The Portland daily press., 1888-09-28
The HERO OF rHEPENcIL
BY W. S. POWER.
tPittsburg Bullet

twas one of those dreary evenings to
which Pittsburgers are accustomed during
the early spring months. A cold, drilling
rain made the quite deserted streets more
cherries. The wind whistled around the
corners, ratified the windows forcing its way
through cracks and creyices, and sending
shudder to the heart of unhoused humani,y ~.
AT his desk in the editorial rooms Of
daily newspaper, the city editor sat before
the pile of copy that lay thereon, waiting to
be shaped for the printers. The office clock
struck Z, and, as its dull clang died away,
the door opened and the managing editor
came in hurriedly.
There's been tremendous explosion at
the gas fields" he said. ''Some one must go
out there at once. Whom can you send?"
The city editor dropped his pencil and
sprang from his seat. All my men are out"
he answered. "There isn't one of them that
can reach now, unless-yes, there is, too
young Talbot, the new man, has just started
for the Monongahela house to report ban
quet / can reach him by telephone"
"But he won't do. Why, man, q whole
town has been blown to pieces, half dozen
people have been killed and twice as many
hurt it'll take a man of nerve to do the
work we want tonight. The gas fields are
twenty-five miles away, it is late and the
roads must be awful. What could your new
man do under such conditions?'
swell, he's our only hope. I'll trust
him."
Five minutes later, in response to tele-
phone call, Talbot rushed into the presence
of his superior. He was frail young fellow
~ OH hut hah had ala "A
an honest face Frankness showed in every
expression that fitted over it.
The situation was explained to him, and
the vital Importance of theImission wildly
outlined. Then the city editor said:
snow, my boy. you have before you the OPP
portunity of your life. If you succeed. your
position is assured. If you fail, it will affect
your standing forever. l only ask that you
do your best. In fifteen minutes train will
leave Union station. twill take You six
teen miles of the way. You will then have
eight miles to ride across. the country in a
buggy. You have no time to lose"
Trlbot's face was pale and his lips were
set with firmness that meant success as he
took his chief by the hand and hurried
away Out into the cold he rushed; through
the soggy streets, with but one thought one
object in view, until at last he reached the
depot and dropped into seat in the train
just as the engine started.
1t was almost o'clock when he reached
the little way station whence he was to
strike out across the country. The little
town was almost asleep. A half dozen or so
of village idlers still stood about under cover
Of the postofice awning, however, and to
fhnr A1Rn Il e. IT,
nation.
''Can you tell me where can find livery
stable% he asked, addressing one of the
group.
''You can't find no livery stable nowhere
bout :these parts" the man answered, dog
gedly. 81 reckon if We want horse, We
might get it up to DR.. Smiths jist round the
road there"
DR.. Smith was in horrid temper at the
sharp demand that summoned him out of his
slumber, which augured i'll for those who or
dinarily reused him by late professional
calls. Heswas.EraspyIwith ill-natured dis
gust
want buggy to go to the explosion, do
yep" he snapped, after he had recovered
from his surprise, and the situation had been
explained to him. swell, boy, We can't have
it. There amt horse living could pull
buggy over those roads tonight"
"But l must have it. l."
'Oh, you must, must you? Allow me to
say, sir, that must is very tall word But
say, s'pose you wait minute" he contin-
ued, seeing the look of keen anxiety upon
the boys face SRI tell you what l might
do; might let you have saddle horse, but
I'd hev to send guide along on an another
horse to show ySu the road. Like to try it
that way?"
I'll try it any way. Get the horses ready
quick"
Who can describe that ride? The horses
were strong and fresh, but the rain and mud
combined were almost too much for them.
A half hour was consumed in going the first
two miles, and the roads became more miry
at every rod. The rain had ceased to fall,
but the wind was growing colder and more
cutting The riders were chilled through.
The colored boy who had been sent along as
guide declared dozen times that it was i'm
possible to go further without stopping at
farm house to rest the horses, but Talbot's
only answer was command to use the whip
and push on faster. The horses, now up to
their knees in Shiny clay; now laundering
in pool of muddy water, struggled on
bravely. Once the leader fell, and the col
Ored boy was thrown headforemost into the
gutter. He emerged like mud-ball, and de-
clared that he would not go another step.
Talbot was provoked, but the city editors
words: "If you fail it win affect your stand
ing forever" rang in his ears and urged him
forward.
Look here, boy" he said to the guide,
who sat on a fence-rail endeavoring to dig
the mud out of his eyes, we've got to go
ahead, no matter what turns up, and we're
going, too-do you hear? Now, if you stick
to me, I'll give you dollar extra; If you
DON'T I'll take both horses and leave you to
get back the best way you can. What are
you going to do? Talk quickly"
"Gimme de dollah now"
"I'll give you the dollar when we get
through. Get on the horse, quickly, if you
are coming"
The guide didn't hesitate longer. He
scrambled back into his saddle, and without
saying a word resumed the journey. For
quarter of an hour not word was spoken.
The guide was sulleR and inclined to be re-
bellious, but Talbot was too much engrossed
IN his purpose of getting ahead as fast as
possible to think of saying more than was
necessary
Presently the leading horse stopped so
suddenly as to nearly throw his rider. over
his head, Before him was a creek, swollen
TO ten times its normal size by the rains.
Inc little bridge that spanned it had been
washed away, and the turbulent current now
neid mad possession of the road. Talbot's
iace paled as he saw the food But it was
only Tor an instant that he hesitated. Whip
ping his horse. he plunged into the stream
Inc poor animal was off his feet in mo-
ment, but it swan well, and before its rider
ialrly realized the danger, the other bank