The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-03-23
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 implanted farmhouse, big and
square, with long barns and sheds in
the rear, stood in such a 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 a 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. Every thing
in the house was ominously still. Out
of doors the chickens were - craking
about the yard and making sudden runs
mt insects.
Now low groan from the room atthe
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 a case where 1
~ Il
ful fall from that scah.old. Take care
of her rs 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 a 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: :" 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:
s. am afraid So 1t was a bad fall.
Oh! it is very hardn'
" 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 "
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 his
way TO Boston, to embark on board a
Cunard steamer for Europe. He had
remained in Wareham until the last mo-
ment, and had just time to reach the
city, if nothing DELAYED him.
" 1t can't be doner' Mrs. Morris an
swered. lit can't be done! The tele-
graph station is ten miles away. Be
fore any one could go there Charles will
have left, and once on the water moth
ing can reach him. God help us! The
first news he hears the other side the
Atlantic will break his hearth
Fred stood an instant, with his bright
glance fixed on his cOmpanion's face.
q Isn't there time to reach North
port?'' he asked.
"There's not n horse in the town
could do it." was the reply.
Fred's eyes hghtened. Thunder
bolt could" he said. quickly, and,
Mrs. Morris. l will ride him. Clara S
father shall know"
The boy started away, but he was fol
lowed and his arm caught, a Mrs. Nor
ris cried:
He will throw you! You know you
are afraid of himl You must not do it!
And you couldn't reach there"