"
When that individual appeared he looked it over and asked Paul if the
contents were all true and correct.
"They assuredly are," impatiently exclaimed Paul, "I want you to get it
off as quickly as you can," and he followed this up by several remarks
not over complimentary to their methods of doing business.
Paul then returned to the hotel where he found Andy surrounded by a
crowd to whom he was relating his adventures and giving a history of
his eccentric passenger in his own way. When they saw Paul he was an
object of the wildest curiosity. The crowd poured into the hotel after
him and invaded the dining room, so he had to remonstrate with the
landlord who unceremoniously shouldered-them out. The news of Paul's
arrival on the coast seemed to have spread with the rapidity of a
prairie fire all over Skibbereen, and people commenced gathering from
all parts of the town around the hotel. One of the gentlemen who
insisted on coming in was the superintendent of the telegraph, Mr.
Jolly. He apologized for his seeming discourtesy at the office and
assured Paul that the dispatch he had written seemed so improbable that
he could not in justice blame them for not receiving it. He proved
to be a very friendly, sociable gentleman and gave Paul all the
assistance and information he desired.
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