The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-03-28
In a STREET CAR.
Dr. RLANcHn ELIzAnErH WADE.

not use IOrclDie language at the END OF mis-
tour of the crowded shops, emphasizes the
statement. Mr.a Ferguson was conscien-
tious man, as wa shown by the care he took
in matching samples, by the willingness
with which he put his hands little deeper
into his pocket, that Maud might have the
best article of the kind the market af-
forded, and by the anxiety with which he
consulted the list, for fear he should have
skipped single item
"That is all, he said at last, as he folded
up the paper containing the formidable
array, and patted his well-flled pockets
with satisfaction. Then some writing on
the outside of the slip caught his eye:
AN alarm-clock for Teddy"
sTherei It's lucky thing saw that on
time, with no offense to the pun, said Mr.
Ferguson, and he made his way back
through the crowded aisle to counter
where the hours were licked off in the very
latest styles.
Here is something new in the way Of an
alarm-clock," said the clerk st is known
as the tattoo alarm, and when wound and
set will beat for fifteen minutes, regular
tattoo on the bell, at intervals Of ten sec
onds."
us the bell good sounder?" asked Mr.
Ferguson
ooh, yes, sir" said the clerk. cit will
wake anything, sir. I've wound it and set
it, and if you'll wait for about two minutes,
I'll show you"
Never mind that. If it makes racket,
that is all want, for Teddy never seems to
hear the rising-bell. Directions inside?
Well, then, just pack it into box, and I'll
be off. want to catch the next car"
r.. L.. r
in the forward end, and sat down beside
Miss Grace Bailey, dear friend of his wife,
Miss Bailey asked numerous questions
about Maud. Teddy and the baby and
praised Mr.. Ferguson for his bravery in
even undertaking so dangerous task as the
one he had performed that afternoon. In
fact, she was evidently so honest in her en-
thusiastic remarks, that Mr.. Ferguson be-
gan to look upon himself as a sort Of hero.
The sudden loud, though muffled ringing of
gong startled him from the mood Of q
dreamy self-complacence into which he had
fallen.
Mercy! What's that?" exclaimed Miss
Bailey "A fre-enginew and she turned in
her seat that she might look out of the
window.
Either that or an ambulance, | should
say" replied Mr.. Ferguson. Those gongs
sound somewhat alike, but don't see any
thing answering to the description Of either
| fire-engine or ambulance. Moreover, / hear
no more ringing"
"Well," said Miss Bailey, IT daresay it
was an automobile passing the car. Some
of the men that run them have as little re-
gard for a persons nerves as wild Indian
would!'
Then there was another vicious jangle,
and Mr.. Ferguson noticed that other pas
sengers were as interested and as mystifed
as were he and Miss Bailey.
THAT'S certainly very queer" said she
when the sound ceased. "Do you think
there is gong on the side of the car, per-
haps"
"Oh, nc" said Mr.. Ferguson 1.-THE gong
is always on the front end of the car,
where the motorman can work it prop
erly."
The car had taken on many passengers by
this time, and Mr.. Ferguson rose as lady
approached. He lifted his hat, and said:
Take my seat, madam"
| As he did SO, the unearthly changing be-
| gan again. Was it imagination, or did the
noise really rise with him? Miss Bailey
was watching him anxiously; SO was the
lady who occupied his seat, and SO were
the passengers in the immediate vicinity.
Like flash, the idea struck him that the
noise proceeded from his recent purchase
the tattoo alarm clock He had forgotten
it's very existence. The sound once more
died away. In nervous dread, he counted off
ten seconds. The alarm again made itself
known. One thought pushed itself through
the crowd of other thoughts surging
through his brain. He must get off from
that car, Immediately. But another
thought elbowed its companion. What
would Miss Bailey think? He had been in
nocent in his ignorance of the cause of this
performance; but if he should tell her now,
would she believe him truthful all along,
or would she not rather think that from
the first he had known what created the dis
turbance and was ashamed to declare the
actual conditions. Well, he would bluff it
out; and when the gong burst forth on the
next round, he wisely shook his head, and
looked past people and out of the window.
AS the last hateful sound died away, he
glanced down at Miss Bailey. She was ex-
tremely pale and was trying to speak to him.
He bent his head.
"Oh, Mr.. Ferguson" she said, family,
"stop the car, please do, and kindly help me
off quicklyl"
Mr.. Ferguson signaled the conductor.
The car stopped just as that outlandish
alarm accomplished another turn. He got
off the car with Miss Bailey, and she
gasped:
"Oh, Mr.. Ferguson, thank you so much
1t was that dreadful alarm-clock that upset
me. never thought what it was until it
had gone off several times. I'll never buy
another tattoo alarm as long as livei"
"Why, Miss Bailey, the clock was mine.
It's in this box!"
mime in this box" said she, holding up a
similar package, "but didn't know the
alarm was set"
you're mistaken, my dear Miss Bailey. .
said Mr.. Ferguson, "and to prove it, I'll
undo mine"
He did so, and sure enough Now, clear
and triumphant, arose the voice of the
clock, freed from muffiing wrappers.
Wasn't it awful?" cried she, when both
could stop laughing. "I fully expected il
would all come out in the papers tomorrow
with my picture, and the heading: "a hu.
man gong! Exciting scene in Cart or some
such horrid title"
When Mr.. Ferguson entered his house.
his wife called:
"Is that you, Theodore? What are Won
doing with a gong"
Nothing, my dear" he replied, YEARLY.
tits just undoing me!"--Ledger Monthly.
He Took Precautions.
Excuse me, your serene heftiness." mur-
INJURED Mr.. Toady, of Sheecawpo as he knelt