The Newtown bee., 1900-05-11
think of the problem !

think of the problem! "Thanks,'' he said, as he climbed in. "Do you think it'll hold usP'' referring to the wabbling vehicle. "Wall, now, I reckon so. I've had three times yer weight of corn in here afore now, and I guess it'll carry us yon- der," pointing up the long, dusty road. "Say, where'd yer come from?"
 "St Louis," replied John.
 "Great place, thet. I was onct down thar, but yer don't catch me goin' thar again."
 "Whyp"
 Wall, it near set me crazy, all thet noise and steamboat whistles down thar. l rather like the farm, it's more peaceful like, yer see."
 "Are there any hotels in Bloomfield?" queried John.
 ''No hot'ls, but there's Mrs Darling toms inn, as she calls it. though to my notions it's 8 boardin'.house clean through"
 "Good, I'll go there," said John. "I'm hungry as blazes, and that cursed eccen- tric getting out of order has completely upset all nay plans." ''Too bad too bad! Shall take yer to the postofice first fur the tellygram?" "Yes, certainly. There first" Then, after moment, he exclaimed impatient ly, "Whip upl whip up little faster, will you, Mr-Mr-" ''Dobbins," interiecked the old man, as he began hammering away on Ike's time cured hide in vain endeavor to make him realize the importance of ''telly- gram"
 l After few more bumps they entered the sleepy old village, and proceeded down it's main thoroughfare until with 8 "whoa !" Mir Dobbins checked his pant ing steed in front of the postoffice, where the ever omnipresent Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express sign creaked and swung, and two lonesome wires wandered away across the open country. Halliday sprang out and rushed in. AS he enter. ed he was almost knocked insensible by the odor of stale cheese, for not only was this imposing business block the postt flee, but the leading grocery em- porium as we'll. He was confronted by a cross-eyed, red-hsired clerk, postmaster and operator all in one, who eyed him quizzically.
 "Want to send message to Chicago. Quick!'' and picking up blank, John commenced: "Dear Ethel-serious acci- dent-.he eccentric broke and-''
 Hold 1" yelled the trinity of pro- fessions. Hold on! Can't send it. Wire down. Man gone to fix 1t. Ten miles across country"
 "When'll he have it fixed?"
 A look at the clock; "121 15 now-not before 4, sure."
 "Good Heavens, man, I'm lost! Do you hear? Do you believe in Fate?" and Halliday eyed the operator 30 sav- agely that the latter began to have sus- picions regarding the sanity of the new I arrival.
 Mol" he replied; "electricity, when the wire is all right. Whats the matter dawn at the cross roads?" "The eggcsntric brokeI' put in old Dobbins, who had been silently inspect the scene.
 "Damn the eccentric and the wires too,' cried John. s'I'll sue the whole sys- tenn for danagesl"
 'sGuess you had better go down to the inn, and have drink of the widows cl. der," said Dobbins.
 "Where Is it?" asked John, smiling none too pleasantly at the old mans hu- nor.
 "Down thar where you see the wealth erccck pinting for rain, and thet white sign over the door. But, say, yer ain't paid me yet, young feller."
 "That's so.'' laughed Halliday, hand ing him dollar.
 I Wall, now, yer be generous" Dob- bins yelled after him, as he strode out, rather warm, discomforted and ont of sorts. However, he felt better in escap. ] ing from the uncertain gaze oz the crosg- 1 eyed operator, and the odor Of old cheese hanging around the store. He walked on rather slowly. A s1mmer shower was coming up, and the coolness of the damp air was delightful to him. He re- moved his hat, and pushed his hair back with the air of man resigned to bear \ the worst.
 .'Confound the luck-it's just my luck I No way to get word to Ethel in time. I and she what would she dos'' A vision of a wrathfui woman deckad out in or