The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-09
Willie Wichman's Rise.

Andy Breen and Willie Wichman were
in love with the same girl. Their con-
test over the affections OF Annie Hay
wood had gone on for about six months.
Apparently neither had gained a lead.
Annie could not bring herself TO make
choice. She liked them both.
This was perhaps peculiar, for the suit
ars were of distinctly different tempera-
ments. Breen was stylish He thought
more of an appearance than of educa-
ton or sober knowledge of any kind. He
was gallant and pleasing to the ladies',
and was considered a good catch By the
matronly minds of the village. He was
head salesman in the country store al
Woodstock, where anything from hair
pin to a ploy could be purchased. he re
ceiyed the munificent sum of So per
week
Willie Winchman, on the other nand,
was rough-shod, but good-natured and
Woodworking He lacked the gayety
which brings a young man into demand
at social functions.
Willie was being brought up to the
trade of cobbler. His father was the most
widely-known tradesman in the VII
lage.
One night, after small society gath
ering, Willie went home feeling down
cast That night he thought the matter
over and decided he wouldzgo to New
York, make a name for himself, return
and carry off the prize. So. on Saturday
the weekly paper printed this item;
willie Winchman is going TO New
York to make his fortune"
Andy Breen felt happy and easy after
this. His way would be clear.
Annie was philosophical. Willie had
told her his intentions and she had given
him her blessing
In two weeks the local paper an
nounced:
Willie Winchman, who left us fort
night ago, has secured a position in the
employ Of the X. L. n. T. Railroad,
New York;
Everybody seemed glad that the young
man was getting along. but the para
graph created no great furore.
Along about three months afterward
another item appeared, thus:
Mr. William Winchman, son of his
father. has been promoted and is now a
trusted empioye Of the great X. L. n. T.
Railroad, in New York
During the period Of Willies absence
Andy Breen had had a fiourishing time
in his courtshiD. He and Annie had al
lowed Willie TO float from their minds.
They We're engaged.
When the last account of WiIlie's do
ings appeared the girl began to think she
had made a mistake in accepting Andy
without waiting to see how the other
sutton advanced. So, she put her wed
ding off, saying she would like to wait a
little longer.
The whole village talked In their i'm
agination they could see the representa-
tive Of the village at the head of the
railroad rOrOOrat
Andy Breen naturally took the matter
to heart. The postponement Of his wed
ding made him look like the proverbial
30 cents in the eyes of the people.
One day Mrs Haywood announced TO
her daughter that she was going to New
York TO do some shopping. Annie plead
ed to be taken along
The afternoon the girl and her mother
arrived in the city Annie slipped away.
Straight to the X l.. n. t Railroad she
made her way. Inquiry at the ferry
house brought no information as to the
object of her search. She crossed the
ferry.
The day was unpleasant. A drizzling
rain was falling and a. heavy fog hung
over the Hudson river.
Annie asked more questions on the
Jersey side. No one could tell her what
she wanted to know. Finally she start
ed back. She walked to the end of the
ferry dock
As she was about to step on the boat
a sight greeted her eyes which made her
hold her breath for second. There was
Willie, high up on the side of the ferry
slip.
He was ringing the fog bell.
Annie married Andy Breen the next
week.