The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-07-08
Swinser's Discovery.

CWINGER went forth in the evening
destination in mind. There were sum-
mer gardens to the north, with bands
playing under the trees. The season
had just begun, and Swinger told him.
self that he would not visit garden
until there came warmer evening.
He walked until he came to the State
street bridge, and then he looked along
State street south from the rivera
broad and straight thoroughfare,
twinkling with electric lights. The
whole way ahead of him was in a soft
glare from the myriad lights which
clustered in the show windows or were
studded against the buildings.
Through this glare the cars were creep
ing, forward and back and across. The
sidewalks, even at this hour, swarmed
with the uneasy multitude.
Far above him the roof garden
showed as an angular constellation of
stars. Swinger looked up and could
see the tiny figures of men and women
along the railing. The roof garden pro-
vided entertainment to his liking some
times, bat ON this evening he fel. that
vaudeville show would be tiresome
mockery.
Presently he came to a corner from
which trolley car was about to start.
There were several inviting seats, and
the car would take him far out in
ogden avenue, to the half-rural suburb
OF Lawndale. 1t occurred to him that
Lawndale would have no charms for
him, so he did not take the car.
He found that he had turned from
State street and was going toward Wa
bash avenue. A cable train bound for
Cottage Grove avenue met him at the
corner and he climbed aboard. Since
he was out merely to kiii time and get
the fresh air why not South side ear?
The South side was one of the great
divisions of the city, and well deserv-
ing of an occasional visit. He lounged
back in his seat and the fresh breeze
cooled and chilled him until he had to
button his coat.
Clickety -clack, clickety-clack, went
The rafting wheels, and Swinger. with
MS eyes half closed and his imagination
Keeping time with the swift beat on
the rails, did not know when the car
passed Twelfth street or when it
pumped across the rails at Sixteenth
street or swung in bold whip-cracker
fashion around the corner at Twenty
second street. He was having long
ana confidential talk with the paragon
Oh young women when the conductor
touched him on the shoulder and
asked: 'Transfer?''
Why not a transfer, since it cost moth
ing, and Swinger was out for an IN
uehnite ride? He named a cross street
aiong which, to his positive knowledge,
there was an electric line. A few mo-
ments later he jumped off at the corner
and waited for an electric car.
lie might have alighted at some other
corner. 1t was by mere accident that
lie chose the particular line which
would take him within three blocks
Oh the Hadley house. AS the car APP
preached the street Swinger began to
ask himself if ii would not be advisable,
ihasmuch as he chanced TO be in that
heighborhood, to walk down to the
mouse and meet Jim Hadley. Besides,
ne had a standing invitation to call at
.he house. and although this would not
oe "cail,' still he felt that he would
oe welcome if he should drop in, and
aithough he was not positive he would
see her he decided that if she happened
20 De at home he might possibly ex-
pam why he had sent the flowers that
morning, providing he had not made
suifcient explanation in the note which
followed the flowers.
NOW, as we all remember. Swinger
-~o not the slightest intention Of going