Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-05-18
BEWARE THE BOMB"

MARY L. NuEluS III Sl LOulS hSpuU1Cs
''BEWARE THE BOMB"
was looking over the papers in the
smoking room of Paris cafe. My eye
CHANGED to fall upon the ECHOES of the
STAGE column, and exclaimed aloud:
cat it againn'
A Frenchman sitting near me looked
up in wonder at my petulant tone, SO I
hastened to explain, speaking fuently in
very bad French:
Ground the World In Eighty Days
is on the boards again Will they ever
have done with that absurd affair? They
seem to think it a feat equal to the Ia
bors Of Hercules. y
The Frenchman looked shocked.
"Phileas Fogg was no better than
tortoise!'' cried boastfully. Il could
do much better than he''--
"You can go around the world in less
than so days?' asked my nearer slowly,
and I answered in the same tone:
IT will go round the world in 20 days
if you like %
ST take you up!'' he cried.
''What do you bet?"
give thousand francs"
''Done, :" said I, and we exchanged
cards and bows
That was how it came about that l
left Paris for the east OH the 9th of Jan
uary and stepped on board a transatlan-
tic steamer from New York pier on
the 9th of March. So far I had not lost
a minute and now it only remained to
be seen whether should reach Havre in
seven days. as the steamship company
promised. 1t would be a close shave at
best. A variety Of detentions might &C.
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.
1 cast the ship a look Of gratitude as
she lay at the Havre pier letting off steam
from her monstrous boiler.
Then I glanced at my watch. 1t was
Il LII l1lC tt4tClIOOli. IhCIC Weto piSiiey
time for me to dine at my ease and catch
the $40 express That would bring me
to Paris at half past II.
l took out my time table to make
sure. AS I ran my eye on the column of
figures all inspiration came to me.
where's the use of starting this
evening"" I said to Alyself. eff 1 get
there too early, it will look as if 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 OH the stage. That
would be worthy of a genius! Now, here
is a train which leaves Havre tomorrow
morning at 6:55 and reaches the st.
Lazare station at 80. 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 I can easily go from st. Lazare to
the Exchange in eight minutes in a 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 l went with my baggage
to the best hotel, dined comfortably, took
a walk through the town, smoking a
cigar, and returned at 10 to go to bed
ST must take the 6:55 train tomorrow
morning. said to the hotel proprie
tor "Can you have me Weakened in
time?''
"We have trustworthy man on pur-
pose for that work, " was the reply.
''That may be-" said I skeptically;
f'but, after all, if you could let me have
an alarm clock, I would feel more safe y
81 will lend you my own, although l
assure you it is unnecessary, said the
host, and accordingly I carried the tiny
clock to my room, wound the alarm, set
it at 6, stood it on little table beside
the bed and went to sleep with quiet
mind.
was in heavy slumber when I felt
my arm being shaken violently.
"What's the matter?' I grumbled
without opening my eyes.
"You have only just time, sir" said
voice in my ear.
''Time for what?'' I asked, looking
mp drowsily.
''To catch your train, was the reply.
sat up and glanced at the clock. It
was half past G.!
Without another word, leaped from
the bed with such precipitation that I
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
] was on the train.
OUT! What close squeeze! Two min
ntes more, and would have lost my bet,
However, a1l's well that ends we'll. I
had my ticket; my trunk was on the
train; the whistle sounded. was off for
Paris.
When entered the st. Lazare station,
the hands Of the big clock pointed to
half past II. Ihailed cab and learned
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 We're! What fool
ever accused the railway companies Of
handling baggage roughly? I fastened
toward the men, exclaiming:
FfBe quick now!"
] had hardly uttered the words when
a 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?'' 1
asked in amazement.
'sMatter enough, replied the man in
a ieering tone, tightening his hold "You
will see!"
Behind the gendarme came two rail
1yay officials. They stopped over my
trunk solemnly, turned their heads as if
listening, then stood up and exchanged
a glance, which plainly said, ''There is
no doubt Of it, -
.sThey are crazy, " thought, but then
a. horrible conviction flashed through my
brain.
Whether the men were sane Or not,
one thing was sure, it was 40 minutes
past II.