Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-03

range. tfanSioTiLluS tiIe SUNNI
~ vistus of San Francisco bay
mlo Il drab inferno in which lost steam
ers Shricked their despair. Out on Lime
poin, steam siren beloved stray
coasters TO get into tie proper channel,
ana u;' TIE harbor the Goat island FOG
horn walled dismally TO passing ferry
boats. Along the water front craft OF
all kinds from the ocean liner TO the
stern whev! river steamer. splashed
E2,plesSly. raising very carnival OF
nois; i,ile their anxious masters pray
ed 10 the Garbor gods for II safe land
ing. After SundOwn the ferry light en-
gacpd in red struggle with the sti-
ting mist. The cable cars clanked and
c.a:lrred up Market street. flashing yei'
low winES through the encircling fog.
and the brilliantly lighted saloons eN'
tended an electric welcome to Shiverine
pedestrians. competing for public favol
with the restaurants. whose clouded
wi:.;,ows yelled tempting delicacies
from the unlicensed eye.
E2h Halliday. reporter for the Morn
ing iimcS. turned out of Market street
ana walked briskly along Montgomery
street. praying TO all the goCs of jour-
naiiSm that something might turn up.
lie was ont on a rowing commission.
wl.,ii means that the Times w;ls short
of live local news for the next morn
ing'S Issue and had sent out its star
man huStliug for Il thrill 10 serve up
with C"gS and toast NJ San Francisco 5
brea kGaSt table As yet Halliday had
failed 10 corner even the ghost of u sen
sation. Nothing capable of being work
ed into story" had crossed his path
that dag. Passing Jackson street with
out even glance, he struck into the
tangle of North Beach and dropped
into subStation No. /. \ grizzled cap
tain S;oGi ut the desk blotting an en-
try. wnl; from the tanks" issued the
harsh scream OF the female drunk
whose sins were being written in the
book of doom.
The reporter nodded good evening.
"Anyth.ng extra" lie asked.
The captain shook his head with i
don't bother air and carefully eXam-
incd the entry. The reporter stared.
He was accustomed 10 the idiosyncra-
sizes of Il hundred different kinds of
men. but this particular officer had al
ways been talkative TO the extent OF
boredom. His journalistic nose shifted
the air Something wrong in the police
departmcn evidently-perhaps scap-
dal. Might be scoop" in it for TIC
Morning Times. He stepped outside
ami ppercd through the window.
odd man looks serious" he NUT
tered I'D better stay awhile" He
walked back into the station. Think
III sit down and rest" he said. secretly
noting the captains annoyed look.
been trottins all day. Besides. some
thing may Giop in. Have cigar
Thanks"
The telephone bell rang sharply. The
caI;ain started.
NERVES" thought the reporter.
Didn't know Il policeman WAS sup
posed 10 have any
The officer stood at tie phone with
the receiver 10 his ear. He WAS tIying
TO look unconcerned. but his brow puck
cred into Il heavy frown.
Hello" he answered. Nothing yet:
Well. keep Il sharp lookout, Foley. and
telephone il you hear anything.
Water :iont post" nuttered III" re-
porter. That's promising
For weary half hour he held up his
end of Il conversation. but the captain
answered in monosyllables. y long ash
hung from his cold cigar. but he sill
gripped it between his teeth, putting
neryouSly. Looking up suddenly from
the contemplation OF the Office rules.
the journalist caught the officer regard
ing him stcalthily.
say" the captain burst out. Want
scoop"
I'll take one with you
We'll. if you'll hold back the news
till the paper goes to press you can
have il all 10 yourself. But promise if
the thing comes out all right YOU say
nothing"
It's II 90
The captain nodded his satisfaction.
The reporters word was better than
his papers bond. and the officer knew
it. He reli; his cigar, blew Il thick
cloud and began TO speak.
1.-TWO hours ago" he said. the night
relicfs went out under Sergeant Cross
man. He was TO post them on his way
down. gather in the last man. and-you
know the water front beat?'
Halliday si.niiied his knowledge.
We'll. he was to pick up the last
man there and raid sailors boarding
house on his way back. Some shang-
hailing there last night"
"Some tough places along there"
commented the other.
Two hours ago" continued the cap
tain. looking ut his watch. "he posted
Foley on that beat He's not been seen
or heard of since. And. what's more.
twelve patrolmen have disappeared
with him"
"Ph e-e-wv' whistled Halliday.
sWhatS become OF 'cm:"
wish knew. don't want to re-
port to the central Office while there's
ghost of show Of their turnin" up.
Crossmmn's Il careful officer. with a
good record. I'll give him till IL
O'Clock"
The two men sat cheek by jow! and
smoked heavily all evening. Business
| was little slick ut the station. y pa
rade uptown had drawn Off the floating
population and the captains lambs
were heinz gathered into other folds
| While they waited III" renort"r told
| curious tales of the rise oe tra FIJI.
| ;Smldred. but the captain heard then
| not. His mird was bus.iy t:hc'.u,
| thirteen siiadowy police!icn tLrdIGl
| forty and one probable cat"strophps
When the station clock struck twelve
he p;!!lcG his faet off the table. ros'
| and stretched himself.
|