Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 98: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BIG GAME. 727 from the boy who had come to Unionville. He was no longer a slab-sided stripling in awkward, ill-fitting crossroads clothing, overcome by his transplanting. His body had filled out symmetrically and he held himself erect and looked at the world with level gray eyes—eyes that gave the im- pression of imperviousness just as granite does. Furthermore, his clothes were of ex- cellent material and of the latest cut. Nor was the suit he was wearing his en- tire. wardrobe; hence the necessity for a trunk.: A comiplete outfit had been made for him. by Stretcher from the newest fash- ion plates sent on especially- from the East, and Forsythe noted with not a little satis- faction that his apparel did not suffer ‘by contrast with that of the prosperous look- - ing men who were getting out of the sleep- ing cars. To the casual-observer—and his bearing ‘seemed to confirm this—John Forsythe was a successful business man, instead of a mere youngster who had’ come a the city to make his fortune. If he felt any trepidation as he passed | along the line of.importuning cab drivers, he did not show it. Nor did the strange call, “ Taxi,” cause him to -hesitate, though he felt a desire to stop and examine these ve- hicles. There were a few automobiles in Unionville, but they were regarded as toys and not anything practical. In fact, he could remember the first automobile that had come to Unionville. The Daily News had run a double leaded advance notice, and every one who could do so was on hand to greet the strange, two seated, self-pro-_ pelled machine. It had been driven alf the way from Detroit, scaring horses along the . way, and the Unionville hitching racks had. been almost uprooted. But instead of lingering and thus ex- posing his greenness, he kept on. He would have proceeded directly to the elevated, hav- ing had explicit directions as to how to get to his destination, if it had not been for his trunk. Frost, the travelifig man who had told the story of old Jonesy and thus had point- ed out to Forsythe the way to a prosperous business, had enlightened him concerning a small room out on Paulina Street obtainable for a few dollars a week, with plenty of cheap restaurants in the vicinity. The ele- vated would take him to within a block of this location for a nickel, but first he had to arrange transportation for his baggage. With further advice from Frost fixed firmly in his mind, Forsythe walked by the uniformed men near the station exit on down to those carriers whose: calling was _ proclaimed by nickel plated badges on their: caps. .Their charges were less than the regular lines, Frost had said; because they were independents and their fees were gov- erned entirely. by the amount, of business they could: get. When Forsythe stopped at last he was surrounded immediately. and brisk bargain- ‘ing ensued, but despite his skill and his best efforts he found there was a vast dif- ference between prices for baggage hauling in Unionville and Chicago. In Unionville’ the standard charge for transporting a trunk anywhere within the corporate limits was twenty-five cents, while in Chicago the best — price he couid obtain was two dollars and a half—a fact which made him wish heartily he had crowded ‘all his belongings into two suit cases, ‘All right,” he said, at last surrendering his check to an unshaven individual; “ “and Vl ride out with you.” “ Like hell you will,” was the quick re- tort. ‘ What.do you think my horse is? If you ride, it will cost you another dol- lar.” “T can go out.on “the elevated for a nickel,” replied Forsythe hotly. “Take the elevated then; you'll gain .time. Do you think I’m: after takin’ all that Jaunt for one measly trunk? If you do, you lose. I'll wait right here till I get three or four more going in that direction, and then the trip ‘ll pay me. If you want to stick around I’ll take you along for fifty cents.” Indignantly, Forsythe turned on his heel and walked toward the Loop. He might as well find his room, get everything out of the way, and be ready to look for a job the first thing Monday morming. Time was ‘money, and he could not afford to be waste- ful. As he walked along Dearborn Street COIN GC nOOKS,. EO ™