Mower County transcript., 1908-09-30
CHAPTER XIII,
A I;k>A L.

A Hitch in a Program.
All preparations for the great re.
ception to Capt. Jerry Chambers had
practically been completed. The
peasants fete had begun, and the
city of Pandaro never before had been
! in such gala dress. The bright colors
of the new Confederacy futtered from
every building, and the public houses
were almost hidden from view by
bunting and streamers. The visitors
came early, and when the fete was
begun there were fully 25,O00 country
people mingling with the democrats of
the capital.
The absence of Marina Bostos cast
gloom over the occasion. That she
was dead was believed by almost
every body and the faint l:ope in Jer-
rvs breast that she might be alive
was now but dim spark. It was sug-
gested that one day be given over to
mourning for the little saint of
| Urania," but the suggestion did not
carry because of the doubt of her be-
ing dead. In many churches, however,
prayers for the repose of her soul
were offered, and SO certain were
many that she was not alive that they
wore bits of crepe on their sleeves.
Jerry pleaded that the reception to
him be stricken off the program, but
in view of the fact that thousands had
travelled from the countryside to see
only him and the president of the na-
tion it was decided that the reception
should be held. Out of Difference to
the memory of Marina Bostos, how
ever, postponement to May IL was
made.
1t is doubtful If any other man
shared President Barado's glory more
fully than Jerry. He was lionized by
all classes, and there was a demon
stration of enthusiasm every time he
appeared in public view.
Not only was the name of Jerry
| Chambers on the lips of every man,
woman and child Of Uran1a, but it was
| lofty in the minds of the people of the
! United States of America by this time.
One of the proudest hearts in all
America beat within the breast of
Wallace Chambers, who, upon receipt
! OF information as to his sons where
| abouts and accomplishments in the
cause of liberty, declared that he
knew ''he would show the Chambers
cCSors.'" OF. course, Mrs. Chambers
anxious heart throbbed with apprehen-
sion and fear, but the tears that came
70 give her relief sprang from pool
of incompatible pride. And there was
another, too, who wept tears-Marsyl-
la Bayless-but they were tears of re-
greet.
Jerry Chambers was under "con-
tract" 1t will be recalled, to present
himself at - Gale Coliseo, City of
Mexico, at noon on June 10, the last
day of the first year of his absence.
It was on the morning of May IL that
he found himself trying to give
definite shape to his plans for the
future. Keeping as much as possible
from the sight Of the joyous throngs,
he went to the Office of the Trans
Oceanic Transportation Company. =
Il want to reach Havana about June
TO-" said he. What are your sail
.tngs?"
:'Just in time, SIR. said the agent.
"This afternoon at four: one OF: our
combination freight and passenger
vessels-the Pranzos-will start for
Havana. You see, since the war: be-
gan our service out of Pandaro has
been uncertain and unsatisfactory, and
we have not had chance yet to whip
it into shape. The Pranzos Is slow
goer, and she will put in three times
before reaching Havana. With good
luck, she should arrive there by
June 8. Until. the government turns
our other boats back to us our service.
must necessarily be Irregular. don't
think you can count on anything else
earlier than the last of the month"
Jerry's heart almost ceased beating
and for a moment he was speechless.
! Finally he exploded:
Great Scott! Must I sail for Ha-
vana this afternoon, or not at all?"
IF you must reach Havana around
the tenth, yes," answered the sur
prised agent .,.. ....< =
Jerry's mind was In tumble, and
before he fully realized what he was
doing he had made his reservation. He
fumbled in his pockets for money,
which a sober thought convinced him
he did not have ~ K" ri
| whats the fare?" he snapped.
"Sixty-six riffos.' ..
,''I'll bring the money around when
I call for the ticket" and the next
/ moment he was rushing towards the
| palace to see President Barado.. There.
! was only one thought In his mind: II
| must catch that boat!"
"Mr. President Jerry said, as soon
rs he had hustled the nations chief
officer into a private Office, his eyes
and voice betraying the intense ex-
citement under which he was laboring,
I'D like to tell you all, but-but I
haven't time now. / must leave Pan;
daro this afternoon for Havana" ("
Barado's chin dropped in amaze
ment and he began to stammer unin-
y