The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-24
A CLOSE CALL"


II remember of once having a very mar
row escape from death; and the recollection
is always forced strongly upon me when
ever | am trif1e i'll and feel the need of
medicine"
Thus said my companion as we drew our
chairs little nearer to the Large round
stove that occupied the center of the wait
ing room of a small station house at juno
ton on the - railroad.
1t was in midwinter, and heavy fall of
snow that day had drifted into deep cut
a number of miles down the road, so that
the train we were both intending to take
was very much delayed. In fact, it was
scarcely possible to say just how long we
were doomed to wait in that little coop of
a station house. Luckily there was only
the two of us, for any number would have
found poor accommodations, both as to
food-a little of which was furnished us by
the station man-and the seating and heat
ing capacity of the place.
1t was just growing night, and my COM
panion in affiiction-Yho, by the way, had
travelled extensively shd thus learned to
take unavoidable circumstances with a
very easy and philosophical spirit-had
lighted another cigar and thrown open the
stove door, in order, as he said, ''to put as
much life on the scene as possible"
The fire burned briskly, and from the
open door there came long, diverging
CLEAN of light, which fell directly upon the
countenance of my friend seeming to deep
en- the burrows, yet at the same time cover
ing all with an appearance of composure
| therefore assumed an easy posture
considering the hard, time worn chair oc-
cupied-and looking at the features of the
narrator / listened while he gave me this
experience:
| had charge of the city trade that year
for the firm | am still with, and was there
fore pretty well acquainted with all the
druggists and with many of their clerks.
1t was at time of the year when bust
ness was unusually brisk and found that
sometimes had no small amount of extra
work to do. For instance, upon this par
ticular occasion had been asked by the
house to run out to small suburban place
on an important matter, and yet l had
pledged certain of the trade to see them on
that day; and therefore l found it consid-
erably past dark, and raining coldly, when
got back to the city
1t is not very exhilarating to ones spirits
to think of starting right out and making
four or five places-involving as many
miles of travel-before you can have rest.
and, moreover, in such weather, when
you're mighty tired, and about half sick in
the bargain. But the firm depended on me,
and was bound to cover the ground.
So, without even taking my supper,
jumped into cab and directed the driver
TO the first point on my route.
After turning this way and that and
splashing through mud for half an hour,
the driver pulled up before the blue and red
lights of a corner drug store.
| soon transacted my business and was
Just about leaving, when, having a hearty
acquaintance with the clerk, and at that
particular moment suffering some extra
pangs in my stomach, | said:
Charlie, put me up about half an ounce
of hydrocholic acid. I'm sometimes troubled
with my stomach-some sort of dyspepsia.
i guess-and find that few drops of the
acid help me better than anything else
can use"
He went about preparing the medicine, |
while we continued a running conversation. i
tie was quite fellow to talk, and as we
were alone in the store he gave himself |
free line.
took the small bottle he handed me, |
placed it III my pocket, and again started |
on my rounds.
1t was almost 10 o'clock when | reached /
my last stopping place, and as it was but |
block distant frgm ny house l dismissed |
my cab and went into the store.
Finding no one present but new clerk
only remained moment, being too desir
Gus of finding warmth and rest for nv cole
and weary frame
Stepping out into the storm buttonee
my coat snugly about me and started on
slow run for my residence.
l had done maybe half the distance when
/ was startled by loud cries coming from
some point in the darkness ahead of me. !
stopped, and then there came 10 nv ears:
Cab! cabl Hold! For Gods sake, cab,"
could see the light from the cab | had
Just discharged about block down the
dark avenue, and peeriGg again through
the olackness ! could discover that the
drivers attention had been attracted by the
call, and that he had refined in his horse.
Only some one wanting to go down town
thought, and yet the peculiarly pleading
character and evident fright of those tones
did noy leave me
went on, however, bur had only GOV
,Tei rev steps when heard some one run
,spidly along on the opposite side of the
street.
Inc person was nanifestly very much
frightened, for l could hear the quick,
'Tthng cries he gave out as he sped over
he wet walk
or some reason or other felt strangely
sno strongly influenced by this occurrence.
mo instead Of passing oa-as would have
lone upon almost any other occasioD-II
tood there IN the drilling rain watching
lnd listening 20 the fieeting figure. though
could hear much better than could see
Looking back and following the cries /
Don saw, by the rays from a dim street