The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1891-03-05


locked. He looked better than he had
done year before on the Thames en-
bankment.
Il know I'm late, but couldn't help
1t. They are rushing things at tho ex-
hibition grounds The time is short
now. and they are beginning to be
anxious for fear every thing will not be
ready in time."4
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 a seat
Gentlemen" said the chairman, rap
ping on the desk, 1--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 Job is.
1t is desirable that as few as possible,
even among ourselves, should know
who the man is 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
| w
communicate with me at my room with
in two days. He is to come alone. It
is commanded by the commi stee that
no man is to look at his paper until he
leave this room and then to examine it
in secret. He is bound by his oath to
tell no one at any time whether or not
he is tho chosen man.
The papers were put into hat and
each man in the room drew one. Tho
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 exposition 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
| Highness and suite had not yet arrived,
but the building was crowded by a
|
the best in the land as far as fame and
money went. Underneath the grand
stand where his Highness and the dis
tinguished guests were to make
speeches and where the finger of nobili-
ty was to press the electric button,
Bradley walked anxiously about with
the same haggard look on his face that
was there the night he thought of slip
ping into the Thames. The place
underneath was wilderness of beams
and braces. Bradley's wooden tool
chest stood OH the ground against one
of the timbers. Tho foreman came
through and struck beam or brace
here and there.
every thing is all right, he said to
Bradley. There will be no trouble.
even if it aoas put Up IN hurry and in
spite of the strain that will be on it 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
carpenters apron which covered some
thing in tho bottom. This something
was a small box with clock work
arrangement and small miniature up
lifted hammer 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 a 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 a.
the foot of the stage; ''come here
quick. You can get q splendid sight o.
his Highness as be comes up the pas
sage" Bradley walked to the opening
and gazed at the distinguished process
sion 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 procession"
Don't you know? That is his High
ness"
Bradley gazed for breath. He recog
. nized his Highness as the man as be
, had met on the embankment
Thank you, he said to the police
man, who looked at him curiously,
Then he went under the grand stand
among the beams and braces ant
leaned up against one of the timber'
, with knitted brows.
After few moments he stepped tc
, his chest, pulled out the apron and
carefully lifted out the machine. Will
quick jerk he wrench off the little
. hammer and flung it from him. Th'
, machinery inside whirred for momen
with soft purr like clock running
down. He opened the box and shool
out into his apron a substance like
damp sawdust. He seemed puzzled 70
awhile what to do with it. Finally h'
= took it out and scattered it along thu
grass-grown slope of railway cutting
Then he returned to his tool chest, tool
t out chisel and grimly felt its edg'
J, with his thumb.
1t was admitted on all hands that hi
s Highness never made better speecl
o in his life than on the occasion OF th'