The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-12


at San Francisco.
Mr.. Fogg had neither gained nor lost
a single day.
CHATTER XIV.
IN WHICH A SLIGHT GLIMPsE OF SAN EEAN.
CISCO IS HAD-A POLITICAL hEETLN0
1t was seven o'clock in the morning,
when Phileas Fogg, Mrs. Aouda and
Passepartout set foot on the American
Continent, if this name can DC given to
the floating wharf on which they landed.
Mr.. Fogg, as soon as lie landed, as
certained the time at which the first
train left for New York. 1t was at six
O'Clock in the evening. He had, then,
an entire day to spend in the California
Capital. He ordered carriage for
Mrs. Aouda and himself. Passepartout
mounted the box, and the vehicle, at
three dollars for the trip, turned
towards the International Hotel. q
Passepartout was quite surprised at
al he saw. He was yet in the city of
1S49, in the cityof bandits, incendiaries
and assassins, running after. the native
gold, an immense concourse of all the
outlaws, who gambled with gold dust,
a revolver in one hand ard knife in
the other. But this ';good time had
passed away. San Francisco presented
the aspect of large commercial city.
The high tower of the City Hall over
looked all these streets and avenues,
crossing each other at right angles. be-
tween which were spread out verdant
squares, then Chinese quarter,
which seemed to have been imported
from the Celestial Empire in a toy-box.
No more sOmbreros, or red shirts after
the fashion of the miners, or indians
with feathers, but SAX hats and black
clothes worn by large number of gen
tleman of absorbing activity. Certain
streets, among others Montgomery
street, the Regent street of London,
the Boulevard des Italiens of Paris, the
Broadway of New York, the State
street of Chicago. were lined with
splendid stores, in whose windows
were displayed the products of the
entire world. E
When Passepartoht arrived at the In
ternational Hotel, ii seemed to him that
he had not left England.
The hotel restaurant was comforta-
bic. MIR. Fogg, and Mrs. Aouda took
seats at table and were abundantly
served in very small dishes by negroes
of darkest hue. M EtE
After breakfast, Phileas Fogg, accom-
panied by Mrs. Aouda. left the hotelt
90 to the office of the English Consul to
have his passport UiSed there On the
pavement he found his servant, who
asked him if it would not be prudent,
before starting on the Pacific Railroad,
to buy few dozen Enfield rifles or
Colts revolverS. Passepartout had
heard so much talk of the Sioux and
Pawnees stopping trains like ordinary
Spanish brigands. Mr.. Fogg replied
that it was useless precautiOn. but he
left him free to act as he thought best.
Then he went to the Office of the Con
sui.
Phileas. Fogg had no. gone two hun
dred steps when, "by the merest acct
dent" he met Fix, who manifested
very great surprise. How! Mr.. Fogs
and he had taken together the voyage
across the Pacific, and they had not me
on board the vessel! AT all events Fl,
could only be honored by seeing agail
the gentleman to whom he owed 81
much; and his business calling him +
Europe, he would be delighted to con
tinue his journey is such agreeable com
pany.
Mr.. Fogg replied that the honor woul
be his, and Fix-who made it poin
not to lose sight of him-asked his pei
mission to visit with him this curiou
city of San Francisco, which wa
granted.
Mrs. Aouda, PhiIeas Fogg and Fl
sauntered through the streets. The
soon found themselves in Moutgomer
street, where the crowd of people wa
enormous. On the sidewalks, in tn
middle of the street, on the horse Ca
rails, notwithstanding the incessar
passage of the coaches and omnibusei
on the steps of the stores, in the VIII
dows of all the houses, and even up |
the roofs, there was an innumerabl
crowd. Men with placards circulate
among the groups. Banners an
streamers footed in the wind. Thel
were shouts in every direction.
"Hurrah for Cameriieldr'
"Hurrah for Mandiboyr'
1t was political meeting. At lea
so Fix thought, and he communicate
his ideas to Mr.. Fogg, adding:
1--WE will perhaps do well, 81
not to mingle in this crowd. Only han
blows will be got here"
In fact" replied Phileas Fog,
elbows, if they are political, are n
less blows.'
Fix could not help smiling at this r.
mark, and in order to see without b
, ing caught in the crowd, Mrs. Aloud
! Phileas Fogg and he secured a plai
upon the upper landing of flight
steps reaching to the top of terrac
: situated in the upper end of Montgor
cry street. Before them. on the 9th
side of the street, between the wharf
, coal merchant and the warehouse of
petroleum dealer, there was lar!
platform in the open air. towards whit
; the various currents of the crow
seemed to be tending.
And now, why this meeting? VIII
was the occasion OF its being hel,
Phileas Fogg did not know st all. w
it for the nomination Of some high mi
tary or civil official, State Governo
or member OF Congresse Itmight
: supposed SO, seeing the great excit
ment agitating the city.
> At this moment there was quite
movement in the crowd. Every han
was thrown in the air. Some, tight
closed, seemed to rise and fall rapid
in the midst of the cries-an energet
manner, no doubt. of casting Vot
The crowd fell back. The banne
wavered, disappeared for an instar
and reappeared in tatters. The sur
I ing of the crowd extended to the stel
whilst every head moved up and doV
!. on the surface like sea suddenly a.
tated by a squat. The number
: black hats diminished perceptibly, al