Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-01-29

1 Alonzo couldn't understand H.
 "Thanks, mistah," he said, as ne reached out and took a long, black cigar with a blue label. T bettah walt awhile befo' smoke it." "As you please, as you please salo the stranger. And now what IS your name ?'
 "My names AIonzo Bunkah, mistah." "Aionzo Bunker, eh? That's very good name. You should be proud ot It and of your race. am very happy to make your acquaintance. It is proDa- bic that 1 shall be here at the hotel for several days-perhaps week NlI you be here every day.?
 "Yes. sah, I eert'By will.
 That's good I may need your services occasionally and believe that I can trust you. While I am staying here. no one but you must be allowed to come into this room and you are not to % beyond that curtain or attempt to see what is behind it, unless 1 give you permission. Do you understand 7. "Yes. sah. nevah bothahs anyway .' 'If you bother here, it will go hard with you" He gave Alonzo fierce look and the coloredI boy squirmed. "Remember, also, that you are the only one who is to be allowed in this room. ..Yes. sah, mistah, but bout the ehambahmaid? ?'
 T can make my own bed. She keeps out! You see that get something to eat. Open the door and put it inside but if you attempt
 .I won't, mistah, l won't!" and he meant every word of it, for by this time AIonzo was convinced that some kind of q hoodoo was eaged on the other side of the curtain and this long haired man was the keeper.
 For the next three days Mir. Horatio Gillespie kept to his room. His meals were sent up to him. Alonzo would carry the tray into the room, set il down on chair and walk out on tip toe. The chambermaid rapPed at the door once or twice and demanded ad- mission, but she was repulsed SC fercely that she became frightened and decided to stay away altogether until the mysterious stranger left the hotel.
 Alonzo became well acquainted witt Mr Gillespie. Three or four times every day the bell would ring and the boy would go in to receive another quarter or a long cigar.
 Mir. Gillespie did not tell what was behind the screen. but he spoke of hi' work" once or twice and hinted tha- in all probability he would be ricf man some day and would want a gooC colored man to travel with him anC order his meals for him. Alonzo couiC imagine himself riding in Pullman car. Once or twice he suspected tha- MT Gillespie had an object in view while holding out all these glitterine inducements. but he couldn't imagin, what it was.
 On the fourth day he found out. Mir Gillespie rang for him and when h. went in he found the mysterious stran ger very much agffated.
 "Ab, here you are, Mir Bunker" ht said "I am glad to see you.
 It was the "AIr Bunker that haC won Alonzo.
 Yes. sah what can do fo' you2'
 "I have a slight favor to ask. VII you please put on this belt?'
 Sosaying. he produced a stout leather belt with an iron ring fastened at tht back of it.
 What is it fo'2s asked Alonzo, gag ing at it curiously.
 I'll explain later. Put it on
 1Ir Gillespie buekIed the belt around Alouzo and said: Come on. He IifteC the white sheet, and Alonzo caught glimpse of some kind of machine witl wheels and cogs.
 Look beah. mistah-o he began .Its all right" said Mir. Gillespie, pat ting his arm and soothing him. q wan you to tell me what this building i over here"
 Alonzo erawled under the sheet anC followed Alr Gillespie to the window.
 sNhat buildin', boss ?'
 Mir GilIespie's reply was 10 seize tht unsuspecting coIored youth and throw him out of the window!
 AIonzo gave one shriek of mortal ter TOT as he felt himself falling.
 Suddenly he was pulled back with 2 jerk, then he whirled around and around in the air, and a moment later the people in the street far below looked up to see a dark object coming down the side of the hotel building 1t was hanging a the end of q rope It was Alonzo.
 When he landed on the sidewalk bC was blue around the eyes but unhurt
 He sat up and looked around him What's the matter?" asked a hall dozen people at once, all fockinq around him.
 Alonzo could not speak 4 erowo gathered. Suddenly, a tall, long haired man rushed out of the hotel and breaking through the group, said Its all right, ladies and gentlemen all right Mir Bunker has been 5as sisting me in the first public test ot GiIlespie's Proyidential Fire-Escape. would have come down myself, but had to stay up on the fifth floor tc watch the machinery. Mir. Bunker t didn't know that he was going to as