The Elbert County tribune., 1914-04-24

present from some admiring constit,
uent"
He threw back his head and laughed.
but McCarthy's ready anger rose.
Where did the stun come from7"
Out OF the fresh air." replied the
operator. From most anywhere in
side the zone of communication"
Couldn't you tell who sent it7"
mo way. 1t wasn't signed. Come
from quite distance, though"
How can you tell that?"
You can tell by the way It sounds,
Say. they ought to be a law about
these amatoors cluttering up the air
this way. Sometimes got to pick my
own dope out OF dozen or fifteen
messages all ticking away in my head.
piece at once"
II know the crazy slob what sent
'em. all right. all right" growIed Nc
Carthy. He's nutty for fair"
We'll. II he's nutty. l wish you'd
hurry his little trip to Matteawan."
complained the operator, turning away.
The boss went to his ONCE. where
he established himself behind his
tabletop desk. There all day he con-
ducted leisurely business of mysteri-
ous import. sitting where the cool
autumn breeze from the river brought
Its refreshment
There were two other, inner, of1ices
to McCarthy's establishment. in which
sat private secretary and an ONCE
boy. Occasionally Mccarthy, with
some especial visitor, retired to one of
tfoI
sation. The secretary seemed always
very busy; the once boy was often in
the street. At noon Mccarthy took
lunch at a small round table in the
cafe below. When he reappeared at
the elevator shaft. the elevator starter
again verified his watch. Malachi Nc
Carthy had but the one virtue OF ac-
curacy. and that had to do with mat
ters OF time. At flve minutes of six
he reached for his hat; at three min
utes of six he boarded the elevator
Runs all right today, Sam" he re-
marked genially to the boy whom he
had half throttled the evening before.
He stood for moment in the en-
trance OF the building. enjoying the
sight of the crowds hurrying to their
cars, the elevated, the subway. and
the ferries. The clang and roar of
the city pleased his senses, as ves-
sci vibrates to its master tone. Nc
Carthy was feeling largely paternal
as he stepped toward the corner, for
to a great extent the destinies OF
these people were In his hands
Easy marks" was his philan.
thropic expression of this sentiment
At the corner he stopped for a car.
He glanced up at the clock at the
Metropolitan tower The bronze hand
pointed to the stroke of six. AS he
looked. the first note of the quarter
chimes rang out The car swung the
corner and headed down the street.
Mccarthy stepped forward. The
sweet chimes ceased their fourfold
phrasing. and the great bell began
its spaced and solemn booming
One!-Two!-Thr Three!-Four,-Fi
Six, Mccarthy counted. At the recol-
lection OF a crazy message from the
Unknown. he smiled. He stepped for
ward to hold up his hand at the car.
Somewhat to his surprise the car had
already stopped some twenty feet
away.
Mccarthy picked his way to the
car
Wonder you wouldn't stop at a
crossing" he growled.
Juice give out" explained the mo-
torman
Mccarthy clambered aboard and sat
down in a comfortably filled car. Up
and down the perspective of the street
could be seen other cars. also stalled.
Ten minutes slipped by; then Mala-
chi Mccarthy grew impatient. With
muttered growi he rose elbowed his
way through the strap-hangers. and
stepped to the street. A row OF idle
taxicabs stood in front of the Atlas
Building. Into the first of these
bounced Mccarthy. throwing his ad-
dress to the expectant chauffeur.
The man hoped down from his box.
threw on the coil switch and ran to
the front. He turned the engine over
the compression, but no explosion fol-
lowed. He repeated the effort dozen
times. Then, grasping the starting
handle with firmer grip. he ''whirled''
the engine-without result.
What's the matter? Can't you make
her go?" demanded Mccarthy, thrust
ing his head from the door.
will you please listen. sir. and see
m