Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-03-29
IN A STREET CAR.
nv DLAxonE ELIzADErH WADE.


Mr. Ferguson was an amiable man. That
ae had consented to do some shopping for
his wife, proves the fact, and that he did
not use ioreible language at the end Of his
tour of the crowded shops, emphasizes the
statement. Mr.. Ferguson was conseien-
tious man, as was shown by the care he took
in matching samples, BY the willingness
with which be put his hands a little deeper
into his pocket, that Maud might have the
best article OF the kind the market aft
forded, and by the anxiety with which be
consulted the list, for fear he should nave
skipped a single item
chat is all" he said at last, Al he folded
no 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"
"Therel 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 a 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 at 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."
"Is the bell good sounder?" asked Mr.
Ferguson.
ooh, yes, sir" said the clerk. at will
wake anything, sir I've wound It and set
IT, and ii you'll wait for about two minutes,
III show you"
'Neyer mind that If It makes racket,
u .1.-
hear the rising-bel Directions inside?
Well then, just pack it into box, and III
be off. ! want 10 catch the next car"
Mr. Ferguson caught the car. found seat
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-.
thusiastie remarks, that Mr. Ferguson be-
gan to look upon himself as a sort of hero.
The sudden loud, though mufiied ringing Of
gong startled him from the mood Of
dreamy self-complaeence into which he had
fallen.
Mercy! What's that?y exclaimed Miss
Bailey. "A fre-engne?" 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
ire-engine or ambulance. Moreover, hear
no more ringing"
"Well," said Miss Bailey, 81 daresay it
was an automobile passing the car. Some
of the men that run them have as little re-
gard for persons nerves as a wild Indian
would"
Then there was another vicious jangle,
and Mr.. Ferguson noticed that other pas
sengers were as interested and as mystiied
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?"
ooh, no, said Mr.. Ferguson. "The gong
is a,ways on the front end of the car,
wfe-e the motorman can work it prop
erly.'
The car had taken on many passengers by
this time, and Mr.. Ferguson rose as a 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 a flash, the idea struck him that the
noise proceeded from his recent purchase
the tattoo alarm-clock He had forgotten
its very existence. The sound once more
died away In nervous dread, he counted off
zen seconds. The alarm again made itself
known. One thought pushed itself through
the crowd of other thoughts surgng
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 VI
out; and when the gong burst forth on the
next round, hA wisely shook his head, and
looked past people and out of the window.
AS-t last hateful sound died away. he
.'aocra down at Miss Bailey. She was ex-
pale and was trying to speak to him
He bent his head,
"Oh, Mr.. Ferguson" she said, family,
stop the ear, please do, and kindly help me
off quickly"
Mr., Ferguson signaled the conductor
The car stopped just as that outlaudish
alarm accomplished another turn. He got
off the car with Miss Bailey, and She
gasped;
oh, Mr.. Ferguson, thank you so muchl
1t was that dreadful aarm-eloch that upset
me I never thought what it was until il
had gone off several times. III never buy
another tattoo alarm as long as live!"
"Why, Miss Bailey, the clock was mine,
It's in this box!"
Mine in this box" said she, holding up a
similar package, ''but l didn't know the
| alarm was set"
You're mistaken, my dear Miss Bailey,
said Mr. Ferguson, "and to prove it, III
undo mine"
He did so, and sure enough! Now clear
! and triumphant, arose TIE voice of the
cloeF freed from mrffling wrappers