Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-30

but I am sure you will allow me to manage this affair my own way. l have stood the racket, you know, though I heartily acknowledge you have acquired certain claim to atten- ton. It is very good of you, he said politely, and then, "Yes I think l should know him again-if we met which is of course extremely improb- able,' he concluded. with a twinkle in his eyes.
 Now, the self possession of this old fellow, with his air of imperturbable courage, puzzled me hugely and in a manner was very disconcerting. He had taken the outrage, which had evi- dently been committed upon his per son, with such mildness, even with amiability I could scarce credit my senses to see him discoursing there, with his snuff between his fingers, so pleasantly and broadly, of the event. He seemed quite unrufiled, though his body still panted with the efforts of his struggle
 'Is your watch safe? I suppose it was robbery?'' I said, feeling somehow rather mean and cast down by the un- expected situation.
 ssThank you, quite safe" he replied, without troubling to ascertain. ''Yes. quite safe Certainly I must suppose it to have been robbery-yes, robbery, no doubt"
 His air was so abstracted that took leave to doubt his sanity; but, after all, it was no business of mine if he was foolishly disposed to mercy, and one needs but little imagination to con- ceive of a dozen deep reasons for an assault save the plain motive of theft He turned to me presently as was upon the point of withdrawing.
 "I am at loss to know" said he, la boring over his words and speaking very deliberately, what devil of folly pursues men that they will hazard all on a piece of carelessness, a wanton whim or just mere indifference or idle ness. I cannot say''- He paused as we emerged upon the road. "This must be your horse, then, a good, serviceable ludI NOu1L wal heart thirty years since l cannot say" he resumed, clutching gently at my arm, "that my adventure today was due to any other cause than that of mere careIessness. He paused again, surveying my horse with appar- ent interest. Tn the first place, I should not have been so far from home; secondly. I should not have been with out my revolver; thirdly, should have used my stick harder when got home, a concurrence of negligences which made my fate almost certainty but for your arrival" he added as polite afterthought, squeezing my arm. I confess that I was utterly at loss what to make of him and was inclined to interpret him for a mild lunatic, but we proceeded along the roadway, l with the bridle Of my horse over my arm. He still clung to me, discoursing quietly in a melodious voice upon his views of life and the philosophy we should derive from it, while l listened, for the most part, in silence But after walking for a quarter of an hour, the latter part of which time was spent in a somewhat laborious ascent we came ] out upon the summit of little hill clad in the splendid livery of summer and surmounted by what seemed in the I distance to be tbe,-rIslEs-ofr a~eastIe Here the old gentleman came to halt ceasing simultaneously of his chatter and looked toward the building.
 'I am fully conscious, Mir. -; I don't think I caught your name. Mr."-