The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-18

wards the noon hour. II II hardly necss-
sary 10 say they were tnefe anuclpat1n4
sss Roanonss return some l ma :,.,s q
the report that the great treasure snip
passed Carmanah point Sunday evening
at 20 o'clock. and this Wild rumor, mag
nifsed 70 the teffnstsness Of an assertion.
was sent over the wires 20 Seattle. No
choice morsei OF scandal ever Travelled
faster than did the report after Il once
gained street circulation. II carried . mot
ley crowd 70 the water front. with. the
broad and expansive Schwzbzeher dock -
the hit3eafer OF the treasure ship
welcomers There we're many leading Ia
dies. each Paying the star part Of the
klondike widow.
II was a great crowd. AMI OF many
unique figures. People began 10 assemble
o'clock. for many there were ready TO be-
iieve the Roanoke could run from Car
nanah In ten or eleven hours, ana the bag
liner could easily do 50.
The "rnere-ske-coxnes,+s man was the
most numerous Individual on the trent
But the ..No-lt-ain't" fellow ran him
close second as TO number
Every time a vessel, no matter OF what
size or description, rounded MagnoiiA
Blun point, a speculative dialogue some
thing Ike the following ensued;
There she comesi
mo. that ain: her"
The Roanoke has green smokestsck."
mo she hasn't; she has yellow smoke
stack and a black hull
THAT looks too large for the Roanoke"
What are you people taking about?"
marine Solomon Interrupts That thing
II a wood burner.
What's wood-burnery"
why don't you know what a WOOD
burner r., IT'S a steam vessel that burns
wood rather than coal Her smoke IS
black. rather than white. as that little
side hee. tub you have mistaken for the
Roanoke"
Mister. what's a side wheeler a de-
mure little woman who had 5ourneyed
from the bunchgrass section 10 Seattle to
meet her returning klondike husband.
asks.
she is told the difference between q stern
and a side wheel craft. and initiated into
the mysteries OF twsn-screw propeller
and such nautical ninutiae.
Meanwhile the telephones have been at
work, particularly those Of the Post-Intes-
ligencer Western Union. Postal Telegraph,
Schwabacher and Arlington docks. The
average inquirer usually asked these Ques-
tons In rapid succession
Have you heard anything OF the Roam
oker'
"whers was she sighted"
when do you think she will get fn?'
How long does 1t take to run from Cape
Fgattery To Scatter
Elm what time can she come from Town
send?"
DO you really think it's sheY'
'oh. I'm so anxious. I'm really afraid IL
amt the Roanoke"
do you think 1t fs?''
4
Say, would IL be too much trouble for
you TO ring me up and let me know when
she is sighted?'
Presumably a promise is made and the
telephone interview continues:
well, that's very kind OF YOU"
Now. don't forget"
II won't
Il know you won't: that's 30 nice Of
you
well. good bye
"Ah. just one word more-you think she
will get In about 4:3o. do your"
Yes"
Well. good bye" and up went the
phone.
The acknowledgement telephone rang
again. The oaace boy took down the trum-
pet. 1t was a womans voice.
mo, madam, began the intelligent
youth. I'VE haven't heard anything from
the Roanoke"
s one Of shs to to The
Roanoke?" she asked the weary reporter.
"He may be, madam. What Is his
| manner"
Don't you know
The reporter was compelled to admit his
ignorance. Tell me his name and / may
| be able to answer your question"
| Then. came a pause. ar.
s~'wht. haven't you the passenee< IL
| You always do publish them"
Not until after the steamer arrives.
| madam
| Another pause
| Well" she began slowly. II guess I'd
| in HIS last letter not to mention the fact
thar he was coming down; but. oh. I'm so
anxious"
Then she sighed. and. quite unconscious
that she had made an unusual request. she
hung up the telephone.