The suburban citizen., 1902-05-03


some one might be calling from there.
Having succeeded in seeing no one he
started rapidly down the street.
Presently he heard the pattering
footsteps of some one running behind
him. Would his dignity permit him
TO run? The idea made him blush but
he remembered that delay meant de.
feat for Long and that defeat for
Long meant dollars out Of his own
pocket
A plan of escape presented itself
He hurriedly drew his watch from his
pocket, glanced at Its face, and made
pretense of realizing that he was in
| danger Of missing his train. He took
tirmer grip on his satche and started
on a run for the railway station. He
had been an athlete in his day, and
even now was no mean runner.
Dodging the people when he could
and jostling them unceremcniously
when he could not, down the street he
fed. People eyed him with surprise
as he hurried by. Their surprise
changed TO wonder when, a few mo-
ments later boy dashed past, calling
loudly.
Then they realized that the promin-
ent citizen was not anxious so much
to catch a train as to avoid being
caught. Carl was shrewd enough TO
know that by calling TO the man he
would compel him either to stop or to
to give the impression Of being pur-
sued.
Passers-by who paused and watched
the chase did not understand the cause,
but enjoyed the spectacle.
We'll" calculated the Rev. Mr.. Nor
row. as he adjusted his silk hat after
coming in violent contact with the fee
ing man. only to have it tilted over the
other way by the youthful pursuer,
the town seems TO be on the move
this morning; business must be press
ing"
Yes" replied q bystander, Barker
seems to be a little rushed this morn
ing"
The chase was becoming exceedingly
interesting. Shopkeepers rushed to
their doors to learn the cause of the
disturbance. Mr.. Barkers face glOwed
a brilliant red; perspiration stood out
upon his countenance. Then he
caught sight of a cab standing on the
other side of the square, waiting for
business. The business came with a
rush
Mr.. Barker saw way of escape. He
dashed into the cab, calculated with
his remaining breath, depot, quickw
slammed the door and sank back pant.
ing on the seat. The drivers whip
Kissed in the horses ears, they leaped
forward and Mr.. Barker was Off.
Here was another good excuse to
present for not serving the subpoena,
but Carl was not looking for excuses.
For moment he was puzzled and
stopped short on the curb and gazed
after the cab.
Near by was a group Of jeering boys,
among them some whom he knew, for,
as he had told Mr.. Hof, this was his
native town.
Hey, legs" called one, "what you
waiting for? Why don't you go on?'
Carl turned toward the speaker, who
was leaning on a bicycle, and opened
his mouth as If TO make some sharp re-
tort, but catching sight of the wheel,
changed his mind and said, Lend me
your bicycle, Fox, will yOu?'
"Nope| replied Fox shaking his
head. 81 want it myself"
Carl watched the cab rolling down
the street and rapidly increasing the
distance between him and Mr. Barker.
Here" he said, thrustlng his hand
into his pocket, "In give you fifty
cents if you will let me use it."
Put il therew was FoX's brief but
expressive answer as he extended his
hand for the coin.
Carl gave him the money. threw
long leg over the saddle and was soon
pedaling down the street after the cab.
AS soon as he was fairly started the
boys set up a shout. Mr.. Barker was
wlping the perspiration from his ruddy
face and congratulating himself that
he had escaped from a very uncomfort.
able and trying situation, when the
shout reached his ears. He glanced
| back through the little window in the
rear and beheld that troublesome
youth astride a wheel and pursuing
him like fate.
Dear me-" he calculated, biting his
lips with veXation, "how annoyingl
What nuisance that boy lsr'
He thrust his head out of the cab
window and called to the driver, and
at the same time handed him some
thing which shone in the sunlight like
silver.
The driver took It and Immediately
displayed an astonishing interest in
his work. His horses, seeming to for
get all city rules and ordinances, broke
into run. Behind, a wheelman rode
like professional trying to break a
record There had been heavy rain
the night before, and the streets were
coated with greasy, Shiny ooze, which
flew up from the whirling tires like
spray from a fountain of ink.
1t covered the back Of the riders
coat with thick fern-leaf spatter-
work of mud that extended up over