The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-01-02
A Puzzled NOVELIST.

He was Used 10 Detectives but This Doe
ton Csbmsn Amazed Hun.
Tho express from the west was
Just in, and q traveller stepped out OF
the side door Of the Albany station
into the outstretched arms OF II
Boston cabmen and hack drivers.
The traveller, o stoutly built man,
between 80 and 10, with q good hu-
mored face in q solid, dark mustache.
selected ono whom be detected in
partially putting away into the side
pocket Of his overooat . dog cared
copy Of Carlyle's French Revolu-
Non." The oabman touched his hat
In modest appreciation Of the favor
shown BY his new fare, and after
bundling q Large valise upon the
dashboard opened the door and stood
waiting with q keen twinkle Of az.
peotancy.
"You may take me to Young's or
or Parker's perhaps" said tho
traveller, With distinct English &C.
cent and decided interrogative In.
fleot1on In his voice.
Pardon 1ae," was the immediate
answer, "but think you'll find Ma
jor Pond waiting for you at Par
ke9'a."
The travellers Jaw quivered for
moment but only for q moment.
After darting q sharp glance at the
cabman he bowed, as If obeying or
ders, and entered the vehicle
Tho ride was . noisy one, but
bries. Rattle. rattle bump batter,
bumpl The fare glancing through
the glass In tho front OF the carriage
found his man sitting as erect a. the
2lo week man Of Lady Churchill.
As the cab rolled into School street
the traveller sank into the corner Of
the cushioned seat In the attitude Of
deepest meditation.
A moment moro seemingly, and
the door opened The stoutly built
passenger felt in bis pocket for
change.
IT II Is not too great an intrusion,
sir, I should greatly prefer a ticket
TO your lecture. II you have none
Of the printed ones with you, your
agent would doubtless honor one of
your visiting cards If penciled by
yourself.
The passenger showed signs Of
strong inward emotion.
Come, come, / am not aocustom-
ed to be beaten at my own tricks"
said he almost grufay. TELL NO
how you have ascertained this and
you shall have tickets for your whole
family and such cigars as you smoke
here in America besides" breaking
at the end into q smile.
"Of course We oil knew that you
were coming on this train-that iA
all of the members of our Cabmen' g |
Literary guild" was the half apollo.
getio reply. "As it happenA am
the only member on duty at this
station this morning, and had that
advantage. If you will excuse other
personal remarks, your coat lapels
are badly twisted downward whero
they have been graspod by tho per-
tinacious New York reporters. Your
hair has the Quakerish cut of q Phil
adelphia barber. and your hat bat
tered at the brim in front, shows
where you have tightly grasped it
in the struggle to stand your ground
At . Chicago literary luncheon.
Your right overshoe has q large
block Of Buffalo mud just under tho
instep the odor of Utica cigar
hangs about your clothing. and the
itself shows the slovenly
brushing of the porters ON tho
through sleepers from Albany. Tho
crumbs Of doughnut ON the top of
your bag-pazdon me- your luggage
could only have come there In
Springfield, and stenoiled upon the
very end Of the Wellington in fair
!. plain lettering Is the name Conan
Doyle"
Nov I know where Sherlock
Holmes went when he died." said
his great writer of detective stories
sfter the cabman had finished his
third glass of brandy neat. THAT
caves me free to write any moro ad-
ventures of his that I wish, except
hat I must locate them in Boston.
Boston Record
A TtokioE Tombstone.
There Is q tradition that o tomb.
'tone In the graveyard of an old and
incorporating little church In
1oudon, Pa, gives forth q ticking
'ound, and It has long been locally
amous Is the ticking tombstone.
The noise is not loud enough for the
tone 10 b located by stranger,
md II the ticking Is really ever
leard it comes doubtless from the