Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-07-12

best A variety of detentions might oc-.
cur. A slight accident to the machinery,
and all would be lost.
was nearly consumed with anxiety,
but the ship acted up to her reputation,
and ON the 18th of March stepped once
more on to French soil
cast the ship look of gratitude as
she lay at the Havre pier letting of steam
from her monstrous boiler.
Then glanced at my watch. 1t was
in the afternoon. There was plenty
time for me to dine at my ease and catch
the $40 express. That would bring me
to Paris at half past IL.
/ took out my time table to make
sure. As ran my eye on the column of
figures, an inspiration came to me.
Where's the use of starting this
EVENING"" said to myself. "If get
there too early, it will look as if 1 were
afraid of losing the wager How much
better to arrive at the very last second,
with brilliancy and dash and dramatic
effect, just as they do on the stage That
would be worthy of a geniusl Now, here
is train which leaves Havre tomorrow
morning at 6:55 and reaches the st.
Lazare station at 1880. The time fixed
for me to meet the fellow at the Office of
The Semaphore just behind the Stock
Exchange is before the first stroke of
noon. can easily go from st. Lazare to
the Exchange in eight minutes in cab
so there is nothing to prevent my appear.
ing in the nick of time, just as Phileas
Fogg did, after making every ones heart
palpitate with suspense. That's settled.
I shall not go on until tomorrow
Accordingly went with my baggage
to the best hotel, dined comfortably, took
walk through the town, smoking a
cigar, and returned at 10 to go to bed.
81 must take the 6:55 train tomorrow
morning." I said to the hotel proprie-
tor. ''Can you have me wakened in
timer"
''We have Trustworthy man on pur-
pose for that work, was the reply.
''That may be-" said I skeptically;
''but, after all, if you could let me have
an alarm clock, l would feel more safe. I"
ST will lend you my own, although l
assure you it is unnecessary, said the
host, and accordingly carried the tiny
clock to my room, wound the alarm, set
it at 6, stood it on q little table beside
the bed and went to sleep with a quiet
mind.
was in heavy slumber when felt
my arm being shaken violently.
"What's the matter?" I grumbled
without opening my eyes.
''You have only just time, sir" said
q voice in my ear.
/ "Time for what?" I asked, looking
up drowsily.
''To catch your train, was the reply.
sat up and glanced at the clock. 1t
was half past 6!
Without another word, leaped from
the bed with such precipitation that
threw down the table with the little
clock, dashed into my clothes, crowded
my few belongings into my trunk fran
tically, flew down the stairs four at a
time, sprang into the stage which was
awaiting me, hardly drew breath until
l was ON the train
Oufl What a close squeeze! Two min.
utes more, and would have lost my bet.
However, all's well that ends we'll.
had my ticket; my trunk was on the
train; the whistle sounded Twas off for
Paris.
When | entered the st. Lazare station,
the hands Of the big clock pointed to
| ta1 et 4
that there was time for me to take my
trunk with me.
At that moment it appeared in the
arms Of two porters, who were carrying
it with the greatest care. Confound
them, how slow they were What fool
ever accused the railway companies Of
handling baggage roughly? hastened
| toward the men, exclaiming:
''Be quick now'
had hardly uttered the words when
heavy hand was laid on my shoulder,
and turning round to see the cause Of
such familiarity I found myself face to
face with gendarme.
''What is the matter with you?" I
uShou Ill dltltASulellG.
''Matter enough" replied the man in
jeering tone, Tightening his hold. "You
will seer'
Behind the gendarme came two rail-
way officials. They stopped over my
trunk solemnly, turned their heads as if
listening, then stood up and exchanged
glance, which plainly said, "There is
no doubt Of it. +"
''They are crazy" thought, but then
O ahorrible conviction flashed through my
brain.
Whether the men were sane or not,
one thing was sure, it was 40 minutes
past II.
At all hazards must make my escape.
I shook myself free Of the gendarme q
grasp, and knocking over two or three
people in my fight dashed madly away,
but was stopped by two custom house
officers, who seized me by the collar.
was dragged, protesting and gesticulat-
ing, back to where my trunk stood.
There was evidently mistake some
where.
''Let me co. I cried, ''let me gol
And swear will come back in an
hour
The gendarme's lips described smile
behind his thick nlustache as he took
possession Of me again, this time with
both. hands.
"Come now, don't try that" said
one of tho railway officials. ''You may
as well confess. You arrived from New
York in great haste and under suspi.
cious circumstances. Who are you
What have you in this trunk?"
"Clothes, nothing but my clothes, -
answered, speaking worse French than
usual in my agitation.
| AoJ1 In, Il