The daily tribune., 1909-03-02
CATCHING
THE BOAT

The WllktnoQn IAmiIy nNO iOOAeu
forward to Wiikinson's holiday 70 long
that Luke and the twins went four
timea to look at the calendar in order.
10 make sure that 1t had really ar
rived.
They all arose at four O'Clock to put.
up the lunch and get down to the
landing In time to get good seats on
the upper deck. for there would be
great crowds going to Milwaukee.
Serepta declared she was SO sleepy
she couldn't tell whether she was eat
ing toast or leather.
1t was $3.50 when they reached Mil
waukee and they had three whole
hours in which to go to the Soldiers
heme on the trolley cars. Wilkinson
fought In the civil war and never let
q place of this kind 90 unvisited II he
could help 1t.
The trolley line ran through beau
tiful bit OF country, and the twins
we're delighted more than once by the
trees that brushed the top of the car.
The ride took an hour. 80 they we're
little stiff when they got out, and were
glad to walk around the beautiful
grounds to get rested. There was so
much to see and they lost their way
SO many times that It was half-past
four before they knew 1t. -
They hurried back to the trolley
line. having to stop twice because OF
the breaking of the patent handle on
tho lunch basket, but when they got
In
people who were Just drying away
called to them that the car had BROKEN.
down and wouldn't be in running order
again for two hours. 1t seemed too
dreadful to be true, but Serepta recog-
nised them as fellow voyagers. and
Luke ran to a drug store telephone
and asked the manager. Wilkinson
was obliged to be at his ONCE early
in the morning, 30 he could not stay
over night. and they had not money
enough in all their purses to take
them home by rail. 80 there was moth
ing for 1t but to go to the landing
in carriages.
Luke went to . livery stable. where
he found that all but two small bug
gers Of the boat some time before. and
these he seized upon at a price Tin
advance) that took every spare cent
save Just enough for car fare at home.
They had lost 80 much time talking
and telephoning that It was very late
when they climbed into their buggies
and started. Mrs. Wilkinson, Serepta
30 no tu,tr I'M
buggy and the rest got into the other,
and with a driver In each one 1t was
rather close quarters. The men guar
anteed that they would reach the
wharf in plenty Of time, and away
they went at a pace that at least
showed their good will. The Horses
seemed to enter into the spirit Of It,
and the way they tore through the
city streets was disgrace and vio-
lation Of the speed ordinance.
People stared after them. The
drivers whooped for those in front to
get out Of the way and small boys
stood on the corners and cheered
Mrs. wilkinson screamed once when
they turned 20 sharp a corner that
was not a bit comforted or reassured
when the driver told her there was
nothing to fear, - the horse used to
belong to the nre department.
Luke decided after the third block
that he would give up his idea Of be-
ing . lawyer and Join the fire depart
ment. Therefore. whenever he could
L. arte ha
out questions regarding the enlistment
and the number Of alarms in a day.
The driver, answering In jerky mono
syllables. thought 1t paid better to be
an iceman or a teamster, especially
with Ave or six children to bring up.
Once a policeman pursued them for
two awful blocks. and the people on
Run away" But the policeman grew
tired and turned back as soon as he
got out Of his district. Mrs. Wilkinson
was immensely relieved when he dis
appeared. +-
When the mad race was nearly over
Mrs. Wilkinson WAS worried for fear
II might all be In vain, but after whirl-
ing around a few more corners and
Just failing of three collisions. she saw
the tops OF the boats tunnels and
drew . long breath.
As they came to An abrupt jolting
halt the boats passengers ran to see
them, and. leaning over the railing.
waved to them to hurry. They had
Just half a minute to spare. 30 they
sprung out hastily and ran up the
gangpiank, thankful for their narrow
escape. Then, seated in the only va.
cant chairs, munching sandwiches.
tered into conversation with several
passengers in a vain quest for infor.
nation.