Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-10-02
SeIefted Mtsfellauy.
WAITING.
A TALE OF CHICAGO.

ing uneasily at her moorings in the Chi
cago River, on bright August morning
in 1S4S. Railways had not then wrested
travel from the lakes, and the best route
from the Northwest to New York was the
roundabout way by Mackinaw and Buffa-
To- The old block-house of Fort Dearborn
was still standing. The streets of the en-
bryo city were innocent of Macadam or
Nicolson; indeed, the streets of to-day
were not at all, for the Chicago of that day
has been buried six feet out of sight. The
old Lake House" was a prince among
hotels. A glaring white wostory frame
rejoiced in the Bostonian name of "Tre-
mont" on the same corner where its
namesake now rears its colossal proper
tions, while where the "Sherman" now
stands, blowsy red-brick fiaunted the
same name in pretentious gilt letters on its
staring sides. McVickers and the "Cros-
bys" were in the undIeamed-of future
but the since Mayor was then proprietor
of Thespian temple where Charles Dib-
din Pitt and Mrs. Jones, and other his
trionic celebrities of that day and genera
tion delighted the unambitious denizens of
what has since become one of the most
wonderful cities of the world.
A busy throng hurried to and fro on the
wharf where the steamer lay, ready to start
on her long run around the lakes. There
was d summer pleasure party, full of mer-
ry jest and merrier laughter-self.ab-
sorbed-heedless of all the hurry and anx-
iety and care about them. The merchant
from some interior town, journeying to
New York to purchase merchandise,
clutched his valise closely, and, outwardly
calm, but inwardly perturbed and anxious
lest some abandoned wretch should steal
hIo frt1vS b xsnIr -
emnly into the "grand saloon" All So
cial grades seemed to be represented, from
the selfpOssessed, travelled man of the
world, to the wide-eyed pumpkin from the
remote farmhouse.
Threading his way daintily through the
throng, came gentleman with strongly
marked and not altogether pleasant,
though handsome and smiling features,
with taultless outfit and air of most i'm
perturbable aplom5. A plainly dressed
and quite pretty woman leaned nervously
on his arm, and half accompanied, half
followed him. Her eyes bore traces of re-
cent weeping, and her face wore the half
puzzled, half-penitent expression of one in
strong doubt whether the present action
be criminal or innocent Stepping from
the wharf to the boat, she seemed to hesi-
tate a moment: but her companion ig-
nored any such suspicion, if he enter
tanned 1t, and, moving rapidly and conf
IDENTIFY forward, led her into the saloon.
Here he seated her with ceremonious po-
liteness, and, telling her that she need do
nothing but wait until he attended to the
disposition of her baggage and secured
her state-room, he turned away, but, after
step or two, returned, and, with an ap-
pearance of respectful concern, said,
1t would be well, Mrs. Barnes, if you
would drop your VEIL 1t would save you
from impertinent staring, and perhaps
from annoying questions"
She glanced towards his face with
slightly surprised look but he had turned
again and was walking away, with the air
of jaunty assurance that sat so naturally
on him. She half rose, as if to follow
him, but Immediately resumed her seat,
murmuring, "Perhaps he's right-per-
haps he's right" she drew her veil closely
over her face, and settled herself back
into the luxurious sofa with an uneasy
sigh.
Her companion hurried out to the street,
and glanced up and down. Presently a
baggage wagon drove up, from which the
driver lifted two large trunks, conspicu-
ously lettered, "Mrs. M. E. Barns" and
carried them on board the steamer. Then,
approaching the gentleman we have re-
marked, he said, with knowing grin,
"There, Mr.. Jeremy, I've brought them
ere trunks in good time, and I shall have
to have two dollars, for I've had to drive
fast, tell you"
Certainly, my man." replied he who
was addressed as Mr. Jeremy; "three of
them, if you like" Then, handing the
man bank-note for five dollars, and also
a folded and sealed paper, he added,
"Here,-I shall give you five; but you
must promise to take this letter to some
one of the newspaper offices, and hand it
to the local editor; but don't, under any
circumstances, tell them from whom you
received it. Will you take the five, and
do this, or must / give the three to some
other messenger"
ooh, I'll take the letter, of course. But"
with another grin" do you think they'll
print itP"
Mr.. Jeremy betrayed little surprise at
the mans manner, but answered, with 8
pleasant smile,
guess so. Items are scarce"
Softly whistling a popular air, Mr..
Jeremy stepped aboard the Empire" !"
The baggage-man looked after him, admir-
ingly, and muttering to himself. "You're
a sharp 'un. 1t don't make no difference
to you whether Cass or Taylor's elected.
so you gifts the petticoats on yoar side /
know" he jumped on his wagon, and drove
away, well content with his afternoons
earnings.
The steamers bell rang out the last note