Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-08-21
CHAPTER V.
ROB MARCHES TO HIS FATE.

On the morning before Christmas a
murder was committed in SilcheSter,
and in murders there is Lineage" As
q consequence the head reporter attends
10 them himself. In the Mirror Office
the diary for the day was quickly alt
cred. kirker set off cheerfully for the
scene Of the crime, leaving the banquet
IN the Henry Institute TO TomlinSon,
who passed on his dinner at Dome Cas-
tie 10 Rob, whose church decorations
were taken up by John Milton.
Christmas Eve was coming on in snow
when Rob and Walsh, of the Argus, set
out for Dome Castle. Rob GiSliked do
/ ing dinners at any time, partly because
he had not a dress suit. The dinner
was an annual one given by Wits
father % his tenants and reporters were
asked because the Colonel made a
speech. His neghbors, when they did
likewise, sent reports OF their own
speeches (which they seemed TO like)
to the papers; and some OF them, having
called themselves eloquent and justly
popular, scored the compliments out,
yet in such a way that the editor would
still be able to read them and print
them il he thought fit. Rob did not
look forward TO Col. Abinger's recep-
tiOn OF him, for they had met some
months before and called each other
names.
IL was one day soon after Rob reached
Silchester. He had gone fishing In
the Dome and climbed unconsciOuSly
into the preserved waters. As his creel
grew heavier his back Strengthened; not
until he returned home did the scenery
Impress him. He had just struck a
fine fish, when a sOldierly-looking man
at the top of the steep bank caught
sight Of him.
"Hie, you, sir" shouted the onlooker.
Whir went the line-there is no music
like it. Rob was knee deep in water.
"You fellow" cried the other, brand
iShing his cane, "are you aware that
this water is preserved" Rob had no
time for talk. The Colonel sought TO
attract his attention by flinging peb-
be Don't do that" cried Rob,
fercely.
Away darSed the fish. Away darted
Rob after 10. Col. AbinGer's face was
red as he climbed down the bank. Il
shall prosecute you, he shouted. Hes
gone to the bottom; fling in stone"
cried Rob. Just then the fish showed
it's yellow belly and darted of again.
Rob let out more line. "No, no, :"
shouted the Colonel, who tished himself,
you lose him if be gets TO the other
side; strike, man, strike." The line
frightened, the rod bent-a glorious
sight. Force him upstream" cried
the Colonel, rolling over some powders
to assist. Now you have him. Bring
him in. Where is your landing-net?"
Il haven't one" cried Rob; take him
in your hands" The Colonel
stopped TO grasp the fish and
missed &c. "Bungler~ screamed Rob.
This was too much. "Giye me your
name aad address," said Colonel Adm
ger. rising 70 his feet; 'you are a
poacher." Rob paid no attention. There
was a struggle. Rob did not realize
that he had pushed his aSSailant over
rock until the fish landed. Then he
aDologized, offered all his fish in lieu Of
his name and address, retired cOolly so
long as the furious soldier was in sight,
and IS soon IS he turned A corner rap
idly disappeared. He could not feel that
this was the best introduction TO the
man with whom he was now on his way
70 dine.
The reporter whose long strides made
Walsh trot as they hurried to Dome
Castle was not quite the Rob OF three
months before. Now he knew how
third-rate newspaper is conducted and
the capacity for wonder had gone FROM
him. He was in danger Of thinking
that the journalistic art is to write read
ably, authoritatiyely and always in three
paragraphs on a subject he knows moth
ING about. Rob had written many lead
erS, and followed readers through the
streets wondering II they liked them.
Once he had gone with three others TO
report a bishops sermon. A curate ap-
peared instead, and when the reporters
saw him they shut their notebooks anu
marched blandly out Of the cathedral.
A public speaker had tried to bribe
Rob with two half-crOwns, and 1t is still
told in Slichester how the
wrathful Scotsman tore his benefac-
Tor out OF the carriage he had just
stepped into, and, lifting him on high,
looked around to consider against
which stone wall be should hurl him.
He had discovered that on the first Of
the month Mr.. Licquorish could not
help respecting his staff, because on
that day be paid them. Socially, Rob