The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1892-01-02
A BABY OR A TIGER.

Mail line was only twenty four hours
out from the Isthmus Dui already four
congenial spirits had formed a friend
ship and were seated In the smoking
room talking OF the business and
pleasure that marked thor years OF
life In different countries Of South
America. for all had come from points
below the equator.
II was IL o'clock The night was
lovely, hardly "a ripple could be seen
on The moon frosted water. and the
Colon forged ahead as though crossing
pond. throwing aside phosphores-
cent spray and kicking up swirl OF
ere with her propeller as she knocked
Oh fourteen knots an hour.
John Devine a civil engineer who
had been working along the line OF
ihe Oroya railroad in Peru. had been
telling about the marvellous construc-
ton OF this roadway. and incidentally
had remarked that during all The time
he spent In South America he had not
seen a wild animal except one small
tiger and that far in the interior. As
ho mentioned this one OF the party
was noticed to draw back and shudder
as n cold.
What is it, Captain? Let's have
the story said an American consul
who was going home on leave, I'm
warrant there's something rather In
tercsiing II you would tell IT, "
Yes let's hear it, chimed in the
other two.
Capt Paul lighted second long.
BLACK cheroot and replied: Well
irs curious yarn aud ! sometimes
wonder whether | really passed
through II all or not but when IL
seems only dream TO me all have
10 do Is TO look into my trunk. There
is something there tnat l. vivid re-
minder OF the night that will tell
you about and that something | will
show You in the morning.
or course, gentlemen you know
that Mrs. Paul accompanies me, but |
don't suppose you have noticed my g.
year-old son who Is cared for by a
Peruvian nurse.
II have" remarked the consul
sand a sturdy looking little fellow he
g."
When the lad was n i0-months-
baby continued the captain, II was
ordered 20 Guayaquil. Ecuador. As
you probably know, have been re-
presenting marine underwriters In
South America. having been sent there
10 prevent agents for damaged ships
making too extensive repairs at our
expense have been sent by my en-
plOycrs 70 superintend work on
steamer which had sunk In the Quay
aquil river at that point
1T meant q four months stay IN that
hot little town sixty miles from the
sea coast and SO a. once rented
litpe furnished house two miles from
ihe town and installed my wife. baby
and servant there. | bought good
horse and rode back and forth every
morning and evening.
One day ! had been detained Ia
town and IL was nearly midnight
when mounted my horse TO return
for there had been n survey held that
day on the steamer which by this time
had been raised and / waited TO hcar
Tho report The night was perfect
one. much like this. | had moonlight
10 cheer my way until near home but
the last rays came over the hill rs
rode past he house, and they just
showed ne shat the front door was
half open. II must have those doors
closed ni night thought l. ns ! rode
into the stable and taking of Toms
saddle threw him some hay and
walked back 10 the cottage
You arc all aware how carefully
man walks when no enters house
where ycar-old baby u.s. Indeed. &c
- solf-pre,eryatlon In many cusos
Aud in this instance | did what many
a father has done before me. took
o9 my shoes on tha doorstep MY
room was tho first one OF the hall and
/ entered II on tptoe and stole along
sido the bed There was a peculiar
little wheeling noise coming from one
side ~ the bcd. II was pitch dark In
she room. but knew that baby was
there At frst I thought / would go
into my wifcs room Ia the front OF the
hour, but as slowly undressed ar
gnod that her placing the baby in my
bed proved that 81 had had "A pretty
bad evening so | decided 20 crawl In
lse.de h yonugster aud not disturb
the ~ )thor ! undressed noiselessly.
aud d, aiming my nighgown. laY down