The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-14
4 THRILLING NARRATIVE.

Mrs. Potter had made great preparations
the starting had twice been postponed, and
now the day drew nigh for third and last
call. The loving injunctions piled upon Mr..
Potter To be good boy Willie she was gone,
and the Oit-repratei asScverations that she
wouldn't be missed, that he'd be glad to
get rid Of her, etc, had accumulated to such
Il frightful extent on the ne I'll of that devoted
gentleman, that there wag little left for
blOated and reckless therm Jmatcr to accom-
pli~h in reconci!ing him to the change. Mr..
Potter undoubtedly believes that it lis not
good for man to he alone'--in winter But
in summer, with the mercury at 1909 in the
icc-ccllar, when the streets ARE melting down
into the cutters and nothing l. too much
cover, it i, different. Besides it was a great
deal more healthy fora lady of Mrs, Potters
delicate constitution, to spend few months
with her friends in the COT ntry-especally
when gentleman Of Mr. Puttcrs fragile
appearance wanted TO % on fishing excur
sion in the mountains in all opposite direc-
ton. Mrs. Potter duty to society required
it, and Mr.. Pottcrs manly devotion to the
lodge, made the pi~catorill path Of virtue
a necessity. So the day arrived for third
attempt, and Mrs. Potter was fearful and
Mr.. Potter was much more cheerful than
could ever be expected under the crcum-
stances. The train was expected t. leave at
g O'clock in the evening, and Mr.. Potter
was to come home early and pack things in
the cool Of the day. 1t was about three
clock on the hottest afternoon of this year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four, when Mr.. Potter sauntcred
slowly down Pennsylvania avenue, defend
ing himself from the sun with an ancient
umbrella, looking at f~hing-t"ok!e in the
shops, and debating wit in himself whether
trout really have scales. 1t was too hot to
reason about anything except cremation, 50
he stepped into AmanS for a cobbler and
to get the very latest about Tom Collins.
There he met Il friend who was to be one Of
the fishing excur~ioni~tS, and the cOnverSa-
ton taking the direction Of trout and claret
punch. Potter incidentally mentioned that his
wife was to leave that evening. Mr.. Potter
was quite cOul and agreeable now.
''BIt there Is no train at that hour" says
the friend, ON heuing the time mentioned.
" WHARF replied Potter, incredulously.
Then his friend drew forth a paper and
pointing to the timetable, said-''5:2O, my
dear SIR as coolly a if it had been Potter's
treat and the words, Thank you | don't
care if | do" If Mr. Potter left so hastily
as to forget to pay his bill we are morally
certain n jury woald acquit him on the
ground of emotional insanity. In his flight
he saw there was time yet. At the Sixth
street Office tine ticket agent cOrroberated his
friends newspaper.
lie purchased his ticket and asked for
Pullman section.
..Hayc nothing hat a single upper berth,
said the agent. looking out Of the window
languidy.
..The ducel' piously CALCULATED Potter
whose wife couldn't climb tree.
"You might get one at the other Office,
remarked the man, yawning.
The .'otbcr Office was mile away to-
wards the Treasury. But Potter was hot
ro,v and he rushed into the street and hailed
n passing car so iercely and went aboard so
daiantly that the conductor was AFRAID to
collect his fare. Having got his section
and imbibed the information that the bag
oape would be called for in half an hour he
steamed for home. When he entered he
frightened Mrs. Potter into a comfortable hit
bv his appearance and frightened her out
again Immediately by stumbling through
convenient piles of spring clothing In the
middle Of the floor.
THAT train leaves at 5:20," he burst
forth, land the man will be here In ten
minutes for the baggage"
"Well, then, just can't go, that's all,
said Mrs. Potter, sitting down to cry.
"Why not?'' asked Potter, "what have
you to do?''
"A million things" smartly replied Mrs.
Potter. She always puts her figures high
u c2uldu' get ready to go in that time if !