The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-13
CHAPTER 1.

I remember as II it happened but
yesterday the queer feeling which
came over me when read the forego-
ing cable. It had been an unusually
warm day for March, and I was trying
to keep cool in the lounging-room OF
the European club, on the river bank,
q short distance from the city. My
business in Manila was practically fin
ished, and was anticipating few
days of recreation before the Hong
Kong steamer left, upon the following
Tuesday, when the message was hand
ed me by one Of the native boys en-
ployed by the club.
It was such thorough surprise that
for several moments did not realize
the position in which it placed me.
had been the eastern representative of
Lantine & Company for over twoyears,
and, although my savings had disap-
peared through series of ill-advised
investments, my position seemed such
secure one that money matters sell
dom troubled me. Now, however,
after drawing from the Manila bank
ing and shipping house the amount
mentioned in the dispatch, my entire
capital consisted of something less
than three hundred dollars, and had
no idea which way to look for employ
ment.
Two of the leading Manila merchants
happened to be in the club at the time,
and, after canceling the purchases I
had made from them on behalf of my
house, I cabled to Hong-Kong and
Shanghai in the hope of heading off
shipments ordered there during the
previous month. Then, d. wing to my
hotel in Binondo-the Oriente-I set
tied matters as far as lay in my power,
and was ready for dinner before eight
o'clock.
The Oriente, icing new and, pro-
gressive, sets one of the best tables in
the east, and, as experience with orien-
tai life brings the conviction that
neither hurry nor worry is con-
ducive to good health, took my time
over the meal. Then, lighting che
root, I walked down the Escolta as
far as the Puente d'Espana, which con-
meets Binondo with the old walled cit
adel Of Manila. and, leaning against
the hand-rail under solitary electric
light, watched the canoes and bancos
on the Pasig while tried to do alittle
figuring as to my immediate prospects.
Three hundred dollars would land me
In New York by careful management,
but there was no certainty of employ
ment when reached there, and the
other foreign houses were so well rep
resented between Yokohama and
Singapore that an immediate opening
in the east seemed unlikely.
At first could think of nothing but
my uncomfortable predicament. Blu,
after awhile the influence of gooe
dinner and the soothing qualities O.
the climate began to make Themselves
felt. found myself watching tn,
motley crowd of all nationalitie
which passed and repassed across tn,
bridge, the crowds Of laughing Mestiz,
and visaya girls strolling along
through the Paseo to hear the militar,
band at Luneta, groups of Chiname1
sauntering about after the days busi
ness, and Spanish officers driving il
carromatas with the ladies Of thei
families. Down the river were rows o
email coasting steamers and brigi
II by electric lights on the quays; be
yond them, red spark from the light
house upon the northern mole. an
scattered lights from larger vessel
which lay at anchor two or three mile
out in the bay.
While watching these, noticed
government launch coming up tn
river. The landing steps of the qua
were but few Faces below the bridge
and could easily see the faces of tw
men as they stepped ashore from bel
They were both strange to me. bu
there was something about the wal
of one which seemed familiar. I prs
sumo my own face must have been di'
tlnct, as leaned over the rail, for tn
man glanced searchingly at me as b
climbed to the street level. At first
turned and walked away severalstep
evidently under the impression that b
had made mistake, then came bacl
as if to Cross the bridge in front Of M
We looked each other in the eye for
second; then he stopped, and said:
"If you're not Harry Stevens, of Ne
York, I've made the biggest mistake {
my life"
Igrasped the outstretchedhanda an
began to see something familiar b
hind the brown beard.
eyes, I'm Harry Stevens, but-hol
on minute. Weren't you with IL
Oceanic Steamship company. sever;
years ago? By Jove! 1t can't be Die
Halstead? What? Well, I'm blessed
Where on earth did you drop from
You have changed, and no mistake"
"Possibly. Tut you haven't, o
chap: I'd know you anywhere. sa
look here, we've got heap to TIA
about; come up to The club. No, new
mind the carromata; it's cooler on IL
river. Well go up in the launch"
"But-how the deuce? thougl
she belonged to the government"
"That's RIGHT. So 20 /, for the pre-
emf" we had tasa our seats in u