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

hillA dozen viilins hands relieved him oi
bis burden. and. without stopping for
es plarstioos or thanks, Talbot turned
from the place aud ran like deer 10 where
the horses we're standing More than .
quarter Of an hour Of precious time had
been lost 10 bis work Of mercy. and nov
il seemed that nothing but miricle could
get him over those terrible six miles 10 the
time |, commanded. The guide was slcep
ing on a pile Of straw when he reached
the shed. A vigorous shake brought him
10 bis senses.
Yer doAn' eit dis uisger on dat horse
DO mo ternight, boss. he growlej, rub
bng the sleepiness out OF his eyes with
his kuuckles. Reckon know when Use
had 'nough. an tole yer right here !
aio': agoin'."
"You must 60. II you don't I'll break
you iu two Do you hear me q
Talbot raised bis whip ~ be spoke, aud
The nesro. seeing the look Of unninching
determination 10 his eyoa. turned With :
essss ara slinbsd intolths saddle A lew
moments later tho tired animals were
again Aoundering over the rocky roads.
A mile out the horse which Talbot was
riding fell. II was utterly exhausted
The other was quite Is far gone, and could
not cover more than half mile more at
the fArthest
II tols yer IL wsrn't no use," the guide
exclaimed, with triumph 10 his voice.
"You'se done killed dc hosses, boss. and
ain't done no good nohow."
Talbot didn't stop to argue. "You take
care OF the horses" be said.
Without waiting for an answer. he threw
bis wet aud heavy overcoat across the sad
de and started of on foot at brisk trot.
Il used TO think that being raised iu
the country was disadvantage" he NUT
tered to himself ~ he picked his way
along the edge Of the road. "But rath
er guess my backwoods training will help
me out on this run"
But it WAS hard travelling even for n
country boy and before the first mile was
covered the mud which accumulated on
bis feet and legs at every step was as
heavy as lead. AT one place q massive
oak tree that had been blown dov lay 10
such position as TO completely block the
road, and the young traveller was forced
to make detour through field. Again
q landslide barred his passage. Still, iu
the face Of oil difficulties be struggled on.
Two miles were passed. His step was
commencing to lag. II seemed impossible
that be conld go further. but when bis
weary limbs prompted him TO stop he
clinched his teeth aud renewed his efforts.
Up and down, through woods aud across
fields, now up to bis knees 10 water. now
tripping aud sprawling at full length in
tue slimy mud. or rolling over an unex
pected embankment, he forced his way,
until at last. just as his brain was com.
mencing 10 reel. light not more than q
quarter Of mile ahead sent thrill to his
heart. He gathered all his strength for
final effort, and bounded forward. Five
minutes later be burst into the telegraph |
Office and before the startled operator
had time to think dropped into q chair
aud grasped pad OF blanks.
"I-want- send-press = message" he
gasped without waiting to answer ques
tions regarding bis appearance. "Thous
and words at least"
As he spoke his nervous hand was writ.
ing with rspidity that could not have
been attained under normal circumstances.
The FIRST page was finished, and the oper-
ator cor menced work. He tried to keep
up with the writer. but he couldn't. The
written sheets piled mp before him with
rapidity. Eight hundred, a
twelve hundred words. and still
here was no prospect Of an end. In plac
,s IL could scarcely be deciphered. Once
he writer's head fell forward on his hand,
out be forced it back again and continued
,is work.
Fifteen hundred words Thank
heaven he's slowing up" the operator eK
'lAimed. "Jove, he's stopped altogether.
He looked over bis ehoulder. Talbols
lead was resting on his hands.
Hes sleeping. III let him alone until
catch up Then the click. cliok Of the
nstr ument started sgain, and for quartz
i an hour the operator worded on in Il
ence. Then be got up to get the page II
opy which lay under the writer's hand.
ie raised his head. The pencil was still
'eld firmly in the fingers which had guid- ,
a it. The point was resting on the word
Thirty" which indicated that the story
10 ended. The operator pulled the page
wsy. Az be did 80 the reporters head
oil back. The eyes we're glassy and star
ng. the lips 6ercely compressed. tho face
oloslsss. Tslbot's work Vas completed.
is honor was preserved, but he vas
ssd
His StsrsotyPsd Love Phrases