The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-07-25
BobtaiI Car Number 9.
BY JAY.

the city of Chicago, and was a member of
the "Apollo" club, one of the swell affairs
of the city; and it was after one OF the
many swell functions of the club that the
incident that | am about to relate, took
place. l have never told it before but
once; and on that occasion, the story was
received with so many insinuations, i'm
plying that was intoxicated at the time,
that have never repeated it until now.
Even now | would not do so had circum-
stances not shaped themselves differently
to my expectations.
The function of the Apollo Club that l
have already referred to, took place Au-
gust 10, 1894, and was banquet given in
honor of the departure of our president.
He was going on an extended tour to Eu-
rope and as is usual in such cases dinner
was not completed until late and the US
ual small chat and farewels taken:
found that the hands of my watch point
ed to the hours of quarter to two,
Upon leaving the club, I found that not
hack was in sight, and muttering i'm
precation on the race of cabbies, | darted
towards Madison street in the hopes O
finding a late car that would carry me
near my apartments
l was living on the west side of the
town, on Ashland ave. TO those of my
readers who are not familiar with the
city, slight explanation is here necessary
to my story. There runs through the city
OF Chicago, a small canal or river having
two branches. One of these runs north
and south and at the intersections of the
more important streets it is crossed by
means of draw bridges, which swing
open to allow the passage of vessels
Each bridge is of course tended by a
keeper, who works the machinery for open
ing and closing the draw.
When | reached the corner of La Sale
and Madison streets; l glanced up and
down to see if car or cab was in sight.
About three or four blocks from me, and
coming in my direction, was the small
red light of car, and by listening, heard
the tinkle of small bell. This rather
Surprised me, as Chicago has long since
discarded the use of horse power for run
ming her cars, and the bell has been sup
p anted by the noisy gong of the cable, or
ectric car However kept on my way I'M
til had almost reached the river; could
see the Orders and beams of the draw
bridge standing out family in the dark
ness of the night. There was no moon,
and outside of an electric light on the
other side of the bridge the street was in
comparative darkness. The car came
slowly along, and as it drew nearer l
could see that it was one of a type of
twenty years ago, known a the Bob tail"
These cars h ave no rear plat 'orm, as they
did not use conductors, the fares being
put in box t the front end of the car
by the passengers themselves This car
that was coming towards me was drawn
by a sorry looking horse, and l could
plainly make out the features of the driver
Standing on the front platform. l also
saw that only one passenger, man, was
in the car. The car was painted white
with black band around the bottom, and
on the side was large black number, the
figure 8. When the car came opposite to
me, l hailed it, at the same time stepping
out into the street toward the car. Had
l been ten miles away instead of forty
feet, the driver could not have paid less
attention to my hail. He never looked in
my direction, but kept his eyes straight
ahead
Naturally was some what vexed at the
drivers utter disregarded of my hail, and
started forwards with the intention of
taking the car on the run, since it would
AOI btOp' ms uP W VIC
grasped at the handles: at the same time
attempting to place my foot on the step.
Judge of my astonishment when, what
took to be solid iron and wood, seemed
to turn into intangible material and l
was thrown headlong to the granite blocks
of the street.
Somewhat dazed, l scrambled to my
feet with smothered exclamation, at
my aprarant clumslness, and looked to-
waed the car, which was now within ten
feet of the bridge. The next instant l
stopped dead still, my hair rose on end and
my blood seemed to CONCEAL in my veins.
The car came to the edge of the street,
and with heavy lurch toppled over the
bank into the river beneath. There was a
loud shrek followed by splash, and then