The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-01-13
THUNDERBOLT'S VICTORY

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 farm house, big and square, with long barns and sheds ID the rear, stood in such town.
 It was day in September, as hot and sultry as if it were midsummer. A doc tors sulky had driven up to the gate, and the horse stood hitched to the post
 In the yard, lying under one of the elms, was boy about thirteen. He was thin and pale but there was bright, resolute look m his eyes that attracted one. Fred. Appleton had been in Warn ham for couple of months. lie had tbeen sent out by his uncle, that he might have the beneft of the country air, after long and prosirating 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 +.elaek- ing' about the yard. and making sudden runs at insects.
 Now a low groan from the room at the tCtk Ot tIOTt GDVi iCQ- Ststi and grow pale. Ills hands shut them selves hard with involuntary motion. Not another sound sss heard for nearly an hour, and then steps approached from within the house, and then the doc tor came out on the piazza. He was fol- lowed closely by a middle aged woman. Neither of them appeared to notice Fred. and both stopped al the-gate.
 Doctor, how is :" asked Mrs. Nor ris. in voice that was not steady.
 Bad. very bad. It's case where cannot speak with hope. It was an aw ful fall from a scaffold. Take care of her as Fhave said. It's all that can be done.-lti IS heart-breaking to hear her call 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, when she wrung her hands, violently, while she exclaimed in a low voice: If Charles had not gone :. If he only could be detained
 Fred. Appleton rose, came quietly for ward. and touched the woman's arm.
 ''is Clara going to die !'' he asked.
 
 it is very hard.
 Can not word be got to him before he goes on board the steamer ?' the boy asked.
 Mrs. Morris trembled. The girl lying 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 Cunard steamer for Europe. He had remained in Warnham until the last momen, and had just time 10 reach the city if nothing delayed him.
 ssIt can't be done." Mrs. Morris an- swerei. "It can't be done. The ,ele- graph station is ten miles away. Before any one could go there Charles would have left, and once on the water nothing can reach him. God help us. The first news he hears on the other side of the Atlantic will break his hear."
 Fred. stood an instant. with his bright glance fixed upon his companion's face.
 "Isn't there time to reach Northport r he asked.
 There is no horse in town could do it." was the reply.
 Fred's eyes lighted up. Thunder bolt could" he said quickly, and Mrs. Morris, will ride him. Clara's father shall know"
 The boy started away, but he was fol- lowed and his arms caught, as Mrs. Nor ris cried:
 ..He will throw you You know you are afraid of Jim. You must not do it ]! And you couldn't reach there"
 There's a chance of my doing it, isn't there ?' he turned back 10 ask.
 lust chance"
 SAnd no time to lose." cried Fred, as he bounded toward the barn.
 It was true that Fred was afraid of Thunderbclt, for the colt had kicked him when he had first come to the farm, and Fred had naturally felt little timid after ward, for his health had not been robust enough to enable him to overcome fear as he otherwise would have done
 When the boy entered the barn, a shriH whinny greeted him, and long black head, with big, wild looking eyes, was turned toward him from one of the stalls.
 Fred, as he had said, had no time to lose. He could not stop to think wheth- e he wished te go in the stall or not. He stepped in quickly, with the bridle on his