The Washington times., 1902-06-15


dent, even to the diluted wits of the
ferryman. that his fervent prayer hat
not been answered. And, furthermore
he realized but too well that the gen
tleman, reasonably well-to-do. mounted
on his sleek, substantial horse. showed
unm:stakable signs of an intention &c
cross the Hudson. Now, this being nei-
, ther agreeable nor yet amusing to the
, ferryman, he became on the instant
, filed with unreasoning spleen. though
in reality he was of the mot even and
kindly disposition.
The well-to-do, middle-agcd gentle
man on the substantial cob, you must
know. was none other than Mr.. Argyle
Bartlett. Mr. Bartlett was evidently
from Boston, for there was that about
him which told OF the New Englander;
and then, as now. most substantial-look-
ign middle-aged gentlemen OF New Eng
land birth hailed originally from Bos-
! ton. There was. however. something
about the cut of his coat, which, though
scrupulously clean, was OF a somewhat
ancient pattern. that suggested that
Mr.. Bartlett might possibly have come
| from q town somewhat nearer the back
woods than Boston. Mr.. Bartlett ap-
peared to be, in other words, nothing
more nor less than a merchant OF New
England, who, having set aside some
profits from his business year by year.
seemed now wandered somewhat from
1 nhat aIe In
tunate season. And. though the ferry
man did not know him from Father
| Adam. or from me, for that matter. he
realized that he must row him across.
AS the traveller approached the ferry
man perceived that he had pistols in
| his saddle holster. ard that he wore
sword. That. again, went to show that
Mr.. Argyle Bartlett was as shrewd as
he was scrupulously clean, thereby ex-
hibitlng two qualities that marked him
as a New Englander. "In such times"
he had evidently said to himself. I'm
such times 1t is wise to go prepared for
anything" Consequently he went
armed.
The ferrymen, still bearing in mind
the warm sheets, grew upon the In
stant even more untrue to his better
self He merely motioned toward the
ferry and moved over to 1t himself
They were soon out on the river and
shortly touched the eastern bank.
About noon Mr.. Argyle Bartlett came
up with the Verplancks pickets, and.
presenting his passes, was taken into
Colonel Livingstone's presence by the
corporal of the guard. He explained his
desire to be allowed to go on, stating
that he was extremely pleased to be
within American soldiers protection. as
he had had an uneasy time for the last
five days He carried note from the
officer In command of the American
forces at Philadelphia, notifying all
whom 1t might concern that he was Mr..
Argyle Bartlett, merchant OF Boston. and
on his way home.
Strangers-such strangers as one
might talk with-were few enough in
that camp, and hence. after a short con-
versation as to the condition OF affairs
in Philadelphia, the colonel was delight
tu u grant HIS Ic4utSL ~ NC tNNu ~
stay and have dinner with the officers.
What followed has been told me
so many times since by my friends
that l know 1t By heart. An hour
passed, and Acton, Curtis, the
doctor, and several others were
still sitting about the room. The
guard had been changed and at the
moment there was nausht 20 do. Acton
sitting by the door evidently caught 4
draught OF cool O:tobe- air, to- on
sudden his gaze grew fixed. his head
went back and he sneezed loud enough |
to lift the roof. He thrust his hand into |
his pocket and fished out 4 kcrchief.
"Egad, Acton, my lad" said the doc
tor, yen have the spssms II re repeat
that. Helloa! what's here? Aha! my |
friend. We've got thee nova love
token, as I'm sinner" and he stopped |
to pick up paper that had come from |
the others pocket along with the ker- |
chief But the lieutenant wa. too quick |
for him.
Acton then read slowly the following: |
PROBLEM 3.
"A can ride to Hardcastle in four hours at /
six miles an hour by the shorter road. can |
do it in three hours az eight miles an hour |
on the same road. starting earlier. How far |
must go by the longer road if he travels |
six hours and goes at the rate represented By |
the sum of one half the rate OF each Of the
Others. and when must he start in order TO ar
rive hour after A?
No one could keep back a smile at the
puzzled expression on the lieutenant's
face as he read this simple problem,
that is to say, no one except Curtis; and.
as he got up with the others to look at
the paper his face took on thoughtful
look that passed unnoticed at the mo-
ment.
20, aye" he said. carelessly. "'t is
paper. no doubt. Keep it. man, and
study out the answer
Not l." cried Acton, and, crumbling
It UP, he threw it under the table and
;talked out. The others followed or
liferent duties, but Curtis remained,
smiling thoughtfully. In a few moments
lie reached under the table, picked up
he paper, smoothed 1t out. and studied
I with an amount Of care that would