Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-07
CHAPTER vi.
THE MAN ON THE BOX.

THE MAN On The BOX.
At 1880 he locked up his book and
took to his room the mysterious bundle
which he had purloined from the sta
bles. 1t contained the complete livery
of groom. The clothes fitted rather
snugly, especially across the shoulders
He stood before the pier-glass, and g
complacent (not to say roguish) smile
fitted across his face. The black half
. boots, the white doeskin breeches, the
brown ss-buttoned frock, and the
white hat with the brown cockade
. 4. Well, my word for 1t, he was
the handsomest jehu Washington ever
turned out. With grin he touched
his hat to the reflection in the glass
and burst out laughing. His face was
as smooth as baby's for he had gen.
erously sacrificed his.beard.
I can hear him saying to himself:
Lord, but this is lark! I'll have tc
take another Scotch to screw up the
edge of my nerve. Won't the boys
laugh when they hear how stirred the
girls frizzes! Well have little par
ty here when they all get home. It's
a good joke"
Mr. Robert did not prove much of a
prophet. Many days were to pass ere
he reentered his brothers house.
He stole quietly from the place. He
hadn't proceeded more than a block
when he became aware of the fact thu
he hadn't penny in his clothes. This
discovery disquieted him, and he half
turned about to go back. He couldn't
go back. He had no key.
"Pshaw! I won't need any money!
and he started off toward Connect
cut avenue. He dared not hail car
and he would not have dared had he
possessed the fare. Some one might
recognize him. He walked briskly fol
ten minutes. The humor of the es.
capade appealed to him greatly, anc
he had all he could do to smother
the frequent bursts of laughter which
surged to his lips. He reached absent
ly for his cigar-case. No money, nc
cigars.
That's bad. Without cigar I'm
likely to get nervous. Scraping of
that beard made me forgetful. Jove!
with these feshings, feel as self-con-
scious as an untried chorus girl. These
toys can't be very warm in winter.
Ha! that must be the embassy where
all those lights are; carriages. AL
lons!"
To make positive, he stopped pc.
destrian.
Pardon me, SIR" he said, touching
his hat, "but will you be SO kind as
to inform me if yonder is the British
embassy"
'It is, my man." replied the gen
tleman.
THANK you, sir"
And each passed on to his affairs
Nov for William; we must fine
William, or the joke will be on Rob
ert"
He Unanswered his way through
the congested thoroughfare, searching
the faces of the grooms and footmen
He lodged hither and thither and was
once brought to halt by the mounted
police.
Here you! What dye mean by run.
ming around like this. Lost your car
riage, hey? I've mind to run We
in. Y know the rules relatin' tn leav.
in of yer box in times like these. Beer
takin' a SLY nip, probably, an they've
sent yer hack down a peg. Get gait
on y, now"
Warburton laughed silently as ht
made for the sidewalk. The first mar
he pumped into was William very
much worried William, too. Rober'
could have fallen on his neck for joy
All was plain sailing now.
I'm very glad to see you, sir" sale
William. "I was afraid you could no
get my clothes on, sir. l was getting
trifle worried, too. Here's the car
riage number"
Warburton glanced hastily at 1t ant
stuffed it into convenient pocket.
"It's 16 carriages up, sir; "a bay ant
gray. You can't miss them. Thu
bay, being a saddle-horse, is bit rest
i've in the harness: but all you hav'
to do is to touch him with the whip
And don't try to push ahead of you
turn, or you will get into trouble will
the police. They are very strict. Ant
don't let them confuse you, sir. TIL
numbers won't be in rotation. You'll
hear lis, and the next moment 35, lik'
as not. It's all according as to how
the guests are leaving. Good luck t.
you, sir, and don't forget to explain 1
all thoroughly to Mr.. Warburton, sir.
Don't worry, William; we'll com
out of this with colors flying"
very well, sir. l shall hang aroun'
till, you are safely off,"-and William
disappeared,
WaSburton could occasionally hea
the FAINT strain of music. From tim,
70 tims the carsiage-caller bswlsd on