Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-06-29
BILLY GREGG.

tropolis of London. There is no harm in
that, for many good and estimable people
live within sight of the great glass house
| the proximity of which seems to make them
chary about throwing stones. Consequent
ly Tompkins was 10th to tell Billy Gregg
just what he thought of him.
Billy looked upon the wine when it was
red Gn Burgundy bottle and white Gn a
bottle of champagne). The color did not
matter to Billy so long as the wine was
sound and old. Youth and age never get
along SO hilariously as when the young
man about town and old wine from the eel
lar meet.
So the wicked Billy Gregg went on his
way rejoicing, aided by the lampposts and
cautioned by the police, until one night
new world burst upon him. The new
world was peopled principally by animated
nature-monkeys and balloons such as nev-
| er were harbored by the Zoo; but the chief
| inhabitants, besides Billy himself, were
snakes.
| When Billy emerged from this geological
| horror, he determined to reform He re-
solved to proceed with caution. He did
not go so far as to abjure liquor altogether
he felt that was asking too much Of his
system-but he resolved to drink method
ically, and he began to drink secretly, which
is dangerous thing for man.
Tompkins called upon him in his cham
bers one day and saw at glance how
things were going. So he invited Billy to
come down and visit him from Saturday to
Monday in the virtuous precincts of the
Crystal palace.
Tompkins was wise and said nothing of
| g. l,,,t l. a,al
surprise for him.
Billy said that his nerves had somehow
gone wrong, and that he would be glad of
day or two of quiet with the grateful and
comforting sight of the Crystal palace be-
fore his eyes.
Now, it happens that in the grounds of
the Crystal palace and in an unfrequented
part of them, for the crowd as general
thing haunts The immediate vicinity of the
huge building itself, there is lake with
numerous islands and quiet shady walk
around its borders This lake is situated
in wooded dell in the low grounds as far
as possible from the big building 1t is a
quiet spot of soothing natural beauty, but
art has added peculiar horror toit.
On the islands, and by the margin of the
lake, and here and there in the water have
been placed huge reproductions in some
waterproof material of the antediluvian
animals which scientists, doubtless suffer
ing from the strong drinks of former days,
have imagined the earth to have been pop
ulated with. No sane man believes that such
creatures ever existed on any planet called
into being by an allwise Providence.
The punishment fits the crime, and the
names are as horrible as the animals them
selves. There is the anoplotherium, the
J iguanadon, the palaeotherium and other
J uncanny appellations,
Long, giraffelike necks project up into
the air from great boated bodies. Winged
sea serpents stand erect in the water Huge
elephantlike creatures, with bodies like bal
looms and ears like wings of satan, Chamber
up over the islands. Ghastly nightmares
meet one at every turn along the walk that
fringes the margin of the lake. A ghost
: haunted graveyard at midnight is a cheer
full, enlivening spot compared with that
lake at any time in the "a hours.
On Saturday afternoon Tompkins warm
ly welcomed his friend Gregg and took
him down the shady paths that led to the
margin of the lake.
,, Gregg did not care much for country
walks They were not in his line, but he
accompanied his friend uncomplainingly
"What l like about this" said Tomp
, kins, sis the refreshing quiet and rest.
, Five days out of the six in these parts OF
the grounds you meet nobody; nothing
meets the eye but the SYLVAN
Gregg nervously clutched his arm.
For mercy's sake" he cried, whats
that2"
whats what2" asked Tompkins, look
ing calmly at his friend.
"What Is that coming out of the water?"
Tompkins gazed serenely around, and
looked at his friend with u certain surprise
upon his brow.
~ see nothing" he said. "What was it9
A rat perhaps"
mo, no." gasped Gregg, drawing his
hand across his eyes "It was not rat
1t was nothing. My imagination perhaps. )"
"Your nerves are overstrained," said the
innocent Tompkins. "You have been
working too hard"
"That's it; that's it," assented Gregg,
with tremor in his voice.
"Well, as 1 was saying" continued
Tompkins, "the sylvan beauty of this spot
makes it favorite ramble of mine, espe-
cially in the evening. 1t has a soothing and
calming effect, especially after a man has
put in hard days work. A restful scene
like this, the smooth water in the evening
light, the twitter of the birds, the sight of
| bOilo Bcutlc uttiS pIcouJ oQuuTcl Ol
the"-
Billy Gregg suddenly put his hands on
the shoulders of his friend, and his body
swayed to and fro.
For heavens sake" he cried, "look at
that island and tell mewhat you see. What
is that creature with body like Somerset
House and ears like Battersea park, climb
/ ing up out of the water? You don't mean
/ to tell me there is nothing there?"
Tompkins looked at his friend with well
assumed amazement on his face
"Gregg," he said, there is something
the matter with you. You are not in the
usual state of health. Does not your own
good sense show you that there can be nc
such animal as you describeP"
~ know it, l know it. Tompkins," he
3 cried suddenly, clinging to his friend, II
l have lied to you. admit it. I've had 'em
} before, but never in this shape. Tompkins,
l have been drinking toe much. Take me
home with you and write out a cast iron
pledge, and Tll sign it 16 times. Call in all
your friends to witness it, but for Gods
sake let us get out of this quiet, peaceful
| Sylyan ratreat ~