The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-01-07


fear everything will not be ready in
time"
"That's it," said one Of the small
group, 1--WE are slaves and must be late
or early as the so-called masters choose"
"Oh, there is extra pay," said Brad
ley with smile, as he took scat.
Gentlemen, said the chairman, rap
ping on the desk, "we will now proceed
to business. The secret committee has
met and made resolution. After the
lots are drawn it will be my task to in
form the man chosen what the lob is.
1t is desirable that as few as possible,
even among ourselves, should know who
the man is s'who has drawn the marked
paper. Perhaps it may be my own good
fortune to be the chosen man. One of
the papers is marked with cross. Who
ever draws that paper is to communicate
with me at my room within two days.
He is to come alone. It is commanded
by the committee that no man is to look
at his paper until he leaves this room
and then to examine il in secret. He is
bound by his oath to tell no one at any
time whether or not he is the chosen
man"
The papers were put into a hat and
each man in the room drew one. The
chairman put his in his pocket as did
the Others. The doors were unlocked
and each man made his way to his
home.
Next evening Bradley called at the
room of the chairman and said: "There
is the marked paper which drew last
night"
The exhibition building was gay with
bunting and was sonorous with the
sounds of band. The machinery that
would not stop for six months was still
motionless, for it was to be started in an
hours time by His Highness. His High
ness and suite had not yet arrived, but
tho building was crowded by q we'll
dressed throng of invited guests-the
best1m the land as far as fame and money
went. Underneath the grand stand where
His Highness and the distinguished
guests were to make speeches and where
the finger OF nobility was to press the
electric button. Bradley walked anx-
iously about with the same haggard look
on his face that was there the night he
thought Of slipping into the Thames.
The place underneath was wilderness
ofbeams and braces. Bradley's wooden
tool chest stood on the ground against
one OF the timbers. The foreman came
through and struck beam or a brace
here and there.
Everything is all right, " he said to
Bmdley. "There will be no trouble,
even If it was put up in hurry and in
spite of the strain that win be on 1t to-
day"
Bradley was not so sure of that, but
he said nothing. When the foreman left
him alone he cautiously opened the lid
of his tool chest and removed the car
pentcr's apron which covered something
in the bottom. This something was
small box with clock work arrange.
ment and small miniature uplifted ham
mer that hung like the sword of Damocles
over little copper cap. He threw the
apron over it again, closed the lid of the
chest, leaned against one of the timbers,
folded his arms and waited.
Presently there was tremendous
cheer and the band struck up. ''He is
coming" said Bradley to himself and
closed his lips tighter. "Carpenter,
cried the policeman, putting in his head
through the little wooden door at the
foot of the stage, ''come here quick.
You can get splendid sight of His
Highness as he comes up the passage"
Bradley walked to the opening and gazed
at the distinguished procession coming
toward him. Suddenly he grasped the
arm of the policeman like wise.
''Who is that man in the robes-at the
head of the procession2"
"Don't you knowe That is His High
ness"
Bradley grasped for breath. He recog-
nized His Highness as the man he had
met on the embankment.
"Thank you" he said the policeman,
who looked at him curionsly. Then he
went under the grand stand among the
beams and braces and leaned up against
one of the timbers with knitted brows.
After few moments he stepped to
his chest, pulled out the apron aud care
fully lifted out the machine. With a
quick jerk he wrenched off the little
hammer and flung it from him. The
inside whirred for moment
with soft purr like clock runnig
down. He opened the box and shook
out into his apron a substance like damp
saw-dust. He seemed puzzled for a
while what to do with it. Finally he |
took it out and scattered it along the
grass-growu slope Of railway cutting. |
He had failed in his terrible undertaking, |
but he had saved the life of the man
who once stood between him aud suicide.
Detroit Free Press.