The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-11-06

well, I'd Sc lookin' forward to fifteen
more years Of it stead Of bein' here
with me future before me. bright as
paste. But everything was SO nice and
quiet l just says to meself. TN tour
the next floor So piles me stuff by
the grand exit, where 1 can pick it up
when l strolls out, and climbs the
stairs.
"And the first thing know I'm tax
in part in a high life tragedy drama.
'Twasn't no supe part either; twas the
role of the hero that drops in when
he's least expected and saves the whole
cheese. 1 opens the first door I comes
to, and I nearly faints, OWN to gas.
The room was full Of it, and closed
the door, standin' for minute with me
hand on the knob thinkin'. Twas no
picnic Of mine, Of course, but couldn't
help feelin' that somethin' was wrong
that somebody was tryin' to croak and
that it was up to me to save 'em II
they was to be saved. That settles 1t.
I draws in two bagfuls of wind and
opens the door again, slidin' across the
floor to a window and raisin' the cur
tain, and then l tumbles. There's a
girl on the bed and letter on the ia
ble-the same old layout. I tries to
raise the window, bat 1t won't bulge
1t didn't take me all summer to find
the leak. The stencil was comm from
a hole in the wall where pipe-one
Of these things that sticks out about a
foot-had been busted off. She must
have hung her whole weight on that
thing and jumped up and down! But
she'd got an elegant flow of gas-'way
ahead of what she'd have got by turn
in on the burner, and the beauty of it
was that nobody could turn it off. !
couldn't see nothin' else to do but put
me thumb over the hole, and that's
what I done, takin' short breaths till
enough Of the vapor had got out at the
door to let me pump somewhere near
normal, and them ..r
"And then" Mr.. Kelly had planted
his elbows upon the table. contemplate
ing Mr.. Dawson f1xedly.
"And then-I waited. What else
was there to do? I couldn't sneak,
leavin' things that way, could I? I'd
have been ashamed to look an honest
man in the face forevermore if I'd
done that. And after awhile I hears a
patti-pat in the hall and a dopy voice
say, Seems to me smell gas You're
dead right, me FRIEND calls. Hustle
in here, and don't strike q glim for
your life!
And then has the pleasure Of max
in the acquaintance of the Honorable
James Van Altren. He's in his pajamas
and his hair is towseled and his feet
have no coverin' and his eyes are
blinky. IT'S two minutes maybe before
he can shake himself together. The
first question he asks is a double
header. Who are you and what is the
meanin' Of thisT he says. I'm thief
says 1, and the young lady on the bed
there is one too-at least she's been
tryin' to rob the world Of her presence,
My Gawd! says he. SEEM what's up.
And what are you doin'T I'm holdin'
me thumb over this gas WE'LL says l.
and I'm gettin' weary
"'Oh.' says he, and skips over to the
bedside. He shakes the girl, and she
sits up, starin' like a wild thing. Then
be turns to me again. How long have
you been hereY he says. 4 don't
know says 1. but plenty long enough
to save the young lady's life This
room was fright when l got here
Will you stick your thumb over this
hole till can rest me arm bitp And
he sticks his thumb over the hole and
bids him a courteous adieu and
slides, leavin' him there. 1 didn't stop
for nothin', not even me lantern. /
was sick. I was afraid l wouldn't be
strong enough to get to a safe place
before I'd have to stretch meself. May
be you remember, Muggsy, how groggy
I was for time after got here?
YES" responded Mr.. Kelly, with a
succession re mods; 81 remember"
"Well, that was the string l had on
Van, and after I'd served what l
thought was a fair time for what I'd
done to Snapper Griffin l writes to the
governor, recallin' to him the circum-
stance. And he comes down handsome
as l was sure he would. He gives me
the honor of personal interview, and
he falls on me neck in sort Of mild
way and tells me that he believes me
story regardless Of the court, and he
sends me a pardon, and that's ALL"
"Geev' said Mr.. Kelly after a
thoughtful interval. "Supposin' Van
hadn't been elected!'
"Don'tw said Mr.. Dawson. 1T gives
me horrible pain to think of it!'
And the girl-what was the matter
with herY persisted Mr.. Kelly.
81 didn't ASK" responded Mr.. Daw-
son. "'Twas none of me business"
How Russian Men Wear Their Coats.