The daily tribune., 1909-01-15
CHING
THE BOAT

that Luke ana the Twins went ioui
times to look at the calendar In order
to 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 30 sleepy
she couldn't tell whether she was eat
ing toast or leather.
1t was 2:30 when they reached Mil
waukee and they had three whole
hours in which to go to the Soldiers
home on the trolley cars. Wilkinson
fought in the civil war and never let
place of this kind so unvisited II he
could help 1t.
The trolley line ran through beau
tiful bit of country, and the twins
were delighted more than once by the
trees that brushed the top of the car.
The ride took an hour, so they were a
little stiff when they got out, and were
glad to walk around the beautiful
grounds to get rested There was 50
much to see and they lost their way
so many times that It was half-past
four before they knew It
They hurried back to the trolley
line, having to stop twice because OF
the breaking OF the patent handle on
the lunch basket. but when they got
there not car was in sight. Some
people who were Just driving away
no had hy0k a
down and wouldn't be In running order
again for two hours. II seemed too
dreadful to be true. but Serepta recog-
nized them as fellow voyagers, and
Luke ran to drug store telephone
and asked the manager. Wilkinson
was obliged to be at his ofilce early
in the morning. so he could not stay
over night, and they had not money
enough In all their purses to take
them home by rail. so there was moth
ing for It but to go to the landing
In carriages.
Luke went to a livery stable, where
he found that all but two small bug
gies had been hired by other passen-
gers of the boat some time before, and
these he seized upon at price I'm
advance) that took every spare cent
save Just enough for car fare at home.
They had lost 30 much time talking
and telephoning that It was very late
when they climbed into their buggies
and started. Mrs. Wilkinson, Serepta
and one of the twins got into one
buggy and the rest got into the other,
and with 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 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 SO sharp corner that
they testered on two wheels only. and
was not a bit comforted or reassured
| when the driver told her there was
nothing to fear. as the horse used to
belong to the FIRE department
| Luke decided after the third block
that he would give up his idea Of be
ing a lawyer and Join the fre depart
| mept Therefore, whenever he could
gather his scattered wits. he gasped
out questions regarding the enlistment
| and the number OF alarms In day
| The driver, answering In jerky mono
sy1lables, thought It paid better to bt
an iceman or teamster. especially
with five or six children to bring up
Once a policeman pursued them fol
two awful blocks. and the people or
the street shouted Stop thief" ant
Run away" But the policeman grew
| tired and turned back as soon as h'
got out OF his district. Mrs. Wilkinson
was immensely relieved when he dis
appeared.
When the mad race WAS nearly owe
Mrs. Wilkinson was worried for feal
| II might all be in vain, but after whirl
ing around few more corners ant
Just falling OF three collisions, she saw
the top, OF the boats tunnels ant
drew a long breath.
As they came to an abrupt joltini
halt the boats passengers ran to SCI
them, and. leaning over the railing
waved to them to hurry. They hat
Just half a minute TO spare, so the!
sprung out hastily and ran up thu
gangplank, thankful for their marrow
escape. Then. seated In the only va
cant chairs. munching sandwiches
tered into conversation with severa
passengers in vain quest for infor
nation.
Another half hour passed. The mo
ments dragged on and darkness set
tied down. Suddenly. however, upol
the appearance OF rotund figur
crossing the gangplank In leisurel.
they waited In silence for the boat T.
depart.
Fifteen minutes. a half hour. a who'll
hour. passed. and on one stirred. Som