The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-03-25
THUNDERBOLT'S VICTORY.

There are still few towns in Massa-
chusetts where the railway train is never
seen and where there is no telegraph.
An unpainted farmhouse, big and
square, with long barns and sheds in
the rear, stood in such town.
1t was a day in September, as hot
and sultry as if it were midsummer. A
Doctors sulky had just driven up to the
gate and the horse stood hitched at the
post.
In the yard, lying under one of the
'elms, was boy of about thirteen. He
was thin and pale; but there was a
bright, resolute look in his eyes, that
attracted one. Fred Appleton had been
in Wareham for couple of months.
He had been sent out by his uncle,
that he might have the benefit of coun-
try air, after long and prostrating
fever.
The lads eyes were fixed on the open
door which led into the hall. Everything
in the house was ominously still. Out
of doors the chickens were 80 craking"
about the yard and making sudden runs
at insects.
Now low groan from the room at the
left of the front door made Fred start
and grow pale. His hands shut them
selves hard, with an involuntary motion.
Not another sound was heard for nearly
half an hour, and then steps approached
from within the house, and the doctor
came out on the piazza. He was fol-
lowed closely by middle-aged woman.
Neither of them appeared to notice Fred,
and both stopped at the gate.
doctor, how it?" asked Mrs. Morris,
in voice that was not steady.
bad! very bad! It's case where 1
cannot speak with hope. 1t was an aw-
full fall from that scaffold Take care
of her as l have said It's all that can
be done. 1t is heart-breaking to hear
her call for her father"
The doctor was evidently in hurry.
He jumped into his carriage and rode
away, leaving Mrs. Morris standing
there. The woman looked after him a
moment with unseeing eyes, then she
wrung her hands violently, while she
exclaimed, in a low voice: I" If Charles
had not gone! If he could only be de-
tainedr'
Fred Appleton rose, came quietly for
ward, and touched the woman's arm.
lis Clara going to dieP" he asked.
Mrs. Morris Immediately made an eff.
fort to control herself, and said:
Il am afraid so. 1t was bad fall
Oh! it is very hardr'
You just spoke about her father
Cannot word be got to him before he
goes on board the steamer" the boy
asked.
Mrs. Morris trembled. The girl ly
ing in the house was her niece and about
the same age as Fred. She was the
only child of her brother, Charles Roth
and dear as her own daughter to her
The father had gone. He was ON hi
way to Boston, to embark on board
Cunard steamer for Europe. He haC
remained in Wareham until the last mo
ment, and had just time to reach tn,
city, if nothing delayed him.
at can't be doner' Mrs. Morris an
swered. cit can't be done! The tele
graph station is ten miles away. Be
fore any one could go there Charles viii
have left, and once on the water moth
ing can reach him. God help us! Tn
first news he hears the other side tn,
Atlantic will break his hearth
Fred stood an instant, with his brigh
glance fixed on his companions face.
Isn't there time to reach North
portP' he asked.
There's not horse in the tow
could do it," was the reply.
Fred's eyes lightened. Thunder
bolt could" he said, quickly, land
Mrs. Morris, l will ride him. Clara
father shall know"
The boy started away, but he was fol
lowed and his arm caught, as Mrs. MOI
ris cried:
He will throw you'll You know yo
are afraid of him! You must not do il
And you couldn't reach there"
There's chance of my doing il
isn't there?" he turned back to ask.
"Just chance"
And no time to loser' cried Fred
as lie bounded toward the barn.
1t is true that Fred was afraid c
Thunderbolt, for the colt had kicke,
him when he had first come to the farm
and Fred had naturally felt little tim
i'll afterward, for his health had nc
been robust enough to enable him {
overcome fear as he otherwise woul
have done.
When the boy entered the barn,
shrill whinny greeted him, and a long
black head, with big, Withholding eyes
was turned toward him from one of tn
stalls.
Fred, as he had said, had no time {
lose. He could not stop to think wheth
er he wanted to 90 in the stall or moi
He stepped in quickly, with the bridl
on his arm, and in two minutes NOR