The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-11


his footing and fallen height Of four
stories sheer to the pavement below AS
The poor shattered body had just been removed and
dispense when TALL gaunt old standing the out
skirts of the throng, said aloud: ~.
All! Here it would
From the fact that the speaker alone, also the
reflective tone in which the words uttered it
evident that he intended reach other
than his But, it happened they heard by
other ears-those of stability but keen-faced
man of middle-age who stood near by <a,z zs.za
The keenfaced looked along the street, follow
ing the direction of the soloausts but seeing moth
ing to explain the others remark glanced at him
quiringly The old caught the purport of the
spoken question, and CHASTITY grin passed over his
IT knew it would knew it, he repeated following
the words with succession of hollow and mirthless
chuckles
knew what would do what?" asked the keen-faced
forgetting the rudeness of the question in the
Instead of Immediately answering the other darted a
You haven't the eyes a fool" said, 50 Til
horse?'
The keen faced man looked, and approaching at
slow, almost funereal rot, wheeler drawn by
powerful black horse. observed by his COM
panion it must have been considerable distance off,
but was now: almost opposite where they stood.
8 Yes it," he replied p.
You do, do you2 I1o, no., chuckled the old man. in
that set his listener wondering whether he
quite We'll, watch that horse and youn that
when it gets right there against it will turn its
>F
The keen-faeed scrutinized the passing turnout
curiousy Cab and driver offered nothing differing
the ordinary types while the only noticeable things
the horse that it did not have
it anywhere, and that in spite at
which is then moving it possessed
sderably more fire and spirit than the general Of
: cab hacks
Now watch" said the old man again and again with
that indescribable chucxle
oddly enough, just heard him
thru all the Of the street. the horse at that moment
swung it's head round and looked full at the speaker
The look only momentary, however, and the animal
never ceased to plod In very few minutes
and vehicle became ndstinguishabe amid the flood of
traffic.
eyes watchers followed the cab as long
they could it, and then the keenfaced stranger
turned to the old To his amazement he that
enignatic individual trembling violently exhibiting
all the signs of unnistakable fear.
you turns coming, your turns coming-your turns
That's what they said; that's what they always
say-alWays always, al. But this time they said it
plainly they before. Ho, no. no."
And off he went again in that horrible
much less like laughing than sobbing
Now, all but certain he had to with mailman,
keen-faced began think further time
spent in pursuing the conversation would be but
wasted and was turning away when the other laid hand
his
wait "a little sir" he said and his tone almost
that of entreaty. Il am not mad think,
me- should like you to my story. I have never
told it to human yet but it is not long one
the helpI want is only in the form of advice,
possibly disposed spare requisite time,
The keen-faced stared at the speaker in astonish
ment. His former approach to what had looked very
like gbbering diocy had quite gone, and in his
fnement of speech and bearing it impossible
take the educated gentleman if he did
the value of which could we'll have thought
thing account stone-broke, heel, as he
appeared he had been something very different
past the recognition prompted
the keen faced mans consent to his proposal.
well, I'll be willing to hear your story if you'll
question:" he said.
what is it ?''
This: What did you by that rigmarole about
your turns coming?' And who are they that
always it?'
For instant return of his former look appeared
old face then it passed and he answered:
They that demon horses your turns
coming they say, express every
time Isee them Ihave doubt this sounds absurd
when you have heard story will understand And
cannot talk in the street let go quiet
public house where have back room
to ourselves undsturbed. 81
Agreed the reply And cannot get on
very we'll without knowing each names will give
you mine. 1t is Ray Darlington. am author
IT thought So: have the eyes of one" said the
old man, with faint smile. well, will give
you name, my own for my tongue long ceased