Mark looked around and said, “Shucks. Did it break down again? Sure looks the same to me.”
Shirley saw the small differences and assured him that it worked. She shivered and said as she looked out the window, “Take a look at the snow. You can see that a few of the streets are open.”
They joined her and Bill said, “I’m going down to the basement and start the boiler up.” He left the room and once in the basement loaded coal into the open chamber and lit it. He opened the water valves and listened as the water flowed through the system then went back up to the den.
Shirley had started a fire and stood close to it as Mark put away the food Matt had supplied. Soon Mark had a cup of tea ready for the three of them.
“Mark,” said Bill as he touched a radiator, “I suggest that you sleep here at least for tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be back to check on the furnace and remove the ashes.”
“Good sound advice, my friend and I do have my books to keep me company. Now, why don’t you two scoot on out of here and get some rest yourselves?”
Bill stood and offered his hand, “Mark Twain, it was my pleasure meeting you. And, my friend I promise that we shall meet again.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Bill and I sure do hope ta see you, Shirley and Matt again. I thank ya kindly for taking care of this old scribe.”
Shirley hugged him and added, “I’m going to make sure that he visits you and brings me along as well.” She gave him a kiss on his cheek and he blushed.
The couple went out the door at the rear of the den and once at the bottom of the staircase Bill entered SAMSON followed by JULY 2, 2016 7:35 P.M. into his TFM. He gently felt the two diamonds he brought along just in case and then pressed the activate button.
DATELINE: JULY 2, 2016 7:35 P.M. PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY
Back in the den the two enjoyed a bottle of wine before the roaring fireplace. Samson found that he couldn’t fit in the space between them so settled for the end of the couch.
“Bill, as much as I hate to say this, I must. Tomorrow I have to leave for London. I have a talk to give at the Women’s Voting Rights and must show up.”
Bill was silent for a moment or two then said, “Soon you and I will be one with a home here and in London as well. We’ll purchase the London home in your time and of course we have this building so that no matter what the year is we’ll be together.”
That night Samson slept in the middle of his master’s bed as the giggling couple on the floor between the bed and fireplace kept him awake.
DATELINE: APRIL 6, 1888 PLACE: 14 TH STREET PIER, NEW YORK CITY
Once again Matt had used his influence to purchase a first class ticket aboard the R.M.S. Aurania, cabin 116 and Bill and Shirley embraced for as long as they could. As usual the blast of the ship’s whistle finally separated them and he had to dash down the gangway before they pulled it away.
Bill hopped a carriage and went back to the club. He was already dressed for the right time so he simply took his TFM and entered his password followed by, MARCH 16, 1888, 12:00 P.M. and pressed the activate button.
DATELINE: MARCH 16, 1888 12:00 P.M. PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY
He went up the stairs and knocked on the den’s door before opening it. There was a note addressed to him on the coffee table. It read, Dear Bill. I left at nine o’clock March 16, 1888 as the streets were passable and if you are reading this letter I made it to my hotel. Please don’t be a stranger to these times as to me they seem to be the best of times and you, Shirley and Matt are in there with my best of friends. Write anytime you wish and perhaps we’ll have another evening at Paddy Diamonds . . . Heck, now that I know of the place I’ll be in there many a night and will hold an empty stool for you. Your good friend, Samuel Clemens.
Bill smiled and gently folded the letter before putting it in his jacket pocket. He was dressed for the snow this time and went down to the first floor. He opened the front door and greeted with a clear blue sky. He was about to start shoveling when two young boys walked by and called out, “Mister! Shovel your steps for fifty cents?”
“How about you shovel it for five dollars?”
They were on the steps in a flash. As they shoveled he followed the path made by people as they walked to and from the now open grocery stores. Staying away from the fifteen foot high drifts the time traveler walked over to the small diner and slid into one of the booths. A waiter came over and asked, “What can I get you, sir?”
“Just a coffee and a slice of apple pie, please.” The waiter walked away and Bill turned his attention to the snow filled street. He counted eight large wagons each pulled by six horses go by. A seventh one stopped and five men climbed down each with a shovel. They began to shovel the snow and toss it into the wagon. It looked like an all day job. Closer to the diner a group of children began playing on the high mounds of snow and soon were sliding down them on their sleighs. New York City was returning to normal again.
The waiter returned and after placing the coffee and pie on the table asked, “Excuse me but aren’t you the fellow who owns the building across the street?”
