The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-10-04


II sss one Of those drsary evenings u
which Piibbersers are accustomed dnrins
the early spfins mouths A cold. dfiE'
ding rain msde tho quite deserted streets
more ehesriess. The Wind whisiicd
around The corners. ratified the windows
forcing its ssy through cracks and cre,-
Ices. spd sendine shudder TO ibe beara
OF uphoused humsuily.
At bic desk In the editorial rooms II !
daily newspspcr. the city editor eat hefors
pile Of copy that lay thereon. waiting ts
he shared Tor tue priaisrs. The ofiics
clock struck seven. and. as iis dull clsps
died awsy, the door opened and the man
aging editor came 10 hurrisjly
There's been = tremendous explosion
u the gas felds.' be said. "Some one
must 60 out there Ai once. Whom csu
you send
The city editor dropped his pencil aud
sprsng from bis seat "All my men arr
out, ~ answered. There isn't one ol
them that I eas reach nov. unless yea.
there 10. too--young Talbot, the new man,
has Just started for the Monopgahels
house 70 report banquet ] can reach
him BY telephone. /"
"But be won't do. Why. man, a whole
town has been blown to pieces, half a
dozen people have been killed and twice
"a many hurt; it'll take man OF nerve TO
do the work we want tonight. The gas
fields are twenty five miles away; 1t is
late and the roads must be awful. What
could your new man do under such con
diiions 7"
swell. hes our only help. I'll trust
him."
Five minutes later, in response 10 tel.
sphons call, Talbot rushed into the pres
snce Of bis superior. He was frail young
fellow OF about 20; but he had clear
blue eye and an honest face. Frsnkness
showed 10 every expression that fitted
over il.
The situation was explained to him. and
the vital importance OF the mission vivid
ly outlined.
"Now, my, boy, you have before You
the opportunity Of your life. II you sue
cced. your position is assured. II you
fail, II will effect your standing forever.
/ only ask that you do your best. ln 6f-
teen minutes train will leave Union sta
tion. II will take you sixteen miles Of the
way. You will then have eight miles to
ride across the country 10 buggy. You
have no time to lose"
Talbot's face was pale and his lips we're
set with firmness that meant success as
he took his chief by the hand and hurried
away. Out into the cold be ran; through
the soggy streets with but one thought.
one object in view. until At last he reached
The depot aud dropped into seat 10 the
train just - the engine started. 1t was
almost nine o'clock when be reached the
little way station whence be was TO strike
across country. The little town was al.
most asleep. A half dozen or so Of village
oilers still stood about under cover OF the
postoflice awning, however, and TO them
he young reporter applied for iniorma-
ion.
''Osn you tell me whero can find .
livery stable ?" he asked, addressing one
Of the group.
"You cant find no livery stable no.
where bout these parts, the man answer.
ID dosgedly. Il reckon ye want horse,
70 might get il up TO DR.. Smiths, just
Iround the corner there.
DR.. Smith was 10 horsid temper at the
harp demand that summoned him out OF
lie slumber, which augured i'll for those
ordinarily reused him by late professional
'slls. He was rsspy with III nstured dis
Iust.
"Want buggy to 60 to the explosion.
10 ye ?" he snapped. after he bad recover.
"A from bis surprise. and the explanation
lad been explained TO him. "Well. boy,
o can't have it, There amt horse liv
ns that could pull buggy over those
osds tonight"
''Bnt must have II. l."
.Oh. you must must you I? Allow me
o say. sir. that must 10 very tall word.
But say. s'pose you wait minute" he
all, seeing the look Of keen anxiety on
he boys face. "Ill tell you what
night do; might let you have saddle
lorse. bnt I'd have to send guide along
a another horse 10 show You the road
vsnt to Try IL that way ?"
IN try anyway. Get the horses ready
uick."
Who can describe that ride ? The horses
'ers stroog ard fresh, but the rain and
aud combined vas almost too much for
hem. A half hour vas consumed in 60
,g the hfst two miles, and the roads be.
sme more miry u every rod. The rain
81 ceased 70 fall. but the Wind vas grow.
'g colder aud more cutting. The riiers
ere chilled through. The colored boy
no had been sent along as guide declsr-
| doz 50 times that II vas ! impossible TO
, farther without stopping At farm
ouss 10 rest the horses, but Tslbot's only
,swer vas command TO use the whip ,
ID push on faster. The horses. nov mp
their kpess 10 slimy clay; nov found I
'ing In pool Of muddy water. struggled !
, bravsly Once the leader fell and the :
,Iofed boy vas thrown hesdforemoss 10
the sntler. He emerged like mud {
N, and declared that be would not 60 I
,otber step. Talbot vH provoked. but q