Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-06-28

was n Dell, Whlcn ne rang IufiOuSly,
then turned and was half way down the
stairs, two steps at time, at the mo-
ment the elevator appeared at the fourth
landing.
He ran into the office, upsetting two
or three porters, and inquired II any one
had seen a baby. Nobody had. He
was advised TO go and find the car
riage, which he attempted TO do. IL
next occurred to him to consult the police.
He was asked the number of the car
riagc. He didn't know; he never looked
at the number The officer shook his
head, and considered the case dubi-
Gus, but advised him TO 60 TO the sta
ton, lay the case before the authori-
ties and have it worked up immedi-
ately.
This advice was followed by Mr.. Hos
kins, who, coming back to the hotel,
found his wife i'm dreadful state of
nervousness and suspense, and Marga-
ret, pale and haggard, doing her best to
soothe her.
Meanwhile, what became of the babyp
At about ten p. m. the previous even
| ing the night express came in from the
south and Mr.. Richard Kennetson be-
ing on that particular train. alighted
therefrom, signaled q hack, threw in
his ulster, and, ensconcing himself with
| in, gave directions to be driven to the
- Hotel. He had not been inside
more than three minutes when an UNI
mistakable wall arose from the opposite
seat, directly under the ulster.
"Angels and ministers of gracem ex-
claimed Mr.. Richard Kennetson, and,
not being timorous or superstitious. he
Immediately began TO examine the inte-
rior. 1t was quite dark night, but as
he lifted the ulster they flashed past a
gas light, whereupon Mr.. Kcnnetson
calculated: "A babyr'
His first impulse was flight. But no,
that was hardly judicious. The baby
would be discovered and suspicion
would be fastened on him. He signaled
the driver TO stop. "Look here" he
demanded, "did you know there was n
baby in hereP'
Cabby appeared thunderstruck for an
instant, then grew incredulous, and
seemed to regard the matter rs a
"drive put up against him. "A baby!
o course not, unless you put it in there
yourself"
"I-have baby with me! What in
thunder do you mean?''
80, nothin', sir; but I've seen gen.
tlemen before as would have their little
joke, you know" And cabby, assum-
ing the knowing air of one who was
not to be " stuffed" prepared TO drive
on.
"Look here, SIR" said Mr.. Kennel
son in peremptory tone, "gct down
from that seat and como here, and tell
me what this means"
Cabby dismounted and looked in.
whitaker was the exclama-
ton. % 1t is baby, and no mistake. p"
"Wellp" And Mr.. Kennetson re-
garded the driver with q puzzled, but
stony gaze.
Il don't know nothin' about it," was
the response.
Somebody has got TO, suppose"
"You must know the most about il, -"
said he, in significant tone.
Mr.. Kennetson saw that the man
looked upon him with suspicion; he evil
IDENTIFY thought him the proprietor of
the baby. He also concluded that par
ley with that sort of creature was time
wasted; the best plan was 10 get some
where as speedily as possible, so he said:
"Well, drive ONT!
"Well, what are you going to do
about itp" asked Mr. Kennetson of the
driver, as that functionary opened the
door of the carriage when the hotel was
reached.
"Dop Why, / amt agoin' to do
anything about it. What do you take
me forp'
"For the most Internal idiot I've
seen in ten years." was the response.
"Pll be blessed if | know what you are
driving att
"Mebbe not. But / amt the kind of
goat to have that sized trick put up
on me, and don't you forget it. I've
seen that played before, and you dom
saddle no kid on me il l know it.
The mans voice was loud and defiant.
Several people were around the hotel
entrance, and they gazed curiously
toward the carriage, being attracted by
the loud talking. Richard Kcnnctson
thoroughly hated being the center of q
crowd; and being withal tender-heart-
ed, he gathered up his small charge
and dismounted from the vehicle, tax
ing note of the number and saying
''But can't leave the child with such q
beast, if have to adopt it myself" he
strobe into the hotel, followed by in
quiring glances.
1t is safe to say that the elegant,
aristocratic Mr.. Kennetson had never
before found himself i'm quite so trying
a situation. But he would not prolong
the agony by waiting to explain, so he
gave the infant into the hands of a por-
ter while he secured room; which be-
ing done, he stalked with gloomy
aspect up stairs, closely followed by the
new addition to his family.
Once within the room, the distracted
bachelor deposited the baby on the bed
and sat down to think over the situa-
ton. He concluded it would be wisest
to inform the police. In the meantime
the baby began to cry, and in this emer-
gency the police appearing rather du-
bious as an immediate remedy, he at
tempted to restore peace. He took of
his watch and chain and gave it as q
peacc-offcring; this failed, and the
| small tyrant evincing q liking for his
Cuu-Du0tOHS, WHlCu nc ClutCucu pcTSc-
veringly in his hands, Mr.. Kennetson
removed his cuffs, and had the satisfac-
ton of seeing the starched linen con-
veycd to the baby's mouth. Quiet
reigncd; and just rs he was congratu-
lating himself on the success of this ex-
pertinent, the baby Strengthened out and
screamed. Then Mr.. Kennetson took
him up, and Sammy, clutching at his
nccktie, pulled until his victim managed
to unfasten the halter and gave it to
him. Whereupon he put it nearly all
into his mouth and was still for few
seconds. The necktie proving no more
satisfactory as an article of diet than
the cuffs, he again lifted up his voice
and wept. Then Mr.. Kennetson sci
him down on the bed, and empticd his
pockets of all his small change, keys,
etc. Sammy grabbed at the coins and
Immediately conveyed handful to his
shining pink gums. At that moment
1 D.al III