Year: 1879

Dy DliLu Or UlOOQ, his country as their own;
Thee is not on the page of Time name


That hath nobler sound, richer tone.


A Terrible Encounter.
had been living in Oakland but a
short time, and crossed the ferry every
day to business IN San Francisco. One
evening I was watching from the ferry
boat the lights Of San Francisco receding
in the distance, and was absorbed in the
beauty Of their dancing, flashing, many
colored rays. Long lanes of brilliant
lamps were coming into view, and then
giving place of others, all these shining
avenues OF lights, from my shifting point
of view, seeming to revolve upon a COM
mon centre, while the thousand lights
upon the the hills were reflected in the
calm water Of the bay. Gradually a
feeling of q dread crept over me-a cur
tain seemed to fall over the lights, ex-
Guiding from my view all save one, a
bright red lamp upon the water front
the danger signal to my awakening ap-
prehensions.


I turned suddenly, and saw him for
the first tlne-a tall, athletic man. his
face covered with a long black beard,
standing near and evidently watching
me. AS I turned he stepped toward nae,
and noticed that we were alone upon
the afterdeck. Jumped away from the
rail, and hastily joined the crowd at the
bow Of the boat. There I laughed at my
foolish fears, and looked in vain for the
fellow who had alarmed me. I saw him
no more that night, and began to curse
my cowardice, for there was nothing at
all remarkable in the circumstances that
we two were alone upon that part Of the
deck, and there really was nothing
suspicious in the movement he made
toward me. However, slept but little
that night and felt uneasy for several days
afterward. This apparently trivial Incl
dent made SO great an impression on my
mind that bought q revolver, carefully
loaded it, and carried it always with me.


For some weeks l saw nothing Of the
man, and although had ceased to think
of him, I continued from habit to carry
the pistol.


One night I had been working late in
my Office, and was hurrying down Cali
tornia Street to take the last boat for
Oakland. When near the corner Of Bat
terry, was seized as before with the same
feeling of terror, and instinctively nv
hand was upon my revolver. At the corn
er met the some black bearded strang-
er, and recognized him Immediately. He
stopped full in front of me, and extend
ing his arm to bar the way, he said:


my friend, do you know that your life
is in danger on these streets at this hour
of the night2"


I had with ME considerable sum of
money that had been handed me in the
evening, and which in my hurry I nad
forgotten to deposit in the safe.


eyes," | answered, as drew and pre-
sented my pistol, II know that, and am
prepared to defend it''


The instant he saw the pistol be- fled up
Battery Street and disappeared. Had
raised an alarm should be detained, and
would have missed the last boat, which
indeed, I barely succeeded in catching.


I did not mention the occurrence to
any one, as my business often obliged me
to remain in the city until late in the
evening, and if my family knew OF it they
would be constantly alarmed for my safe
ty.


Something told me I had not seen the
last of the man, and I carefully examined
my pistol every morning. made eau
tious inquiries at the police office, but
nothing was there known of such a per-
son as described. I became nervous
and excitable from constant apprehen-
sion, and walked nowhere alone at night.


Some months had passed, when one
day, feeling that ramble among the
hills would do me good, I took an early
boat to Saucelito, ana strolled for sever.
al hours through the csnons among the
hills. again that nameless terror came
upon me, and I was hurrying through
the woods along a narrow path leading
to the road, when sudden turn brought
me face to face with the tall unknown.
For the first time | saw his face distinct
ly. It was an intelligent countenance,
but there was something relentless in its
expression, and the eyes looked wild and
cruel. For moment I stood tranfxed
with fear and amazement. He bent his
piercing eyes on me, and laughed hol-
low. mocking laugh. My blood cur
died.


"Aha!" he exclaimed, had no idea of
taking life over here. But am always
ready for business. Excuse me, sir" he
continued, with atiendish smile, ssdo you
realize that you have not long to live?"


AS ne spoke, he thrust his hand into
his breast pocket, saw that had a
madman to deal with. When the truth
flashed upon me, Irecovered my GOODNESS
and self-position in a moment. My only
chance for life lay in getting the first
fire.


"If you want my money! said I, at
the same time carrying my hand to my
pistol-pocket, ''here it is"


He laughed again that cruel laugh.
II doa'5 ask fer money; all want
now is to secure your life"


| heard something snap in his pocket.
Quick as thought I whipped out my
pistol and fired. He fell back dead, bis
hand still clurching something in his
pocket I withdrew his hand, and was
Mortified to find that it grasped, not a
pistol, but packet of papers.


What had done? Had I made a
mistake? The danger OF my situation
burst upon me. Were I discovered upon
the ground, I would be apprehended and
charged with rnurderi TJnOn the imnnlsa