The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-08-30

III the WlnuOW. NOllc laucu cut HOWcIS
were on the desk which occupied one
corner of the apartment, and was plainly
the editors sanctum.
A lanky boy, whose close-cropped head
displayed the bumps Of obstinacy and
retIcence well developed, was lazily set
ting type at one of the two cases.
SIS the editor in!" asked Manlcy.
"No-ap," was the laconic response.
"Wherc can find him.
"Dunno."
Coming down to the Office soon!"
"No-ap."
"Why not?"
"Gone away"
"But TO day is the day for the paper,
isn't it,"
Yep"
But it isn't printed YETI"
"NO-ap."
How much more type have you to
set?"
a column.
A brilliant thought struck the Quaker
City lawyer. He would help the boy get
ont the paper and enjoy CheltOn's aston
ishmcnt. But he determined TO sound
the boy little further. So he asked, I'M
consciously adopting the latter's laconic
mcthoh.-
"All alone?"
Yep. Can't get nobody to help"
Could you get ont the paper ii you
had hand"
Guess could"
Surprising help"
If the boy was startled he did not show
it, bu; only answered, -
"All right"
Manley wasted no words. but threw off
his coat, and with his shirt sleeves rolled
up, took his station at the other case and
began on an editorial written in Cheltons
bold, manly chirOgraphy, and entitled.
The Future of the West"
After the first few minutes the old
facility came back to his fingers, and
" stickful after stickful was placed in
the form, with a rapidity that won the
respect of the assistant.
The forms were locked and put on the
press. Manley took hold of the crank
and turned the great wheel, while the
boy fed through the papers. 1t was no
child's play, turning the ponderous
wheel. pcrched as he was on dry goods
box. which swayed and creaked beneath
his weight
He had had no dinner. and this fact.
combined with the unaccustomed employ
ment, made him actually faint.
How stupid | am" he meditltcd,
"tO be turning one horse press out here
on the plains. thousand miles west of
the Mississippi River, when l would
sooner be shot than do such a thing at
home"
On went the iron machinery with its
steady "click, click" and its regular lay
ing down upon the slowly growing
pile of sheet after sheet of damp paper.
They were nearly through with their
task. and the room was beginning to grow
little d,l.ky when, suddenly, the door
of the office opened. and straight, lady
| like form entered.
She was not really beautiful. but she
had that inexprcssible charm about her
! that characterizes the Western girl, that
something that makes her selfreliant and
independent, and drags in absolute slav-
| ery the men with whom she becomes &C
quainted.
"Why. joe" she exclaimed, when she
| saw the new form at the press. who has
been helping your"
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
Manlcy.
He wanted to help, an l let him, -
replied Joe
Did you get in my editorial that l
left here?" imperiously demanded she.
yep"
Her editorial" thought Manley, tug
ging away at the wheel with logged
determination, what has she to do with
it! I'll 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 at
tempt to regain his baiance-a Crash-a
fall-a sharp. quick pain in elbow, shoul-
| der, brain-and Inconsistencies.
When he recovered, he was living in
the Office corner of the room, and n very
much frightened but very pretty young
lady was bending over him and bathing
his forhead in water He attempted to
move, but 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?'
He motioned toward his coat which
had hung on the case while he was turn
ing the press.
She comprehended, and going to it
took out his letter case and card book.
When she read the inscription on the
cards. she started back with surprise, and
! then alternately blushinp and ual;cu q