Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-06-26

"No-ap."
"Why not?'
GONE away"
But to-day is the day for the paper,
isn't it2"
Yep"
but II isn't printed yet2"
"No-ap"
'How much more type have you to
set9"
"a column"
A brilliant thought struck the Quaker
City lawyer. He would help the boy
get out the paper and enjoy Chelton's
astonishment But he determined to
sound the boy little further, SO he
asked unconsciously adopting the lat
ter's laconic method;
"All alone?'
"Yep. Can't get nobody to help"
Gould you get out the paper II you
had a hand2'
Guess could,'
"Supposing help?'
If the boy was startled he did not show
it, but only answered:
"All right
off his coat, and with his shirt sleeves
rolled up, took his station at tho other
case and began on an editorial written
in Chelton's bold, manly chirography
and entitled: THE Future OF the West
After the first few minutes the old
facility came back 20 his fingers, and
''stickfuln after stickful was placed in
the form with rapidity that won the
respect of the assistant
Tho forms were locked and put on
the press. Manley took hold of tho
crank and turned the groat wheel
while the boy fed through the papers.
II was no child's play, turning the
ponderous wheel, perched as he was on
a topping dry-goods box, which swayed
and creaked beneath his weight
He had had no dinner, and this fact,
combined with the unaccustomed en-
ployment, made him actually faint
What a fool am, he meditated. .to
be turning a one-horse press out here
on the plains, thousand miles west of
the Mississippi river when would
sooner be shot than do such thing at
home.
On went the iron machinery with its
steady "click, click and its regular
laying down upon tho slowly-growing
pile of sheet after sheet of damp paper
They were nearly through with their
task, and the room was beginning to
grow a little dusky when, suddenly, the
door OF the Office opened, and straight
lady-like form entered.
She was not really beautiful, but she
had that inexpressible charm about her
that characterizes tho Western girl,
that something that makes her self-re-
liant and independent, and drags in alb
solute slavery the men with whom she
becomes acquainted
"Why. joe she exclaimed, when
she saw the new form at the press,
who has been helping you?"
"a man wot come in, was the Office
boys laconic answer
"Why didn't you wait for me?'
what business OF hers Is it?"
thought Manley
"He wanted to help, an let him.
replied Joe
Did you get in my editorial that /
left here?' imperiously demanded she
Yep"
Her editorial" thought Manley, tug
ging away at the wheel with dogged
determination, what has she TO do
with it? ri give this old thing few
more whirls, and then
His mental sentence was never fin
ished There was cracking OF the
box beneath him-a swaying motion
an attempt 10 regain his balance-a
crash-a fall-a sharp, quick pain in
elbow, shoulder, brain-and uncon-
seriousness.
When he recovered, he was lying in
the office corner Of the room, and very
much frightened but very pretty young
lady was bending over him and bathing
his forehead in water He attempted
TO move, but a twinge in his arm
warned him that he must not
Il have sent for Doctor said the
lady "Will you give me your name,
please. so that can tell him?n
He motioned toward his coat which
had hung on the case while he was turn
ing the press
She comprehended, and going TO IL
took out his letter case and card book.
When she read the inscription on his
cards, she started back with surprise,
and then, alternately blushing and PAL
ing as IL guilty of some crime. returned
to his side.
Not the president OF tho Boomtown
Syndicate2- she stammered.
The s1me. And you2" he whispered
For an answer she reached 20 the
desk and holding before his eyes a copy
Of the Boomtown Herald, a copy which
he had few moments before been
grinding through the press pointed to
the head Of the first column He read:
"A c. CHELToN-Editorn
There was no more time for conver-
sation; the physician had arrived.
How did this happen2r he asked.
with a profound bow TO the lady. a bow |
eloquent with suggestions Of such !
cpithets as ''courtly, accomplished. = /.
etc, 20 be applied 10 him in future |
references in local items.
''Iie was standing by the press. when 4
the box upon which he was gave way,
aud he fell ln the fall his arm caurht 1
in the press and was wrenchcd.~ was /
The doctor took hold Of the arm. gave /
IL tWist-aud Manley dropped OF into
Inconsistencies again.
II was something Of a nine-days' won I
der In Boomfown-the nine days during I
which The stranger lay in his room in /
tho hotel, nursing a broken arm. and /
building upa system which had given /
way under the strain Of several months /
hard work. ending with the long joar- I
ney and the events Of the afternoon Of /
his arrival.
His first call. when he was able to
leave the hotel. was At the Herald Office. i
The same little lady who had startled |
him before was sitting At the desk.
After some preliminary congratula-
tions had been disposed Of. he felt de-
cidcd embarrassment in carrying on the
At last be blurted out. /
with characteristic bluntness.
Are vou the editor?~
''Didnt tell gou so7- she replied.
with a tainkle in her eTes