The Adventures of Uncle Jeremiah and Family at the Great Fair, page 9 by Charles McCellan Stevens
<< Return to Title Details & Download10
. Best place in the city. Take you right there free of cost."
"But how high is it?"
"Only one dollar a day apiece and up as high as you want to go."
"Ah, that's it, young man. I see your mother taught you United States. You see the baggage man said fourteen stories and I didn't understand the city way of charging."
"Shall I book you?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"O we may stay a month. May be less."
"Say two weeks."
"All right."
"Here's your ticket with coupons. Fifty-six dollars please."
"But I haven't seen the place nor got the money's worth. I'm Deacon Jones and I always pay my debts."
"No difference, it's the rules."
"Mr. Moses said not to deal only with responsible officers. How may I be sure you are a responsible officer?"
"I'll prove it by the conductor."
The conductor was called and Uncle Jeremiah paid over his money and received his printed directions.
"Where are your baggage checks?"
"O, I've already attended to that. I'll see to that myself."
The hotel agent left and the two young men across the aisle watched with satisfaction as Uncle folded his big roll of bills and deposited them in his left trouser's pocket.
"There it is--there is the White City," some one yelled, and the people rose from their seats and looked at the most favored spot of the earth as long as it could be seen. Houses flew by, stations were passed; the placid lake, flecked with many boats, lapped the shore as with some friendly greeting. The great buildings of Chicago's business center appeared in view, and the end of their journey was near at hand.
"Chicago, all out!"
"Listen at 'em," said Uncle, "they've got our money and now they're goin' to put us off. But I guess we must be there."
[Illustration: "UNCLE WAS BEING ROUGHLY HANDLED BY THE TWO MEN."]
All the people were standing as the magic words were yelled in at the front door by