Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-07
AROUND THE WORLD.

never 1allS 10 2IIeIiu IrSJ represent atlciiS,
little dreamed Nov II last, on the revival
of Around the World in Eighty Days, :"
that they were not quite up to the tines.
Twas really so, however. That very
morning the legendary Phileas Fogg had
been beaten. outdoye and sheived as one
who had outlived his usefulness. And by
whom BY simple Partisan dude, by
our friend Louis Vernet, a sympathetic
boulevardier, bat a person of but little
consequence Eccentric Albion steps down
from her pedestal and another legend is
cast to the winds.
This is how il happened:
About three months ago, in the smoking
room Of a cafe on the boulevard, Louis
Nernet was reading the theatrical news
on the fourth page Of a newspaper.
"Hello! what is thiS:n exclaimed he.
suddenly 'tWel. / declare; they are
sickeaing with their around the World
in Eighty Days. Why, they will soon be
trying TO have us believe it was the thir-
teenth labor of Herculesr'
''And still sir, >" replied a voice with
broad English accent that of a person I'M
known to Louis Vernet, ''it was, most as
suredly, great feat. The best proof that
it was IN undertaking of some conse-
Quence is that the amusing French writer
had to make one of my 'countrymen the
hero that succeeded III accomplishing it. "
Louis Vernet turned his head around
and coolly replied:
"Weu, for my part, l maintain that
your PhileaS FOgg was as slow as a turtle,
and I would be willing to bet that | could
do better than her'
You would go around the world
in-?'
Lets say seventy days, if you wishr'
''Ill bet that You can't do it. -
"What will you wager"
cone hundred thousand francs"
Louis Vernet scratched his head.
zone hundred thousand francs, " said
he. Il haven't that sum with me, nor at
home, either, Tor that matter. But If you
viii kindly give me until tomorrow even
ing shall see some of my friends who
will probably back me up, and then shall
be yours to command. "
The stranger bowed, handed Louis Yer
net his card and the two men took leave
o each other
This is why on Wednesday, November
the 18th, Louis Nernet gave sigh of sat
isfaction rs he set foot upon the quay at
Havre. He had left Paris on the Sth OF
September and he had to be back a. noon
P.
no time in travelling, and it was with no
little anxiety that on the 9Th of Novem-
her, he had embarked at New York on
the Marsouin. Would they reach Hayre
on the 18th as every one said they would?
There were many chances against it. The
least obstacle, the slightest flaw in the
machinery and all w8s lost. But the
Narsouin upheld her reputation as the
hest French transatlantic steamer. Al
the stated hour she was mo0red TO the
docks at Hayre, having crossed the Allan
tic in less than seven days.
The gallant vessel after this furious
race, seemed happy A. have chance to
rest, Fad the engines, Ss if fatigued by the
exertlons they had been making, beloved
as they blew off the steam, now no longer
needed, while the foot bridge discharged
upon the quay a long stream Of passengers
and porters carrying their baggage.
Louis Neruet turned around and cast a
look of gratitude upon the noble steamer.
He looked at his watch. -Four O'Clock!
He had ample time to dine comfortably
before taking the sac express, when
would land him in Paris at 1880 O'Clock,
Was that riCht2 He looked ct his time
table. As he ran over the columns OF fig
ures Il smile fitted across his lips.
After all. why not What is the use
of going this evening, anyhow. it viii
look as if | were afraid of being behind
rimei No STYLE about that, old man, no
style mt all! The chic the pschutt, the
y'Ian. Is TO arrive as late as one can, at
the hast minute, if possible. That's the
way artists do, when they want to maks
a great hit Now. there is a train leav-
ing in the morning, ~ Goo, by which /
will get TO the st. Lazare depot at ll;3o.
Our rendezvous il fixed for IL o clock, IN
the Office of the !Semaphore, just behind
ole exchange. From the station 10 The
exchange will take me but eight minutes
in the first hack | come across There
fore there is nothing toprevent my reach
ing the French Semaphore Office at IL
O'Clock sharp. In this way l shall have
all that are interested in the bet on the
tiptoe of expectation until the very last
minute. That settles it; | win not start
until tomorrow"
Louis Nernet had his trunks taken to
the Crowned Dog hotel, the principal
house in Havre He diBed quietly, and
after his meal he smoked good cigar
while taking a walk about town. Al lO
he returned to the hotel to go 20 bed.
Monsieur" said he TO the landlord be-
fore retiring, Il have to leave in tho
morning 10y the 600 train. VIII you
promise to have me awakened in times
I'VE have for that purpose tTusty
waiter" replied the landlord. Monsieur
nav sleep on botn ears. he VIII not miss
his train"
Nevertheless if you have an alarm
clock that you can lend me | would feel
moro ~ ease.
''Why. certainly. sir. There Is but one
in the house-Iny own. You may have it, =
Louis Nernet thanked the host and
went upstairs 10 his room. He set the
alarm for O'Clock, placed the clock On
the chitfonier near the head of his bed
and slept the sleep of the just.
He was still sound asleep when some
body shook his arm.
'Fh! sir''
''What? what Is the matters
''The matter is thai you Just have
time"
'.Time for what:''
'.To reach the station"
Louis Nernet glanced az the alarm
clock
Halt past sixr' cried he, in voice Of
CONSERVATION.
He sprap- from his bed so hastily that
he overturned the chifonieT, slipped on
his pantaloons, drew OFF his nightshiCt
end threw it on the floor, dressed himself
IN five minutes, gathered UP his scattered
effects IN iiny. strapped his trunk, few
down the stairs. four steps at Il time,
leaned into the omnibus which awaited
him. and only breathed freely when he
boarded the train.
Phew! that was q scare. And 70 say
thai i've minutes later his bee would have
49,, 1T I'--p -l,- s,ar b., II yVg-1ll have