Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-06-13


on the way, near Houston street. and
the train was stopped, along with two
or three others ahead of it. What was
to be done? Should he get out and
hire a cab, or wait little to see if
the train would move on? He did
neither. He knew we'll enough a cab
would never take him there as soon
as an elevated train; SO he determined
to make for the train IN Third avenue
But the train he was in was not at
station. How was he to get OFF +!
Never was anything more unfortunate
He was simply Gagged up in the air,
with keepers and barred gates at each
end of his cage. In a few moments,
however, the train began to move back
ward. and never stopped till it came
to station where the passengers were
allowed to get off Up Houston street
flew Charley lMcGragor; he caught up
to street rar. which he boarded, and
en- which he soon reached the Third
avenue road. When he got into an
elevated train in this avenue he looked
at his watch. Twenty minutes 10 l..
Along rattleS the train at good
speed. Station after station is reached
and passed; no Interruptions this time,
and at last the conductor calls out:
Hanover square,
Out flies Charlie; down the steps and
into the street. Unhappily a great, fat
fellow, with a companion Of almost
equal size stands right in his way.
Charley, not having time for ceremony
pushes rudely past them, and flies
onward like one possessed. The fat
man is provoked. He thinks, or pre-
tends to think, that the rude stranger
is runaway, and he shouts at the top
of his voice:
'IStop thiefr'
Charley heard the cry, but he pressed
on without needing it, Fortunately
there were not many others to hear it,
or it might have put stop to his pre-
cipitate career. SO he strobe on as if
he were the leader in a walking
match, and never stopped till he
reached the East River. He dared not
look behind, but kept right on, and in
a few seconds more he was at the
Spanish pier, over which was a long,
closed shed with the words painted
over the entrance: 'Campania Trans
atlantic Espanola."
Here everything seemed quiet; there
was no uncommon hustle; the hurry
was apparently over, and there ap-
peared to reign that quiet which usu-
ally precedes an important event. One
solitary cab came swiftly along and
passed in at the gate, near which stood
a police officer. Charley was now
sorry he had not hired a cab, for he
thought he would then have passed in
unqueStioned.
He rushed on, but was stopped by
the officer
''Where are you gOing?"
LET me pass! l am from Mr. Worthy
with a package for Mr.. Cigarette. 1t is
very important. Let me pass"
Where is your pass? 1 do not know
YOU
Charley had no pass, but cleverly
eluded the officer and got through the
gates.
The next minute, Charley saw the
occupant of the cab-a young gentle
man with a traveling-bag-sp spring from
the cab and get on the gangway. That
was the last passenger that got on
board. The vessel, it seems, was
waiting only for him in order to set
sail, or, rather, to put on steam. In
a moment more the gangway was
swung off, and the ship was on the
very point of moving. Charley TIL ought
all was over.
Lifting the package high in the air.
and addressing the officer at the gang
way just closed, he shouted:
Hold on. This is life or dea tn!
Here is a package that must be deliv
eredr'
TOO late-too late, my man. cried
a police officer on the wharf. "The
Spaniard will not wait for the presi-
dentr
But L must deliver this package!
Here, sir, otficer-you, there.' he cried
to the officer at the gangway. "This
is for Mr.. Cigarette is on board
try and catch it for him, will your
cigarette? There he is looking at
you. Just fling it to him yourself!''
Sure enough, there was Mr.. Cigar
ettO, among number of other passen-
gers, near the gangway, looking at the
crowd on shore; and as soon as he saw
. Charley with his package he became
suddenly aware of his loss, or of his
forgotten treasure, and understood at
! once what the whole thing meant. Get
ting up on some boxes on the deck, he
stood out above the others; and
shouted to Charley while the ship was
fast moving out of reach:
That's all right! Throw it to me,
nv man! | can catch it!''
Charley flung the package right into
his aruls.
'Thank YOU my brave fellow, thank
you! / shall not forget you! Good
byer'
The great vessel was now under
way, and Charley stood looking at her
until she was quite out of sight. He
began thinking it a fine thing to be
able 20 go off to sea in such a vessel,
to see foreign countries, and to learn
ours He stood musing here in this
way for some time, until he suddenly
j became conscious that he was forget
ting his employer, who was anXiously
awaiting his return.
! He was glad, however, at having &C
! compliShed his mission: he was re-
! lieved: he felt somewhat proud of