San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-09-08

Jane" she cried, do you know
where the Athletic club is? Do you
know where Center street ISL"
Jane knew neither club nor locality.
II want a message taken there to
Dick, and it must go quickly. Don't
you think you could run there
''It would be quicker to telegraph,
ma am" said Jane, who was not anx-
ious to run anywhere There's tele-
graph paper III Mr. Richards room, and
the Office is just round the corner"
That's it, Jane. I'm glad you
thought of it. Get me telegraph form.
Do make haste.
She wrote with trembling hand as
plainly as she could. SO that her son
might have no difficulty in reading:
Richard Saunders. Athletic Club, Center
Your father is coming to see you. He will
be at the club before half an hour.
"There is no need to sign it; he will
know his mothers writing" said Mrs.
Saunders as she handed the message and
the money to Jane, ana Jane made no
comment, for she knew as little of tele-
graphing as did her mistress. Then the
old woman, having done her best, prayed
that the telegram might arrive before
her husband, and her prayer was an
swered, for electricity is more speedy
than an old mans legs.
Meanwhile Mr.. Saunders strobe along
from the suburb to the city. His stout
stick struck the stone pavement with a
sharp click that sounded in the still,
frosty night air almost like pistol shot.
He would show both his wife and his
son that he was not too old to be mas
ter in his own house He talked angrily
to himself as he went along and was
wroth to find his anger lessening as he
neared his destination. Anger must be
very Just to hold its own during brisk
walk in evening air that is cool and
| sweet.
Mr.. Saunders was somewhat abashed
to find the club building much more
imposing edifice than he had expected.
There was no low, groggy appearance
about the True Blue Athletic edifice. IL
was brilliantly lit from basement to at
tic. a group of men, with hands in
pockets. stood on the curb as If waiting
for something. There was an air of &C.
casion about the place. The old man in
quired of one of the loafers if that was
the Athletic club.
Eyes, il is" was the answer. Are
you going in?"
~ intend to-.
Are you a member"
"No"
"Got an invitation"
| "No"
"Then | suspect you won't go in.
We've tried every dodge ourselves.
The possibility of not getting in had
never occurred to the old gentleman,
and the thought that his son, safe with
in the sacred precincts of club. might
defy him logged his tagging anger
and aroused his logged determination.
| "I'll try, at least, he said, going up
the stone steps.
The men watched him with smile
on their lips. They saw him push the
electric button, whereupon the door
opened slightly. There was brief, I'M
heard parley then the door swung wide
open, and when Mr.. Saunders entered
it shut again.
"Well, I'm blessedi" said the man
on the curb. 81 wonder how the old
duffer worked it. l wish l had asked
him" None of the rest made any COM
ment They were struck dumb with
amazement at the success of the old
gentleman who had even to ask if that
were the club.
When the porter opened the door, he
repeated one of the questions asked a
moment before by the man ON the curb.
"Have you an invitation, sir?"
NO" answered the old man, deftly
placing his stick so that the barely
opened door could not be closed until it
was withdrawn. mo. ! want to see
my son, Richard Saunders. Is he in
slider"
The porter instantly threw open the
door.
"Yes, sir, - be said. "They re expect
ing you, sir Kindly come this way,
| sir. f"
The old man followed, wondering at
the cordiality of his reception. There
must be some mistake. Expecting him?
How could that be? He was led into
most sumptuous parlor where cluster
of electric lamps in the ceiling threw
soft radiance around the room.
"Be seated, sir. l shall tell Mr..
Hammond that you are here. +"
"But-stop moment-I don't want
to see Mr. Hammond. l have nothing
to do with Mr.. Hammond. | want to
see my son. Is it Mr.. Hammond the