Mower County transcript., 1908-10-07

II don't See," gasped the executive.
~What-what are you talking about?
II didn't know-that is, wasn't real
sure about it until 1 inquired this
morning. I thought the sailings were
regular and frequent by this time,
and"
"You are going to leave Pandaro
this afternoon-the afternoon OF all
Afternoons said the president.
That's it, that's it, Mr.. President.
Now, you see. My presence on board
the Pranzos before she sails is far
more important than my presence at
the palace after that hour-four-1
can tell you. I know you must be in
the dark and think I'm crazy, but l
simply cannot tell you any more than
that I must be aboard that vessel by
four"
"You have said nothing to me about
this BEFORE" said the president, scarce
ly able to believe his own ears. "Have
you had important word from home?
Is some one"
"No-nothing Of the sort; that is,
yes-oh, you see, am under contract
to be at Havana within specified
time" He sighed and smiled as though
he had made himself perfectly clear
to the befuddled mind OF the execu-
tive.
''And you want"
Eyes, I've simply got to have it-66
riffos at least. If you can fix me out
I'll be under lasting obligations to you,
and will return the money as soon az
can"
Barado looked into Jerry's dancing
eyes for fully a minute and then burst
into violent laughter. Jerry smiled,
but it was a sickly smile.
"Of course, you shall have all the
money you want" said the president,
"but I cannot understand why you
are in such great haste to leave Pan
daro. Surely, you cannot be weaken
ing before the honor that is to be
shown you this afternoon, and"
"Oh, that will be easy" said Jerry.
"But you will fix me out!'
'For all you want"
Within few minutes Jerry Cham
bers had on his person 500 riffos,
equivalent to about $40O in the money
OF the United States of America. This
was a fortune to him, for at no time
after he boarded the Sister Mary in
the Erie basin had he possessed more
than $25.
While he was dressing for the great
reception Jerry reflected on the situa-
tion with mixed amusement and
doubt.
1t was shortly after two o'clock
when the first strains from the great
military band of 70 pieces burst like
musical thunder from behind a forest
OF palms in the balcony Of the grand
ballroom Of the palace. Almost all Of
the guests had assembled by that time
The committee on arrangements had
planned to have Capt. Jerry escorted
to the station of honor promptly at
2:3O o'clock. The minister OF justice
was to have his arm to the center Of
the hall, where President Barado was
to await him with the Cross OF Honor.
AS is usual in such cases, however,
there was delay. The floor was not
cleared until ten minutes before three.
>~; and Jerry who, had been waiting in
t., an ante-room for an hour, was but lit
tie short Of a bundle OF 1 unstrung
~ nerves. = His eyes were on the clock
all the time that he was not trying to
be. pleasant with those about. him.
:. When: the dtgnified; slow-moving min
lister Of Justice finally did come he al
most ran to meet him.
A fanfare OF .trumpets was followed
by a mighty roar from the thousand
persons assembled, being succeeded
by an outburst that was but little less
than wild pandemonium when Jerry,
clothed in the full dress of a captain,
appeared in view. Under most circum-
stances he could keep cool and reason
ably calm, but when he felt himself
the sole object of 1000 eyes he almost
lost his bearings completely, scarcely
realizing where he was and what he
was expected to do. From the massed
sldelines roses we're hurled at him by
the women, and the seas of wildly aut-
tering handkerch1efs and small flags
almost made him dizzy. This demon
stratlon was accompanied by a din of
voices that probably is ringing in his
ears yet.
Nothing could have pleased the
president more than the great recep-
tion accorded to the handsome young
officer, who, when he came to a stop
before him, looked into a pair of eyes
that snapped, with love and admira,
ton. $50 - ~ *. ai
A signal from the. master Of cere.
monies instantly, hushed the vast as.
semblage, and every ear was inclined
towards the station of honor. -
capt. Gerard Chambers" began
President Rarado, slowly and impres.
sively, "you stand In the presence of
this vast concourse Of people this aft
ernoon one of the most beloved men
In all Urania." Deafening applause
halted the speaker fully three minutes.
"You are here to receive the greatest
honor that the president OF the people
can confer upon you the Cross Of
Honor. The whole republic thus hon
ors you: all Urania takes this means