“Yes. Do I know you?”
“That’s the problem with that uniform. Once you’re out of it nobody recognizes you anymore.”
“You’re the policeman!”
“Yes. How did you make out in the storm?”
Bill shrugged, “Not bad. And yourself?”
“It was a tough one. Lots of people have frostbite or worse.” He wiped his hands on his apron, “I worked around the clock and when I finally got home I found my wife and little boy huddled under the blankets in our bed. The coal had run out and the apartment was freezing.”
“That’s a tough one. And you work here too?”
“Got to make ends meet so I work here whenever I can.”
Bill thought a moment and then said as he offered his hand, “I’m Bill Scott.”
They shook hands as the man replied, “Tom Sullivan. Nice to meet you, Bill.”
“Same here. Now let me ask; would you like to work for me?”
“Me? What would I be doing?”
“What time do you get off here?”
“In an hour.”
“Walk across the street and I’ll show you. Okay?”
“Okay, see you in an hour.”
An hour later the two men sat in Bill’s den. “Are you familiar with a coal burning furnace?”
“Sure.”
“Here’s what I’m proposing. I’m away for months at a time and I need someone I can trust to watch the building. If you take the job you and your family can live here free of charge.”
“Free? What’s the catch?”
“The catch is that you will keep the heat going in the winter and make sure the ashes are out for the trash. I’ll give you an allowance for coal, supplies and repairs and a gardener that you hire for me.”
“Those chores are pretty much what I do now in my apartment.”
“Exactly! Is fifty dollars a month a good start?”
Tom was stunned as it was much more than he made as a policeman. “Do I have to give up my job on the police force?”
“No. I know that if you and your family live here you’re going to make sure everything is going good. Right?”
“Right you are, Bill.”
Bill handed him the keys and they shook hands again.”
Tom left and Bill went down the stone steps. Once at the heavy security door he took out his TFM and entered SAMSON followed by JULY 3, 2016 12:00 P.M. and then pressed the activate button.
DATELINE: JULY 3, 2016 PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY
The time traveler went back up the steps and opened the door to his den. As he entered Matt greeted him with a serving tray that held a Donald Duck mug of hot chocolate and two round black and white cookies. Samson slid off of the soft leather couch and trotted over to sniff the goodies. Bill scratched the beagle’s head and gave him a part of the vanilla side of the cookie and said, �
�All we need now is a new mission and we are back to normal.” There was a knock at the door in the rear of the den and Bill looked at his beagle, “Be careful of what you wish for . . . “
Book 15 Coming Soon
Author’s Note
The end is usually very apparent in a story, be it a book or movie. However, in this case, although it is the end page-wise, it continues on in The 1800 Club. You see, The 1800 Club does exist in New York City, though, under a different name and address. I, Bill Scott, also exist as President and owner of the club, and the people I wrote of, all exist. Some of their names have been changed, as they do have a life outside of the club, and they and the club must be protected.
By now you are thinking, “This is a put-on, there is no club that can travel in time.” But, I ask you to look around. Isn’t history the same as you read it in your history books? Believe me the club is working to keep it so. You the reader may ask, “Why is he admitting this?” To that I answer, “Why not?” Sometimes the best place to hide something is right out in plain sight! So, while admitting the club exists, the secret is as safe as saying it doesn’t exist.
I intended to continue this narrative and tell you about some of the other missions the club has worked on, however, I have to interrupt this book at this point because I’ve just been alerted that there is a problem going on right now. I do intend to document it and others as they occur, in the next book, ‘Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club. Book 15.’
B.S.
Note from Robert P. McAuley
After each adventure in time, President Bill Scott dictates to me what occurred so I can write them down for posterity. He told me that at this moment there are more stories on hand and, as time goes on, who knows how many more there will be after that? He informed me that I might let our readers know that Book 15 is being worked on right now. We both hope you find the time to read them.
Regards, Robert P. McAuley
Other books by Robert P. McAuley
Sky Ship
Romance in a Ghost Town
Vampire’s Bloodline
Aviation, Facts & Rumors Book 1
Aviation, Facts & Rumors Book II
The Dripping Sands Of Time
A New Jersey Yankee In King Arthur’s Court
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book I FREE!
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 2
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 3
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 4
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 5
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 6
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 7
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 8
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 9
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 10
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 11
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 12
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 13
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book 14
Time Travel Adventures of the 1800 Club, Book 14 Page 21
