Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-12-31
A BABY OR A TIGER?

Inc steamship 0Olous Oh bhb EhciuC MAIL |
line, was only twenty-four hours out from |
the isthmus, but already four convivial
spirits had formed friendship and were
seated in the smoking room talking Of the
business and pleasure that marked their
years Of life 10 different countries Of South
America, for all had come from points be-
low the equator.
Il was Ii O'Clock A quiet little poker
game had passed the time for awhile, but
the cards had laid untouched on the table
for an hour. The night was lovely, hardly
a ripple could be seen on the moon frosted
water, and the Colon forged ahead as Il
crossing a pc throwing aside phos-
phorescent sprl md kicking up a swirl Of
fire with her pro Her as she knocked oil
fourteen knots an hour.
II was the perfect night that had induced
the four occupants Of the smoker to leave
their cards and sit beside the large door,
where they could look over the vessels rail
and at the same time converse together.
John Deyine, civil engineer who had
been working along the line Of the OToya
railroad In Peru, had been telling about
the marvellous construction Of this road
way, and incidentally had remarked that
during all the time he spent in South
America he had not seen wild animal eX
cept one small tiger, and that far In the
Interior AS he mentioned this one of the
party was noticed to draw back and shud
der as if cold,
"What is IL, captain? Let's have the
story said an American consul, who was
going home on leave. "lll warrant there's
something rather interesting II you would
tell IT,"
Eyes, let's hear itl' chimed in the other
two.
Captain Paul lighted second long, black
cheroot and Replied "Well, it's curious
yarn, and | sometimes wonder whether l
really passed through IL all or not; but
when il seems only dream TO me all
have to do is 30 look into my trunk. There
is something there that is vivid reminder
Of the night / will tell you about, and that
something will show you IN the morning
"Of course, gentlemen, you know that
Mrs Paul accompanies me, but / don't
suppose YOU have noticed my three.year-
old son, who Is cared for by Peruvian
nurse"
II have remarked the consul, "and a
sturdy looking little fellow he is
when the lad was a ten-months-old
baby continued the captain, II was or
dered to Guayaquil, Ecuador. As you
probably know, | have been representing
marine underwriters in South America,
having been sent there to prevent agents
for damaged ships making too expensive
repairs ut our expense. had been sent By
my employers to superintend work on d
steamer which had sunk in the GuayaQui
river az that point
1T meant four months stay at that
hot little town sixty miles from the sea
coast, and so l at once rented a little fur
nished house TWO miles from the city 0nC
installed my wife, baby and servants there
bought good horse and rode back anG
forth every morning and evening. 1t wa
hot and the mosquitoes were plenty 4
say nothing about heas, but our little plac
was so light and open that it caught an.
breeze that might be going, and life wa
not half bad there The house had onl
six rooms, and all were on the groun
floor, but they were sufficient frequent
ly told Mrs Paul that it was dangerous &
leave any Of the doors ajar at night, for al
though burglars are not to be feared Il
Ecuador, yet animals once in awhile cam
: out Of the jungle, aud they had been see
near the city. But as time passed and th
nights became warmer We both grew cart
less.
OnG QNN 4 MtA WAEM ANhAAH1A an N0Ml
and it was nearly midnight when / noun
: ed my horse 70 return, for there had been
0 survey held that day on the steamer, whic
{ by this time had been raised, and waite
to hear the report. The night was a pc
feet one, much like this. had mOonhgl
to cheer my way until near home, but II
last rays came over the hill rs l rode slow
:, past the house. and they just showed II
q that the front door was half open. 4 mu
8 have those doors closed at night though
I, /, as | rode into the stable and taking Q
y Toms saddle threw him some hay al
walked back 10 the cottage
you all are aware how carefully ms
walks when he enters house where
q year old baby is. Indeed. 1t is self prese
~ walton in many cases. And in this /
y stance did what many a father has do
u before me. took of my shoes on 4
70 doorstep. My room was the first one
the hall and entered IL on tiptOe and SIC
alongside Of the bed There was a peci
!, lar little wheeling noise coming fro
IL one side Of the bed. Il was pitch dark
ne the room, but knew that baby was the
N AT first l thought / would go into 4
IA wife's room in the front Of the house, b
"a as / slowly undressed l argued that
placing the baby ia my bed proved III
she had had a pretty bad evening. so l
=, cided to crawl in beside the younRster a
=. on not disturb the mother. l undress
!, noiselessly, and DOMINIC my nightgov
lay down on the opposite side OF the
Ia from the baby. AS the night was warn
did not pull even a sheet over me. Bus
still kept up loud breathing, but it did
= disturb me. though as / fell asleep l
OK member thinking that he seemed M
an snufiy than usual.
"'Ughr A weight had fallen across
chest. I didn't make this exelamat
no aloud. had been ia training as pa
ees familias too long for that. Half awak
realized that Buster had thrown himi
across my body. slowly pulled one a
out, then took hold OF him gently to
ing him off without awakening him. 'Stra
10 how long and hairy Busters head
YES thought l.
1g did you ever read Alice in won'
Oyo landr
o. "Well, had much the same sensati
l. as are described in that book, for, q
age slowly passed my hand along my bal
70 head it seemed as il it was drawn out
ot4 yards. At last / reached the end. w
the teeth he has, thought !.
lesr "Just then the teeth curled themse
Of mn
sew tsKVl,etl,ar IL Was that n,ofior ar VI