The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-09-25
BET ON FIRE ENGINES.
Ahese Actors Had Lots of Sport and
blocked broadway Besides.

dismally, and the Rialto was shrouded
III gloom and dampness, but to the &C.
tors it was full of sunshine and ready
money and new fall engagements, and
as they strolled leisurely and with long,
solemn strides down the thoroughfare il
was evident that the ghost had walked
recently.
just as they reached Sixteenth street
TAT policeman pulled hurriedly up
from the middle of the block, and,
twisting open the door of the little red
box ON the lamppost, pulled the hook
inside and turned in an alarm of fire.
The two players stopped and watched
the operation with placid interest. Sud
denly the actor with the gray streaks
Ill his hair jerked his watch from his
waistcoat pocket.
III bet you the first engine does or
does not reach this crossing within four
minutes. Which is it? Does it or doesn {
1T? Quick! Take your choice. -
Anything in the way of a fire ma
chlne?' demanded the actor with the
reddish locks.
Anything from chiefs wagon to
water tower Which is it?''
at does. F"
For $40 it Doesn't"
cts go. "
Both strollers reached down in their
pockets, each pulled forth a $40 bill
and handed it to the open mouthed cop
per- "You hold the stakes, 4" command
ed the senior bettor land also get your
watch out. One minute is gone already, {"
he announced. Officer, if no fire en-.
CINE passes this crossing here in three
minutes, you give me the $40 If one
does, the money goes to my friend"
Two actors and one fat policeman
standing with watches in hand before
an open firebox do not take all day to
draw crowd in Broadway Before the
second hands had passed half round the
dials two messenger boys, one street
cleaner and dozen ordinary pedestri-
ans had joined the group
Whats the trouble?" inquired one
OF those anxious faced men in spectacles
who are always on the spot when there
is calamity brewing. What's the mat
ter here?''
Deere seeing how long de cop can
hold his breath, explained one of the
messenger boys.
He's stringin yer" corrected his
freckle faced confrere "Dey's seein how
long is wife wings can keep from
work -
Zone minute and half" announced
the senior bettor. You've got just 90
seconds left. /"
De cops good fer a week., ;" declared
the first ~ d. T., and in his excitement
the copper forgot to swing his club at
him. Another quarter of minute tick
ed itself away and the crowd had swol-
len until 1t encompassed all sides of the
firebox and ran over into the street.
They have got to sprint or you lose, "
said the policeman.
It's century run, announced the
man with the pipestem legs Il remem-
Der reading about it. They finish right
here on this corner ~
Thirty seconds left" cried the first
actor
Here they comet" yelled his friend.
And far across the square could be
heard the clang Of fire engine and the
feverish jingling of battalion chiefs
cart.
ITS boss race now," chuckled the
fat policeman. "You've just IA seconds
fh.. 20,
The crowd, without knowing why
any more than any crowds do, had
caught the excitement of the two actors
and half the men had watches in their |
hands and were swapping their fingers
wildly.
Here dey comet screamed the free
xle faced messenger, and out of the mist |
plunged three gray horses, their bodies
'ar extended and jumping toward the |
,rossing for every ounce that was in |
hem, the huge steam fire engine rock |
ng and Keeling behind them. AS if con-
spring against the man who had dared
% bet against the department, the
hief's cart rounded into the square
rom Fourth avenue, and, joining the
zig suffering and screeching steam
hariot, raced neck and neck through
he broad street.
Come on, nowl Come onl Fit 'em
lpi I've got you'll yelled the redhaired
layer.
Just two seconds more" said the
enior bettor.
Here they are! You wini" And the
at policeman, forgetting that he was
ne Of the finest, waved his club hys-
erically as the hoofs of the chiefs
rown horse clattered over the imagi-
airy line just 8 minutes and 80 seconds
fter the bet had been made.
"Give the money to my friend" said
he actor with the gray locks. "We
I'LL go over now and interview the
rink juggler across the square. New
'ork Press.
Houasf gwodou