Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-12-04
A Reign Of Terror.

buffers and robbers infestiDg the falls,
there are enough left to make every
sight-seer 60 away mad and disgust
ed. l knew all the old tricks and
swindlers, but this time I was going the
rounds without kick. In the omni-
bus, going over from the station, was
small, slender, pale-faced young
man with dismal cough, and l won
dered if he wasn't going to commit
suicide by leaping into the water
above the falls. We put up at the
same hotel, ate breakfast together,
and then strolled out in company
He was very quiet, but when outside
the hotel he suddenly inquired:
"How would you like to do the
place with me y"
II have no objections"
"Do you know the ropes ?"
eyes, pretty WE'LL"
"Well, here is how we will 60. l
am to pay all the bills, settle all dis
putes, and you are to be my witness" F"
"Witness to what2"
"You'll see later on. Keep your
eyes and ears open and be ready to
swear to the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth"
At that moment hackman ap-
preached and wanted to know if we
intended to cross the bridge. If 80 he
would take us over to Canada for a
certain price, which was the regular
price.
you'll land us in Canada for that,
will you ?" asked my unknown.
81 will"
"Jot that down." he said to me,
and after had placed it on record
we got into the hack.
AS we reached the toll-gate at the
bridge the hack stopped and the driv-
er called out,
"Pay your toll I"
Toll! Toll We have nothing
to do with the TOLL" replied my
friend.
Cant cross with out il"
"Then you must pay it!"
mot by jug full!"
"Then turn around and take us
back"
He wheeled the carriage around,
drove back few rods, jumped down
and opened the door and said:
81 want my money!
"For whatp
Oh, you come off! Give me dol
lar or I'll take it out Of your hide !"
"Now
"But will p
"Jot that down." commanded the
unknown, and when l had it down he
hauled off and knocked the hackman
into the ditch, and then sat on him
and mauled him until he yelled like
a calf.
Then we returned to the main street,
rested for few minutes, and the
young man asked:
"There's a whirlpool here, isn't
there ?"
EYES,"
He called to driver and ask how
much to 20 down and see the whirl-
pool.
Fifty cents apiece"
"Jot that down."
l jotted, and we got into the hack
and were driven down. The driver
stopped in front Of structure, open
ed the door, and we were confronted
by the sign of: whirlpool down
stairs-fifty cents admission"
"How's this ?" queried my friend. :.
"You pay to 60 down Of course"
But you agreed to bring us down
and let us see the whirlpool for a
dollar"
Look here, bub, want no fooling.
Hand me my dollar"
"Never!"
"Then look out"
Next moment the hackman lay
sprawling ON the ground. and he got
all he wanted before he was OH his
feet again. That il, he said he did,
and for once in his life he probably
told the truth.
As we returned to the village on
foot the unknown asked me il there
was ANYTHING else l wanted done.
He wasn't even breathing hard yet,
and consumptive cough was certainly
no worse. / suggested TO him that
we 20 over to Goat Island and inter-
terview the proprietor Of refresh
ment stand who swindled me the year
before. He cheeriully consented, and
in due time we reached the place
The same man was there. He had
the same hungry look on his sheet
iron contenancc. He had q sign up
"Ice Cream-Ten Cents a DISH" It
was the sign of the year before. 1t
had taken me in, but after the cream
had been devoured he collected fif-