Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-12-28
A REPORTERS CHRISTMAS.

1t was the night before Christmas and
! the streets were thronged with people
hurrying hither and thither, their arms
laden with bundles for the loved ones
at home, their faces beaming with
smiles as they thought of the JOY and
pleasure the morrow would bring. But
what did all this matter to Billy Ken
nedy as he impetuously rushed across
| crowded thoroughfare, and drawing his
coat closer around him, darted down q
side street towards his Office to prepare
for long nights work.
The coming of Christmas brought no
comfort to his soul, for Billy was night
police reporter on one of the large
| metropolitan dailies and a holiday
meant an unusually hard nights work
for him. Furthermore be was the sole
support of a widowed mother, and for
| ever a year it had been hard struggle,
| for the mother he loved so well had
| been sick for several months and he had
| been compelled to deny himself even
| the actual necessities of lite to provide
medicine and delicacies for the sick
woman. 1t is not to be wondered that
| his heart was heavy as he tramped up
| the long, dark stairway to the local room
| to receive his instructions for the night.
'Get a good, first-rage local story to-
night, if you can, Billy" was the last
! injunction of the city editor as Billy
went forth again into the night air, the
wind biting with chilling keenness
through his well-worn garments.
The weary routine OF they early night
was almost finished. Every channel in
which an item of news might be lurking
was carefully traversed and all the
| police stations in his district had been
visited. A "tough" murder and a few
| minor accidents had been put in read
able shape and sent to the office, and
Tor the first time since he had left the
office, early in the evening, Billy found
time to think of the loved ones at home.
The streets were now quiet and desert
ed. The theaters and dance halls had
dismissed the crowds of mirth-seekers,
and save an occasional policeman who
greeted Billy with a nod of recognition
or stopped moment to chat, there was
no one abroad, the cold, biting wind
having sent even the tramp to find
shelter behind friendly doorway or
beneath an empty packing case.
Walking briskly along to keep him.
self warm, with his thoughts constantly
reverting to the sick mother, Billy was
suddenly startled by the harsh changing
of bells, as an engine and hose cart
dashed by, leaving trail Of glowing
sparks along the street. To the nearest
police box he ran, and, calling up the
operator, he received the answer,
"'4-11,' at - avenue and - street."
Calling a passing cab he jumped IN and
was hurriedly driven to the fire, whose
bright red glare was lighting up the sky.
The fire was in the heart or the manu-
featuring district and was involving
thousands of dollars and the lives of
scores Of brave men, who were fighting
the element with desperate energy.
1t was not q time when the police re-
porter could not stand by in q place Of
safety, for the hour of going to press
was near at hand, and he mast throw
himself into the fray to gather the news
which would be devoured few hours
later with avidity in thousands of
homes. ALI thoughts of poverty and Of
trouble at home were forgotten for the
moment in the desire to faithfully per-
form his work, and scarcely needing
the mods Of recognition on every side,
he plunged into his work.
Suddenly there came shout OF warn
ing which terrified even the brave fire.
men, and they struggled back to place
Of safety. Poor Billy he had not
heard the warning, and when, few
minutes later, they dug him out from
beneath pile of brick and timb Der, bad
ly crushed but with the breath of life
still in his body, many strong heart
turned faint and sick Men who knew
his bright, cherry disposition in spite of
his troubles, wept as they tenderly car
ried him in an adjoining building, while
messengers were dispatched in every
direction for physicians. Only once
did the poor fellow open his eyes when
rough hands made tender by the awful
scene, moistened his lips with liquor.
For moment he seemed to revive and
although the effort seemed to cost him
untold agony he feebly asked that a
messenger boy be called quickly Then
he drew from his pocket some copy
paper soiled with smoke and water and
hastily scrubbed few lines. Rush
this to the Daily" he gasped;
Its my. last Christmas story" he MUIR
INJURED and sank back.
There was trembling of the eyelids,
a scarcely perceptible culver of the
mutilated form, and the reporters
Christmas Day had dawned. W. p.