Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-10-02
SeItftfd aalisrfIIaniI.
WAITING.
A TALE OF CHICAGO

ing uneasily at her mOOrings in the Chi
cago River, on a 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-
10. The old block-house of Fort Dearborn
was still standing. The streets of the en-
bryo city were innocent of Macadam OF
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 two-story frame
rejoiced in the Bostoniau 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 Haunted the
same name in pretentious gilt letters on its
staring sides. McVicker's and the "Cros-
by's" were in the undreamedo 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
ton 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 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 anxiou,
lest some abandoned wretch should stea
his trunk or pick his pockets, walked sol
emnly into the "grand saloon" All so
cial grades seemed to be represented, from
the self-possessed, travelled man of the
world, to the wide-eyed pumpkin from thu
remote farmhouse.
Threading his way daintily through tn,
throng, came gentleman with strongly
marked and not altogether pleasant
though handsome and smiling features
with faultless outfit and air of most i'm
perturbable aplomb. A plainly dressed
and quite pretty woman leaned nervousl,
on his arm, and half accompanied, hal
followed him. Her eyes bore traces of re
cent weeping, and her face wore the half
puzzled, halfpenitent expression of one il
strong doubt whether the present actor
be criminal or innocent. Stepping from
the wharf to the boat, she seemed to hesi
tate moments but her companion ig
nored any such suspicion, if he enter
tanned it, and, moving rapidly and conf
IDENTIFY forward, led her into the saloon
Here he seated her with ceremonious DO
liteness, and, telling her that she need d,
nothing but wait until he attended to tn
disposition of her baggage and secure,
her state-room, he turned away, but, afte
a step or two, returned, and, with an an
pearance of respectful concern, said,
1t would be well, Mrs. Barnes, if 70,
would drop your veil. 1t would save yo,
from impertinent staring, and perhap
from annoying questions"
she glanced towards his face with
slightly surprised look but he had turne,
again and was walking away, with the al
of jaunty assurance that sat so naturall
on him. She half rose, as if to folloJ
him, but Immediately resumed her seal
murmuring, perhaps he's right-pel
haps he's right" she drew her veil closel
over her face, and settled herself bac
into the luxurious sofa with an uneas
sigh.
Her companion hurried out to the stree
and glanced up and down. Presently
baggage. wagon drove up, from which tn
driver lifted two large trunks, conspicr
ously lettered, "Mrs. M. E. Barns" an
carried them on board the steamer. The1
appr oaching the gentleman we have r,
marked, he said, with knowing grin,
"There, Mr.. Jeremy, I've brought theI
ere trunks in good time, and shall hav
to have two dollars, for I've had to driv
fast, tell you"
Certainly, my man." replied he wh
was addressed as Mr. Jeremy "three
them, if you like" Then, handing IL
man a bank-note for five dollars, and all
folded and sealed paper, he added,
Here,-I shall give you five; but yC
must promise to take this letter to son
one of the newspaper Offices and hand
to the local editor but don't, under ar
circumstances, tell them from whom yC
received it. Will you take the five, an
do this, or must | give the three to son
other messenger?"
ooh, I'll take the letter, of course Blu
with another grin-"do you think they
print it?"
Mr.. Jeremy betrayed little surprise
the mans manner, but answered, with
pleasant smile,
~ guess so. Items are scarce"
Softly whistling popular air, NJ
Jeremy stepped aboard the Empire
The baggage-man looked after him, admi
ingly, and muttering to himself, "You'
a sharp 'un. 1t don't make no differen
to you whether Cass or Taylor's electe
so you gifts the petticoats on your side,
know" he jumped on his wagon, and dro'
away, well content with his afternoon
earnings.
The steamers bell rang out the last no
of warning; the lines were cast loose, Il
cleaning engine slid away with a cat-lii
tread, the ponderous wheels shook off I
flashing spray, and the good steam
Empire" freighted with inanimate val
and Pulsing life, bearing the buoyancy
youthful years and pleasurable intent, al
the uneasy imaginings of unscrupulo
and plotting guilt, moved out on the bose
of the lake.
The afternoon of the succeeding 4
was far advanced. The WesterinS sl
pierced his level lances through the veil
grimy smoke that settled along the I'm
river, and far out across the green hose
of the lake their golden points we
dimmed and blunted against the purE
east The clatter, rather thar roar, Whi
was the business voice Of the Chicago
that day, was dying into quiet, and ov
vast regions where one now hears I
rumble Of the horse-cars and the man
toned voice of traffic, the air trembled on
TO the faint bell.note from grazing kline,
their mellowed lowing, as they lazily wa
dered homeward.
The steamer Baltic" from Buff
direct, had lust arrived. The hustle
landing was almost over, and the knot
idlers which such an event at that d
always drew, was melting gradually aws
A gentleman Of thirty TO thirty-hve yes
stepped briskly ashore, leading by
hand little boy Of not more than Il
years. Both were well but plainly cls
Indicating middle social rank; and
face af the gentleman wore that expr
sion Of pleasurable anticipation, not,
deed, entirely unmixed with apprehensit
which one always feels upon q retu
home after long absence.
"We'n soon be home now, Harry, ]