The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-02-26

crat. The lady had evidently not YET
reached the age Of two-score years ana
was strlkingly beautiful. while her
companion. upon whom she layished
4 wlfe's tender devotion. might have
been either 30 or co years old. II one
were 10 Judge from his face upon
which were mingled indications OF
youth and extreme age that we're at
once perplexing and mystltying. HIS
eyes were large. dark and lustrous. his
complexion clear. though deadly pale
sharp lines dishgured his otherwise at
lractlye features. and there was
quick, nervous movement OF head and |
hands that suggested palsy. Those
who we're permitted 10 hear this mans
strange story ceased 60 wonder that
bis countenance was furrowed as by
age. and marveled that he lived TO re-
late his horrible experience. His name
Il James Payne. and he Is a 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 busi-
ness opportunities Of that region. with
a view OF getting married and locating
there. He purchased a ticket for
Seattle and. being well supplied with
money, anticipated an enjoyable trip
and a speedy return to his sweetheart.
On the train beiweean Green River and
Pocatello his pockets we're picked and
money, ticket and everything stolen.
lie was even unable TO telegraph home
for money. having no money. and de-
termined TO make his way through by
the boN-ear route. On the second night
OF his stay In pocatello a west-bound
special pulled In. In which were several
fruit cars congratulating himself that
he might now speedily reach his des-
iinaiion. he climbed into one OF these
cars through an open end door and
prepared 10 make himself a. comfort
able az possible He had scarcely con-
eealed himself when the door. which
Il appeared had been broken open
by tramps. was closed and sealed. but
this did not az the time occasion any
serious alarm on his part The car
proved 10 have been loaded with ba.
nanas, TO some OF which he was glad
20 help himself. being very hungry.
and arguing that Il was no crime for
a man In his predlcament. lie then
composed himself 10 sleep. These fruit
specials generally run under a sixty
mile order as this one proved TO be
doing. and when the passenger awoko
with a start a few hours later Il was
10 ind himself IN Egyptian darkness.
with the train flying along with ter
rife speed. lie had been aroused from
his sleep by something having a soft.
velvety touch creeping stealthily
across his face. and struck a match 10
see what had disturbed him. To his
horror he saw several large tarantulas.
which. In bic excited Imagination. as
sumed the proportions Of ordinary
land turtles Startled by the light.
they scurricd away while his blood ran
cold and his limbs were almost para.
lyIed as the fiicker,ng match died on,
and he realized the position In which
he was placed.
Young Payne dli not dare 20 strike
another match. even u his trembling
hands would have performed that ser.
vice. but he knew that be was In n,
mos, Imminent peril Of his lie. r,
leap from the door OF the car meant
certain death and the probability o.
his fate remaining forever a mystery
to the loved ones az horne. while
these thoughts dar,ed through hl
mind a cold, hairy substance dashe,
itself IN his face. and. thinking hi
time had come, he tainted.
How long he Jay unconscious he doe
not know. but when he came again q
life Il was broad daylight and IN
train still speeding like the wind. n
tried the door and almost falnte
when he found that Il was fastened an
that he was doomed 10 suiier hour
longer the prospect OF an attack al an
Instant from the hideOus creature
b whose character he knew 30 we'll. tn
struggling rays that penetrated n
cracks OF the door enabled him 10 81
dlmly the objects about him. and n
; cold Precipitation broke out on his for,
! head as he recognized his visitors
the night before and saw that the
number had been trebled. lie locke
about for a loose board and found
small one. but knew II ne attacked u
4 ,arantulas they would leap at him an
j. that he could not ward them on. n
: apprehension was increased when /
ssw that they had engaged In one
those fearful and deadly oomba
i among themselves Tor which they a
u 20 well known In the south. and
n which they furnish to the natives abo
= the same class OF amusement as q
horse race and the bull fight
For hours he sat there. facing tho
dreadful creatures. which neither a
% vanced nor retreated, Then mig
4 came on. and again he was mercinl
IL rendered unconscious.
y When next he knew what was goil
IL ! on about him he was on a cot In
.. hospital In Portland. he had be-
n there a month and had gone throul
0. a well-niEh fatal attack OF brain few
Ie Meantime the authorities. having Al
II covered his Identity from his delirio
Is talk. had telegraphed TO his poop
J. and the young woman he was TO mar
y FASTENED 10 his bedside. lie had n
+ been found until the car was open
!. At its destination. when he was u
e conscious and ravlng like a maniac.
70 mark on his forehead indicated n
y he had In reality been bitten by
tarantula. probably when he faint
the second time. As soon as he v
able 70 travel he started for home
8. easy stages. FIRST having married
le handsome and devoted woman "
10 had Joined him under such peeul
n circumstances. His physician "a