Year: 1859

Although am often compelled to trav-
Ell without companion, yet have such
dislike to the company Of babies of sick
folks, that l never make a journey in the
aides carriage. Only once, however,
have suffered any inconvenience through
my unprotected condition, and that excep-
tion occurred very lately and on this very
line. After l had taken my seat one
morning at Haddington, in an empty car
riage, | was joined, just as the train was
moving off, by strange looking young
man, with remarkable flowing hair. He
was of course little hurried, bat he SEEM
ed besides to be so disturbed and wild
that was quite alarmed for fear of his
not being in his right mind, nor did his
subsequent conduct at all reassure me-
Our train was an express, and he enquir-
ed eagerly at once, which was the first
station whereat we were advertised to
stop. consulted my Bradshaw, and fur
nished him with the desired information.
1t was Reading. The young man looked
at his watch.


Madam said he, i have but half an
hour before me, and it may be ruin, /
perceive pair of scissors in your work.
bag, Oblige me, if you please, by cutting
off all my hair


Sir said l, 1T is impossible


Madam he urged, and look of sew
ere determination crossed his features, i
am desperate man. Beware how you
refuse me what l ask. Cut my hair off
short, close to the roots-immediately
and here is paper to hold the ambrosial
curls.'


Thought he was mad of course; and be-
lieving that it would be dangerous tc
thwart him, l cut off all his hair to the last
lock.


Now, madam said he, unlocking a
portmanteau. you will further oblige me
by looking out of the window, as l am
about to change my clothes.


OF course looked out Of the window
for considerable time, and when he OBJ
served, MADAM, need no longer put you
to any inconvenience / did not recognize
the young man in the least.


| Instead of his former rather gay COS
tune, he was attired in black, and wore
| a gray wig and silver spectacles; ne look
ed like respectable divine of the Church
of England, of about Ga years of age; tC
complete that character, he held volume
of sermons in his hand, which-they ap
peared so to absorb him-might have
been his own.


4 do not wish to threaten you, young
lady, he resumed, and l think beside
that l can trust to your kind face. Viii
you promise me not to reveal this meta
morphosis until you have reached you
! journeys end?'


j i WILL said /, most certainly
At Reading, the guard and a person il
2 plain clothes looked into the carriage.
You have the ticket, my love, said tn
young man blandly, and looking to me a
though he were my father.


Never mind, sir, we don't want them
said the official, as he withdrew with hi
companion.


4 shall now leave you, madam obser


we'd my fellow traveller, as soon as th


coast was clear, sby your kind and coura
geous conduct you have saved my life an
} perhaps your own


In another minute he was gone an
:, the train was in motion. Not till the nel


morning did learn, from the Times news
8 paper, that the gentleman had operate
IS on as hair cutter had committed forger
J to an enormous amount in London fe
, hours before l met him, and that he ha


been tracked into the express tram +;
: Haddington, but that although the telt
T. graph had been put in motion and descr


bed him accurately-at Reading, whe


the train was searched, he was nowhel
to be found.