The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-17
A Thrilling Story of The Chinatown Tongs
DOUGLAS PIERCE

I title of Uncle Ferdinand" while MILF
cent used only the more formal MI,
Bates.
TIE two girls were evidently on q
frs trip TO New York, and out for
al that they could sec Tom heard
them speak of the art museum, of vis-
its TO the stores and theaters and res
taurants, and there was an eager dis
cussion as TO whether a pilgrimage to
4 Bronx Park or to Wall Street and old
( Trinity should form the program for
the following day. They were lively,
enthusiastic full of interest in their
present excursion, and asking all man
ner of questions.
On the other hand, their escort seemed
CurOuSly iN at ease. From some re-
marks which were dropped it appeared
that he lad been forced into the eXpe-
ditiOn rather against his will, and now
was 10 be seen and urging a return up
town.
"ThereH be nothing doing such a
night as this with no crowds on hand,
he repeated several times. Hurry zap,
girls, and I'll take you back &c the
hotel
They assured him. however. that they
were enjoying il tremendously. and still
fingered on over their tea, while he con-
tinued to fdget and glance ZAP nervous
~ every time some newcomer entered
the door.
Tom supposed at first that he was
just one Of the ordinary New York neu-
raSthenics, never content to stay five
minutes in one place, and with his at
tentiOn very fully occupied in gazing at
Milicent, paid little heed to the old
fellows actions.
But presently the disduietuie became
so marked as to draw remOnstranCe
from the niece, rendering il plain that
her relatives behavior was at least I'M
usual enough 10 attract her observa-
ton.
why, uncle" she exclaimed. you
are like a hen on a hot griddle, as we
say out in Chicago IL seems to me
YOU are paying a very small compliment
when YOU show yourself so anxious to
be rid &C our society.
The OLE gentleman endeavored to ap-
pear more composed after this, and at
tempted 20 return d gallant retort. but
he made DOOr work Of it, and continued
10 pull at his mustache and twist about
in his seat almost as much rs before
Tom. his curiosity excited, watched
him interestedly, wondering what could
be the cause Of his trepidation.
There was certainly nothing about the
restaurant to arouse such seeming ap-
prehenston- It was one of the we'll
known places where rOWdies and rough
characters were Tigidly barred. No one
was about who seemed in the least in
clined TO become offensive. In fact the
place was deserted except for himself
the party Of three and the group Of
Chinese chatteTing low voiced over their
tea IN the far corner; nor was II likely
that anybody else would come at so
late an hour The proprietor was al
ready beginning to reckon up his days
profits and the walters were showing
signs that closing up time was near at
hand
What. then. could be the matter?
After considering all the circumstances.
Tim finally came to the not altogether
satisfactory conclusion that "Uncle's'
nervousness was simply due to mis- hav-
Inc two such lovely charges alone IN
such an unsaVOry quarter of the town
gave I'D his speculatiOns for the more
cOngenial pastime Of watching the
changing expression on Millicents mo-