The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-18

THE HORSE TRo1TED DOWN AT 2:035z.
cousin Horace Fielding, who lives in
New Jersey. The place where he lives
doesn't matter. 1t isn't on any map
except that of the real estate agent
who sold him the property.
There are plenty of children at
Cousin Horace's house; indeed, under
ordinary circumstances, one is what L
would call plenty, or even a slight ex-
cess. But at Christmas time, suppos-
ing that fellow isn't tied down to it,
but. on the contrary, can say In his
heart every minute or two: II can get
out of this internal racket any time
want to- lot of children blowing
horns, and beating drums, and fighting
with one another and their parents,
are really agreeable. Cousin Horace
had written that he'd be delighted to
have us come. He's fellow who real
~ enjoys company, even if it isn't
what one would call cheerful. He
wanted US to come week in advance
so as not to miss any of the fun. That
looked like a good suggestion to me,
SO sent Maude out there on the date
agreed upon, and remained In town
myself. Thus she didn't miss anything
out there, and 1 didn't miss anything
in town, for we are too old to miss each
other. l played billiards with the
boys five evenings in succession, and it
didn't cost me cent, for / saved it all
by not giving Maude something which
/ had previously intended TO buy for
her as Christmas present.
1t was necessary, however, to remem-
Der Cousin Hcrace's children. Maude
had done something in that line before
she left the city. She had bought
things for the three girls, but had left
the boys present to me. / don't know
what boy wants. Probably the boys
in these days are very different from
those who formed 1.-THE crowd in the
old times and are now scattered all the
way from Fifth avenue to the poor
house. Still, it seemed well to recall my
own desires as the easiest way to ar
rive at conclusion regarding those of
Horace Jr. For long time | couldn't
think of anything l wanted in those
days, except a chance to kill the school
teacher.
FINALLY I remembered that used to
want rocking-horse. Perhaps that
antedated the other desire referred to,
but our recollections of childhood are
seldom accurate in the matter OF dates
or ages. Moreover, I remember that l
Hrft hn
own sake, but rather because another
boy had it, and / hated that boy. 1t
was all that could think OF as gift,
and that probably determined my
choice. 1 was rendered somewhat
doubtful a bout it by my inability to re-
member whether Horace Jr. was the
youngest or the oldest of the children.
II was one way or the other, as in the
old case OF the egg and the brine, but
couldn't remember which. However, L
bought the rockinghorse. l did it on
Thursday.
Send it out TO Piney Point" said 7
TO the saieswoman in the toy depart
ment of a big dry goods store. The
place is called Piney Point. by the way.
I'VE will send it there If we can" re-
sponded the girl, ''S'lt we cannot guar
antee delivery on time. 1t may not
reach there till after New Years day.
The express companies are very busy
at this time OF year"
/ said-well, never mind what said,
so long as the saleswoman didn't hear
it. Then | tucked the rocking horse
under my arm and tried to get out OF
the store, and out of town without be-
ing seen by anybody who knew me.
/ seemed to me that | saw many IA
miliar faces in the throng that pushed
and jostled about the store On
rough estimate I would have said
that there were two or three hundred
ladies of my acquaintance in that
store, and that they were all looking
at me. Subsequent investigation has
shown me that there was but one.
and that she didn't see me until | at
tempted 70 elude her observation
That was just what did.
l lodged away in the direction of
side door used BIZ the delivery depart
ment and opening into an alley was
Just sneahI1g oul, cungrsIulsi ing ~
self meanwhile on having escaped tie
crowd on Twenty-third street. when .
heavy hand was laid upon my shoulder
and stern voice inquired what had
In that bundle. II was Sherlock
Holmes in disguise, employed by the
proprietor OF the store as private
detective az fifteen dollars a week.
His researches in the field of dedrctive
reasoning had led him 10 the couvic-
ton that when suspicious-lookiny
person glides softly out Of the back
door with large bundle which he