The Opelousas courier., 1900-08-25

"Huh! Something strange here"
Mr.. Hampton replaced the defective
cylinderS-gas, r~ather-but, to his sur
prise, Mfr. Whltcomb made his appear
ance the next morning, and informed
Mr.. Hampton that these last cylinders
contained no more gas than did the
others.
This resulted In an examination Of
the cylinders remaining in the cellar.
Not one of them contained enough gas
to charge over two OR three fountains!
Mr.. Whitcomb ordered some cylin-
ders from the Jones Brothers Com
pany, and as they proved satisfactory
he continued to deal with them.
The next day complaints came pour
Ing in from all sections, MFR. Hampton
agreeing to make all damages good.
He telegraphed to the gas manufact-
urer to send on his agent; and he or.
dered another car Of cylinders to be
sent at one and another load to fol.
low the next day. In the meantime
the Joneses were supplying the de-
mand.
The gas company's agent arrived on
the scene. The affair puzzled him; he
had never heard of such n thing be-
fore, but here was the undeniable
! proof.
When the new carload arrived, the
agent, Mr.. Blackstone. took one of the
cylinders, and opening the valve, al
lowed nil the gas to escape. This cyl
indcr was satisfactory. All the old
ones were removed from the cellar
and the new lot stored away.
The next day an uptown CONNECTION
CIR ordered ten cylinders to be deliv-
cred to him at once. Two hours later
he telephoned to Mfr. Hampton to
come for them; that they were not
fully charged.
Did any person have these before
I got themT" he asked over Tie phone.
Another examination of the cylin-
ders in the cellar followed; they were
all nearly empty.
Mr.. Blackstone shook his head doubt
fully, and Oscar Hampton jerked at
the ends Of his mustache; and again
the Joneses supplied the demand.
What do you make of itg' asked
Hampton.
Il do not know. But one thing Is
certain: those cylinders left our place
in good condition."
They arrived here In good order
as well as these last ones, for it is
not likely that we picked the only
good one In the lot"
"Well, what are you going to do?'
That Is more than / am prepared
to say; but meet me here after sup
per, and we viii see what we can
make of it, MFR. Hampton. / trust that
the cylinders the men are now unload
ing win not fool us In the morning"
AS agreed, the two men met at the
Office of the Hampton storage rooms
at eight o'clock. Neither was any the
wiser at eleven, at which time Mr.. !
Blackstone suggested adjournment for
the night.
Just as Oscar Hampton placed his
hand on the knob to open the back
door, a sound like that of escaping
steam greeted his al He motioned
his companion to be silent.
Hiss! Hiss" Now a dozen different
sounds flied the air.
Hush! Walk carefully and we will
60 to the elevator shaft" whispered
Hampton.
The two men tiptoed to the place
mentioned, but here they were unable
to see anything. The sound, however,
was much louder.
The two men set the silent running
elevator into motion. Down they
went until the cellar floor was
eeucnJs. Then they made their way
to the Npor OF the room In which the
gas cylLAs ders were kept. It was shut
tight, bur Hampton placed his eye
to the keySole. In that first glance
the mystery was no longer one, for
there ayaong the tiers Of cylinders
was Jalte Wright. He was juct in the.
act of opening n of the valves. Gas
was escaping from 4. dozen others.
Mr. Hampton stood for a full minute
watching this interesting sight. Then
he moved to let the agent get q peep.
What shall we dor he asked.
go In and catch him." answered
SIS the door not locked?"
Eyes, but we can force it open."
"No need to do that; make some
noise that win scare him away. To-
morrow night he win return to finish
lis work. We win have some officers
here and catch him in the act"
The two men hurried quietly up
The steps at the rear of the cellar, and
going into the front office made a lot
OF noise with their feet on the floor,
rs II they had but just arrived. The
sound was soon shut of.
ruse had worked the desired re-
suit.
The following night found Mr..
afr. Hampton and an Of
secreted in the room behind o
pile OF cylinders. About eleven O'Clock
d small portion of the floor was raised
rom Its place. A moment later d Ian
term was hauled up through the open
then the head and shoulders of
/ man appeared. Slowly he drew him
self MP through. Putting the lantern
III his arm he took a small wrench
his pocket and commenced to
loosen the cap Of one of the cylinders.