, and saw that their mum
Der had been trebled. He looked abou
for loose board, and found a small one
but knew If he was attacked TIT
tarantulas would leap at him, and tina
he could not ward them of. His ap
prchension was increased when he saw
that they had engaged in one of thos'
fearful deadly combats among them
selves for which they are SO well know
in the south, and by which they fur
nish to the natives about the same clas
of amusement as the horse race ant
the bull fight. For hours he sat there
facing these dreadful creatures, VIII
neither advanced nor retreated. Thel
night came on, and again he was merci
fully rendered unconscious.
When next he knew what was goinl
on about him he was on a cot in hos
pital in Portland. He had been there
month, and had gone through a well
nigh fatal attack of brain fever. Mean
time the authorities, having discov
cred his identity from his deliriou