The Delta independent., 1888-02-21
Mr.. DUMBLE'S ADVENTURE
BY WALLACE p. REED.

legend on the greasy register of the
Hotel Bolivar. the leading hostelry in
the city of Guatemala, he handed the
landlord package of valuable papers
for safe keeping, and said that he would
go to his room at once.
Mr.. Dumble had arrived late at night.
and feeling sleepy and travel worn. was
in no mood for. conversation. He fel:
that after good nights rest he would
be all the better able to look after the
interests of his firm, the big coffee
house of Bidgood & Co. of Boston.
The next morning the Bostonian was
up with the sun, but to his inexpressible
annoyance he found it somewhat
difficult to make his toilet, as his gar
ments were all missing.
sit is blank, queer thing"
soliloquized Mr.. Dumble. as he dodgel
about the room, carefully avoiding the
windows. II hung my clothes on that
chair last night and now they are
gone" IN #TkE
He looked around for bell, but could
find none. Then he opened his door
and listened intently. Nobody was
string in the house.
Now. l am not going to stay in bed
like these lazy Central Americans. l
must have my morning walk"
He look down at his airy costume.
Clearly it would not do to go out until
he was dressed. Sticking his head out
OF the door he yelled at the top of his
voice: 't. u ssE.. "a
Hello Waiter! Boy!
No answer. -rE
MIR. Dumble in his excitement walk
ed out into the corridor. He noticed
that the door of the room next to his
chamber stood ajar. Without consid-
ering the matter. ho plunged in on a
tour of investigation. In moment
he reappeared with an armful of cloth
ing. and rushed into his own room,
where he proceeded to inspect his
plunder.
They will fit" he remarked. "But
what an outrageous rig it is! Gold
lace. a sash and sword, and cooked
hat I'll put on the things until can
do better. /"
When arraycd in his borrowed garb.
MIR. Dumble presented very pictur-
'esqne appearance. He was short and
stout, with a red, jolly face, and his
peculiar trappings were really becom-
ing
II feel like fool, "said Dumble con-
fidcntially to his reflection in the mir
ror. ''These duds don't suit bald
headed Boston man in the coffee trade.
Am L masquerade ball or circusP"
Finding himself unable to answer
the question. Mr.. Dumble looked out
OF the window. There was no sign of
life in the streets. and it was evident
that Guatemala did not boast of an
: early rising population. -.a4-
After some consideration Mr.. Dumble
decided that he would venture out for
. walk. On his return he would ex.
plain thingsto the landlord. and make
it all right with the unknown owner of
the fancy costume. ~
VI course, man in a cooked hat
and gold laced coat with sword
dangling by his side, could not 90
skipping along in the jaunty style of
the average commercial traveller. Mr..
Dumble SAW this. and when he reached
z the street he started off Mt a dignified
pace. ta* tf5f f(
z He was very much gratified to find
that the few persons he met saluted
him with great respect. but after awhile
he grew little uneasy.
~ There is something wrong" he
muttered- This is no masquerade
costume. 1t belongs to some highcock-
Rlorem fellow, some foreign minister,
perhaps. The thing may get me into
trouble YETI -
However, he was In for it. The ear
~ morning air was SO bracing and the
-qunsntss streets so attractive that the
'Bostonians could not resist tho tempta-
ton to pr olong his stroll. He soon
found himself in the residence part of
the city. and as the sun climbed higher,
the streets began to ill with people.
All the promenaders and even those
in carriages saluted the man in the
cooked hat;very ,deferentially.
Il am evidently some body" thought
Dumble, .but who in the mischief am
IP II 1 could speak their jingling lingo
tolerably well. would ask for infor-
nation. y stfksG 81 &
1t was now past breakfast time, but
the distracted tourist was not aware Of
1t. He was thinking of returning TO
the hotel. and wondering whether he
had lost his wsy.when a carriage halt
ed and an officer jumped out and took
off his hat.
Il was on my way to;the hotel, 4e
said in good English. "but see that
your excellency must not walk. Per-
nit me-" and taking the bewildered
Dumble by the arm he pushed him into
the rriags before thcrs was time for
reni6hs stfancs. "a N
Sa4n spite of his cooked hat and sword.
Dumble felt his knees shaking together.
What could it mean Was he about to
be conducted into the presence OF
President Barrios P .s.--ss4-,-.-.--