The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-07-02
THE CAB THAT
WAITED
~ DON MARK LEMON
Copyright, by shortstory Pub. Coz

Cutting the envelope and drawing
out the folded sheet within, he read:
Bronson Stables: Send Jerry with cab
to my house to take mo to North Sta
ton to see friend of, and wait till
return PETER RUGGLES.
He called up the foreman of the
stables through the speaking tube and
gave him the order. "And mind you.
Jones, see that Jerry is on time" he
supplemented, for 1t was well known at
Bronson's that Ruggles' motto was.
Follow orders though it break own.
ers. Ruggles had once threatened to
sue the Bronson Stables for failing to
follow orders, and the clerk had been
cautioned to see that Ruggles' orders
should thereafter be followed to the
letter-though it might break Ruggles.
Promptly at three-thirty "Cheery"
Jerry, who had faithfully served the
drew rein at the handsome stone res
idence of Peter Ruggles, and just then
Ruggles, carrying a large magnifying
glass in his hand, came hurriedly down
the steps and entered the cab.
The station was reached in about
20 minutes, and, without waiting for
Jerry to dismount from his box, Peter
Ruggles opened the door of the cab
and leaped out.
wait here till I return, Jerry"
Thin be me orders, sor-till We
return"
That's my mani" Saying which,
Peter Ruggles hurried into the sta
ton. He had received a telegram to
the effect that a former classmate
would pass through the city that after
noon, and if he would be at the North
| Station at four ten he could have
few words on old times. This
classmate was on his way down
east and had with him a very fine
specimen of an exceedingly rare
beetle which Peter Ruggles wouldn't
have missed seeing for the presidency
Of rubber trust. For Peter Ruggles,
40 years Of age, wealthy, eccentric, a
bachelor and scholar, had one pas
sion-beetles.
The friend came, accompanied by
his sister, beautiful young lady with
large gray eyes, and Peter Ruggles,
drawing the magnifying glass from his
pocket, proceeded to examine the
beetle.
Where did you get it," was his
first query, after a thorough scrutiny
Of the precious specimen.
1T was sent to me from Maine"
The friend leaned over and spoke in
an undertone, as one who confides to
another where vast treasures are to
be found. "They say there are more
like it to be had down there, and I'm
on my way now to find them"
Peter Rusgtes gave start, stared
hard at the beetle, then at his friend;
then BY accident his eyes rested for
a moment on the fase of the young
lady with the large gray eyes, and
arising hastily he cried: Others like
it to be found! You certainly don't
mean IT."
II do"
Down in Maine?"
Down IN Name"
Then shall start ct once for
Mains!"
"Will you join us?"
Again by the merest chance the
eyes Of Peter RugB1os rested o. the
face Of tie young lady with the large
gray eyes. II WILL" he said.
The two men shook hands over the
compact, and q few minutes laeer the
train drew out for down east" carry.
ing Peter Ruggles' classmate, his
classmates sister, and Peter Ruggles
himself, in search Of an exceedingly
rare variety of-beetle.
From the next station Ruggles tele-
graphed to his housekeeper, informing
her that he would be absent from houss
for several weeks. and that she might
shut up house for the time being and
60 to her sisters.
Meantime Jerry waited with hs
cab, and four O'Clock passed; then
ave, then six, and still he waited.
Once before the honest Irishman
waited eight mortal hours for Peter
Ruggles, while that gentleman was de.
tanned by highly interesting game
Of whist, and not willing to be outdone
by himself, Jerry sat on his box and
waited.
Seven oclock-eight-nin
Jerry had got down once at nine and
stretched his legs bit,-but no Peter
Ruggles. Eleven-twelve,- the
driver still remained like sentry at
his post. At one o'clock he left his
cab moment to get a hot drink and
a bite of midnight lunch. Then he
returned to his box and waited
through the night, his horse falling
fast asleep in the shafts
"Me orders are to wait, an tn divil
take me If don't wait to Doomsday!"
was his CHEEKY, II half-sleepy, comment
to an inquiring fellow-cabby.
With the morning Jerry was rather
drowsy, in spite of the fact that he
had snatched several cat-naps during
the night, and was also little dis.