Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-10-06
A man Of ugsteTg.
Bv Dan O'Connell.

One moist and windy morning in
January, when passing a frame build
ing on Ellis street, where large
force of carpenters were at work
swinging on giddy scaffolds many feet
from the ground, | observed tall
and unusually thin man seated on
pile of lumber. watching with the ut
most intentness the workmen. With
the instinct of the newspaper reporter,
ever seeking information, | asked him
to whom the building belonged and
what it was intended for, believing
that he was the architect, Or possibly
the contractor.
II do not know, sir. I am stranger
in the city" he replied, in a voice of
singular harshness.
II beg your pardon, thought yon
might be the architect" l said; you
seem to take an interest in the work
''NOt in the work, but in the work
men," he rejoined, with grin, which
made his small, mean face, with it's
little red eyes absolutely diabolical.
Then possibly you are yourself a
carpenter l continues; "a fine trade
the carpenter and mason are, to my
mind. the noblest orders of mechan-
les; they are the creators, or rather
the instruments that carry out the in
SEPARATION of the architect
They do not interest me in that
way" said the stranger, shutting off
the lumber pile and moving off, pal
pable hint that he required no more
of my conversation.
This incident left no impression on
my memory, for, although / frequent
ly passed the new building on my way
to my office. saw no more of the red
eyed man.
One fine Sunday, attracted by the
announcement of a balloon ascension
at Bakers Beach, | strolled out to
that picturesque curve in the harbor's
entrance AS the aeronaut took hold
of the parachute and gave the word to
let go, I saw the stranger. The ex-
preston on his face was one of in
teuse, and, l might say, malignant
concentration His eyes were fixed
on the bespangled figure of the athlete
With ferocity which not alone aston
ished me, but gave me such decld-
eddy uncomfortable feeling, that
involuntarily stepped from beside him.
II am all right, and away we go!'
cried the aeronaut, and the crowd
cheered as the graceful sphere sailed
skyward Under and over the bar the
aeronaut tumbled. now holding on
with one arm, now clinging with his
toes. still leaving the dull earth far
Their behind him every moment
by Heavens. he'll get down safely.
He's not nervous, unless-unless the
parachute should collapse. Then Well
be all right, and there won't be a
whole bone in his body
This peculiar speech was uttered by
the mysterious stranger who, in tn"
forward movement of the crowd, was
again at my chow. Determined to
discover the source of this ordinary
display of nlalignity, l said
1T seems. sir, you do not feel well
disposed toward our friend who is now
tumhling in mid-air. Is he an enemy
Of yours or rival professionals
He is neither. 1 come here, as
every one else. yourself included,
young man, hoping that he will fall. |
am candid enough to say SO, and
presume you are hypocrite enough to
declare that you hope he will descend
IN safety
Il certainly do hope so, with all my
heart" l replied warmly; why, no
one but tend incarnate would wish
that yonder daring fellow might come
10 grief"
The stranger smiled, but the smile
was sardonic enough to come under
the head of u grimace.
Il have met you before" he said;
"one morning on Ellis street. l re-
member your face now. Come, l feel
rather companonable this evening.
Dine with me. l am almost perfect
stranger in this city. and you will be
doing . lonesome man a favor II you
accept my invitation"
l consented. overcoming the repug-
nance l felt for the sake of knowing
more about this person. who was evi-
IDENTITY man of mystery. He named
an address on Pine street. the hour
seVeh> and lifting his hat, With an
agreeable, ALMOST amiable air.of which
could not believe his hard, grim fea-
luFes capable, we parted until that
hour.
While dressing for dinner | was full
Of conjecture about my strange ac-
Quaintance. His name he had not Civ
en- me, nor had he mentioned whether
lie was a married man or bachelor.
rs he had not appointed restaurant
for our dining plnee, 1 concluded that
No. - Pine street must be lenarts-