Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-02

somebody has truly remarked thaU
money makes the mare gO;' and none!
Is essential to move even such an uu-
equaled consolidation as mine Is. The
consolidation has fame, but just a the
present moment the consolidation Is with
out money"
The justice of the peace and the attor
ney retired, perplexed If not defeated.
They consulted with the city officials,
who, after some debate, actually offered
to pay Mr.. Hackesack's board bill provid-
| ing he would leave town at once.
"My dear SIR" graciously said the sub
| iect of all this discussion, II appreciate
yoar offer, but as the consolidation is I'M
able to walk to the nearest stand, must
decline it with thanks"
The situation was becoming serious.
The entire population of Oak City waited
for the denouement with intense interest.
and whenever the Hackensacks walked
out they were the cynosure of all eyes.
There seemed to be no way of getting
rid of Mr.. Hackensack, dispute the fact
that he expressed entire Willingness togo.
Mrs. Mincer would not let the female
leave until the bill was settled and the
bill became so large that the city fathers
did not feel able to Iiquidate it, especi
ally as it would accomplish nothing IN
less they also paid the fair to the next
town.
One fine morning the Oak Citians were
overwhelmed by profuse advertisements
OF benefit" at which the "consoiida-
ton" w2S . appear IN an entire change
of programme. Everybody was anxious
~ attentive and everybody predicted a
full house.
The house wss certainly full and the
Hackehsacks were in the best CT hUmOr
and did themselves credit. But when the
cash receipts were counted up everybody
was surprised TO find that they amounted
to less than $17.
This seemed unaccOuntable, till it tran
spired that the city officials and all their
friends, the justice of the peace and his
friends, the attorney and his friends, the
sheriff and the postmaster, and of course,
Mrs. Mincer and her friends had ali been
admitted free. After expenses had been
paid Mr.. HaCkensack had 50 left, which
sum satisfied the widow as far as it went,
but, unhappily, it did not go far enough.
"There is nothing to do" remarked Mr..
Hackensack confidentially 20 his wife,
sitting on the trunks in the back chamber
that night after the "bene,it," ''nO5hing
but to settle down as We cannot settle
up"
"What do you meant" obtusely ques-
toned his wife and business partner.
"Why what can 1 mean but to settle
down in Oak City and go into business? [
think [ shall open a hotel"
Mrs. Hacknsaek merely opened her eyes
in astonishment.
"Better catch your hotel first pa" sleep
lily suggested the eldest son and heir, pull
ing the bedclOthes over his ears.
The very next morning Mr.. Hackensack
started out to begin the process of set
thing down. The postmaster owned q little
lunch room and confectionery, which his
wife was tired of managing. He was
willing to sell the establishment to Mr..
Haekensack on easy payments, taking
chattel mortgage. The same day the
consolidation" moved out of the board
ing house and into the little room behind
the restaurant. Here Mr.. Hackensack's
natural ability as an advertiser was afford
ed full play, and the widespread curiosity
and desire to see and converse with the
talented members of the consolidation"
made business lively the first week. After
that Mrs. Hackensack's excellent cooking
continued to ''draw," when her beautiful
seemed in a fair way TO make a living and
pay their debts besides.
1t was several weeks before another
"show" happened along in that remote
vicinity. A dramatic company desired to
stop over one night on account of
change in their dates. The agent met
Mr.. Hackensack at The station and inquir-
ed with regard to hotel accommodations.
Mr.. Hackensack easily insinuated that
he WIS the only hotel proprietor in Oak
City.
"Who posts the bills?"
II do" was the reply.
"Who hauls the baggage~
II attend to that also," admitted Mr..
Hackensack.
The agent was anxious to leave on the
next train, and only waited long enough
TO contract with the obEging proprietor
board and lodging for eleven people
during one day and night at "Haoken-
sack hotel"
The happy landlord carried the con
tract TO his wife.
ELEVEN people!" gasped Mrs. Hacken-
sack, IN faint voice; "what, where will
you put them?"
"I'll put 'em somewhere" cheerfuuy re
sponded her husband; take my word for
it.
The important day arrived. Eleven
well dressed Thes plans and a large dog,
followed by a startling array of trunks,
were deposited at the door of the "only
popular restaurant" in the town. The
place was too small to afford standing
room, and several actors and the dog
were obliged to stay outside with the
baggage.
The manager entering last, and strid-
ing up to the beaming Mr.. Rackensack,
vociferously demanded to be informed
what kind of mistake was this.
''No mistake at eli, sir" blandIy re
piled the proprietor.
"Where is the hotel?"
| at is coming, sir; the hotel will be
here at the proper time. 1t has been
delayed but It will certainly arrive be
| fore dinner"
"What do you say?" cried the manager,
backing away from the proprietor in
alarm, ''What sort of hotel have you
| got, and where in thunder do you keep
it,"
"You need have no upeasiness," said
| Mr.. Hackensack soothingly; "unfortun-
ately my hotel is not on the ground at
this moment, but it is on the road, and if
you will step this way you will see that it
| is coming as fast as possible"
The company rushed out and directed
their gaze up the street; there, coming
around the corner, half block away, was
a small frame building, elevated en- roll
ers and drawn by two scanty mules, as
sisted by three darkeys. 1t had an ap-
pearance of having seen its best days, but
otherwise probably the richest man in the
| would Oresaute1 a
structure to Mr.. Hackensack on the sole
| nnnli&;n,, Of e. ,,r,niiata remnunl from,