Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-10
the merits and dement's Of their re-
spective teams, Thomas was welcomed

tHo merits ana QomerlLS OF Ll6lT re-
spective teams Thomas was welcomed
as friend Of long standing.
He took their chatting about the out
ward and visible signs Of his wetting
with characteristic good-humor; and
between repartees that brought broad
grin to the faces Of his associates,
managed to introduce certain terse
questions as to the matter in hand.
Eastern depot? Why, Big Jim had
a fare from there tonight. Here. Big
Jim, leave of your palaver with the
danes at that table a moment and
come and see Thomas!"
Obedient to the summons, with ready
goodwill, Big Jim nodded to the re-
porter, and was presently seated with
him at a conference carried on by both
parties in an undertone.
THE fare was woman, Thomas"
"a woman is what I'm looking for"
well, this one was so wrapped up
couldn't make much of her looks; but
will say this, she wasn't old, and she
was scared at something or other a.
most to death"
Where did you take her, Jim?"
ITO the Albany"
To the Albany" Thomas face fell.
eyes, sir; just there. She said to
me in quick sort Of way. like as if
frightened at something: Hickman,
won't you please take this money and
buy me ticket for Hartford? To be
sure would and did, old man. The
woman was all of tremble when put
the ticket and the change in her hand.
She rpumbled out something or other
thank you, suppose-and ran to the
train. although she had Is minutes to
spare; that II o'clock express, you
know. Something wrong with her, of
course?"
II don't know that, JIM" answered
Thomas, cautiously. II guess she can't
be the person wanted, after ALL
The two parted excellent friends. as
porter worked at his desk. Then he
curled up in his chair for nap, Inn
pressing upon one of the "night-owls"
there on duty to wake him at 4:45
without fail.
When the gong claShed at the AL
bany station at five the next morning,
among the passengers on that early
train-well-named Accommodation
was Mr. Thomas. In one hand he held
a copy Of the city edition of the morn
ing Globe. The other held ticket to
Hartford.
1t was 1880 before the Charter Oak
city was reached. Mr.. Thomas first
efforts brought him into contact with
the Jehus of the Connecticut capital.
1t was not at all a difficult matter to
find the whereabouts of the solitary
hack driver who waited for a chance
passenger on the night trains; but Tom
Ludlow was asleep, and the reporter
found the time on his hands until noon.
How are you, sir?" said Ludlow,
stretching himself and yawning as he
met the inquirer, who had been wait
ing for his awakening. Both were at
the door of the hotel stable. "a lady
fare? Yes. She's safe enough. Friend
Of CONSERVATIVE"
Mr.. Thomas thereupon set forth.
"AsAA AAoSA OolACoIucSS, IudL he QdQ
missed the young woman through an
unavoidable accident, that they were
going to friend in Hartford, and that
he had been much disturbed over the
fact that she had been obliged to make
the journey at night alone.
Naturally" he said, in closing, II
am anxious enough about her. She's
a timid girl; too young to be out clone
like this. But couldn't help >. I
hope you bestowed her safely some-
where. At her friends. l suppose?''
The coachman ficked fly of the
post near which he was standing with
great accuracy.
You are wrong there. Her friends
were out Of town. The girl did not
know what to do; cried and took on.
Course felt sorry for her, and drove
her to the hotel. Knowing the night
clerk, just said a word in his ear
that the lady was all right, and he
gave her q room. Curious, though.
why she'd wrap herself up So! didn't
get peek at her face at ALL"
Ito be continued in next issue.