The Portland daily press., 1892-01-02
MIGGLES' SPEECH.

Griggs was washing himself, and was
In hurry. The telegraph had run
heavy all afternoon; unusually heavy.
Nothing startling" Griggs said, when
the editor asked him how the wires were
working, "only the news seems to pour
in from all quarters" Griggs was glad
when supper time came. He had an en-
gagement that evening and anticipated
pleasure.
Suddenly change came over Griggs'
face. His hands, dipped into the water
to lave his face and neck, were with
drawn suddenly and placed on the edge
of the basin, as he listened TO the voice
of the editor, who was standing at
Grigg's desk.
"Are you there, