The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-12-31
WAITING.
A Tale OF Chicago.


The good steamer Empire" lay
swinging uneasily at her mOOrings in
the Chicago 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 Buffalo. The old
block-hOuse of Fort Dearborn was
still standing. The streets of the en-
bryo city were innocent of Macadam
or Nicholson; 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 "IIake House" was
a prince among hotels. A glaring
white tWo-stOry frame rejOiced in the
BOstOnian nameOf Fremont" " on the
same corner where its namesake now
rears its colossal proportions, while
where the "Sherman" now stands, a
blowsy red brick iaunted the same
name i'm pretentiOus gilt letters on its
staring sides. ''McVickef's," and the
i'CrOsby's" were i'm the undreamed-Of
future, but the since Mayor was then
the proprietor of a Thespian temple,
where Charles Dibbic Pitt and Mrs.
Jones, and other histriOnic celebrities
Of that day and generation, delighted
the unambitiOus denizens of what has
since become one of the most wonder
ful cities of the world.
A busy thrOng hurried to and fro
on the wharf, where the steamer lay
ready 10 start on her long run around
the lake. There was summer pleas
ure party, full of merry jest and mer-
rier laughter-self-absO Observation-Disclosures
of all the hurry, and anxiety, and
care about them. The merchant from
some interior town, jOurneying TO
New York to purchase merchandise,
clutched his valise closely, Outwardly
calm, inwardly perturbed and anxious
lest some abandoned wretch should
steal his trunk or pick his pockets,
walked sOlemnly into the "grand sa-
loOn.u All social grades seemed to be
represented, from the self-pOssessed,
Travelled man of the world, TO the
wide-eyed pumpkin from the remote
farmhouse.
Threading his way daintily through
the thrOng, came a gentleman with
strongly marked and not altogether
pleasant, though handsome and smil-
ing features, with faultless outfit and
air of most impurturbable dpJODtb. A
plainly dressed and quite pretty wO-
man leaned neryOusly on his arm, and
half accompanied, half followed him.
Her eyes bore traces of recent weep
ing, and her face wore the half-puz-
zled, half-penitent expression of one
in strong doubt whether the present
action be criminal or innocent. Step
ping from the wharf TO the boat, she
seemed TO hesitate moment; but her
companion ignored any such suspi-
ciOn, if he entertained it, and, NOV
ing rapidly and confidently forward,
led her into the saloon. Here he seat
ed her with ceremoniOus pOliteness,
and telling her that she need do moth
ing but wait until he attended to the
of her baggage and secured
her state-rOom, he turned away, but
after a step or two, returned, and with
an appearance of respectful concern,
said,
at would be well, Mrs. Barnes, if
you would drop your veil. 1t would
save you from impertinent staring,
and, perhaps, from annoying ques-
TONS"
She half rose, as if to follow him,
but Immediately resumed her seat,
"Perhaps he's right-per-
haps he's right" she drew her veil
closely over her face, and settled her
self buck 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
cOnspicuOusly lettered, ''Mrs.
Nj. +. Barnes" and carried them on
board the steamer. Then, approach
ing the gentleman we have remarked,
he said, with knowing grin:
''There, Mr.. Jeremy, rve brought
shall have to have two dollars, for
had TO drive fast, tell you"
"Certainly, my man, replied he
who was addressed as Mr.. Jeremy;
i'three of them if sou like"
Then, handing the hank note for
i've dbllars, and also a folded and
sealed paper, he added:
'tHere, / shall give you five; but
you must promise To take this letter
10 some one of the newspaper offices
and hand it, TO the local editor; but
lon't under any circumstances tell
them from whom you received it.
Will YOU take the five and do this, or
must / give the three 10 some other
"Oh, rll take the letter, of course.
But, with another grin-"do you
think they'll print it?'
Mr.. Jeremy betrayed a little sur
prise at the mans manner, but an
swered, with a pleasant smile:
guess so. Items are scarce"
Softly whistling popular air, Mr..
Jeremy stepped aboard the Empire"
fbe baggage man looked after him
and muttering to himself
YOU'RE sharp un. It don't make
any difference to you whether Cass or
IaylOr's elected, so you gets the pet
tlcoats or your side, 1 know" he
jumped on his wagon and drove away,
well content with his afternoons
The steamers bell rang out the last
note of warning; the lines were cast
loose; the giittering engine slid away
with eat-like tread; the Donderous
wheels shook eff the flashing spray.
and the good steamer Empire"
with inanimate valve and
pulsing life, bearing the buoyancy of
youth and pleasurable intent, and the
uneasy imaginings of unscrupulous
and plotting guilt, moved out on the
bosom of the lake.
The afternoon of the succeeding day
was far advanced. The western sun
pierced his level lanees through the
veil of gFimy smoke that settled upon
The bIIsV river and for ont ~, 4I,a