Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-14

tors s room, and turned to meet another
customer who had just entered-a
fashionably attired young man.
''Can you let me have about five
hours for tonight?" inquired the new
conner, in languid tone. II have two
engagements, both for tonight, which
cannot possibly MISS"
"Five hours? Certainly" said the
clerk.
The ianguid one departed with his
five hours, and another customer en-
tered. This one was going for holi-
day, and wished to lengthen it by let
ting two or three hours into each day.
Then there came scholar, pale from
much study, but yet intent on buying
more time in which to continue his
work; then several business men; then
an astronomer-a great sight was to
be seen that night IN the heavens, and
he was determined it should be seen
by him, not once, but many times.
Andrew Hunters brain began to
reel. All the world seemed to lie buy
ing or selling time, and he, busy man
as he was, sat there idle. Suddenly
familiar face appeared.
1t was no other than Harry Preston.
He also had come to buy time; but, un-
like most of the other customers, he
vouchsafed no reason for his purchase.
Was it for extra time for making love
to Rose? wondered Andrew Hunter.
Or was it, perhaps, for time in which to
work that he might win her? As
Andrew looked at him he felt sorry
for his stern opposition to his suit.
Harry bought a good quantity OF
time and departed. He looked rather
pale, Andrew thought, and he re-
marked the same about the other buy
ers of time. After all, was it good
thing, this time transference? Andrew
began to doubt it.
Just then messenger entered bear
ing telegram. Ashmore opened it,
and, turning to Andrew Hunter, said:
''Two of the South American states
are on the point of war, and I have
just received wire from an agent of
the Syndicate there stating that one
of them wants to purchase large
quantity of time in which to get its ar
HaiHeutS up 10 uite.
Surely they will want an enormous
amount?" answered Andrew.
''That is true. They are, no doubt, an
plying to every large time company in
the world, and prices will go up at once.
The state that proposes TO make this
large purchase is, l am afraid in a sad
way. For years past the inhabitants
al 1,nt
stead OF devoting the money to useful
purposes, they have simply lived upon
it, so that not only have their defences
become out of date, but their COM
merce has decreased greatly"
''That is shocking state of affairs,
said Andrew. "But what about their
opponents?"
''They, on the other hand, have been
bnsily employed for years past in de-
veloping their resources. They are
fully prepared for emergencies.
''In that case,' said Andrew,
'there will be little doubt as to the
result The country yol first mentioned
will go the WALL"
81 think SO, too," returned Ash
more. "But what is that noise?"
Andrew Hunter listened. 1t was a
/ dull, distant roar, like that OF an ap-
preaching multitude. 1t was coming
nearer. Suddenly man burst into
the room, hatless, hot and breathless.
He was an employe of the syndicate.
"Quick!" he shoated, "barricade the
door'
Andrew turned to the man who
had just entered.
SIS it riot?" he asked.
The man looked at him in amaze.
ment.
"Don't you know that nee time.
transfe.ence has been intro lnced here
all the small employers of labor find
it cheaper to buy time and do more
work themselves than employ others?
Thousands Of people have been thrown
out of work all over the country, and
this is the result"
''Bnt why don't they sell part OF
their time and live on the proceeds?"
They won't. They say they want
their whole lives, and not part hedged
in by living death. :"
ne uOlse lIcTeaScu. IL grew nearer,
nearer. Now the rioters had entered
the street; now the foremost of them
were at the door; now they were ham
mering upon it. Shouts and ye!ls re-
sounded.
Andrew went to the window and
looked down upon the seething mass.
The stones fell all around him; they
struck him; but there he stood, rooted
to the spot, his eyes fixed, as by some
strange fascination, OH the scene be-
low, and as he looked, he saw there,
down among the wild, bowling mob,
urging and leading them on, his some
time manager and protege Morgan.
He was reused. He was filled with
anger at the sight of him. Seizing a
great stone, he flung it at Morgan
with a great shout of rage, and
awoke.
1t was dream. The gray light Of
morning was stealing through the
window; the fire was out. and Andrew