Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1875 — A Pleasant Railway Companion. [ARTICLE]

A Pleasant Railway Companion.

Lucy Hooper writes from Paris to the Philadelphia Press: “ I wish those ardent souls who admire European railway carriages, with their side doors, separate compartments and solid partitions, would study and reflect over the various and serious disadvantages which are connedted therewith. It is no joke for a timia person traveling alone to be shut up in a compartment with some sturdy, sullen-looking desperado—it is neither pleasant nor safe, the recent experience of a French gentleman and lady, one M. de Bouchony and his sister-in-law, abundantly testify. They were journeying from Tarascon to Marseilles, and found themselves in the same car with an unpleasant-looking individual, who shortly after the train started turned toward the young lady, and drawing a small bottle from his pocket, cried: ‘ Since you are the Virgin Mary, drink thisi’ The poor girl recoiled from him in terror, but he snatched from her neck a slender gold chain which she wore, and flinging it, together with the bottle, out of the window, he next turned his attention to the gentleman, who had hastened to the assistance of his sister-in-law. A terrible struggle ensued, during which the young lady contrived to get the door open and to creep along the foot-board to the next compartment, shrieking for the guard as she went. Her cries at last attracted attention, and the train was stopped barely in time to save the life of M. de Bouchony, who lay half-strangled and senseless in the bottom of the car, while the would've assassin had taken possession of his watch and money. As soon as the train came to a stand-still he leaped out and attempted to escape, but was captured by the guard. M. de Bouchony, who was not seriously injured, is recovering. The criminal, since his incarceration in jail, has not ceased to feign madness, and he talks incessantly about the Virgin Mary. Mad or sane, he was certainly a delightful creature to be locked in with for a long journey. As he did not fail to secure the money and valuables of his victim, there seems to be rather too much method in his madness for it to be wholly genuine, and such I believe has been the view taken of it by the authorities.”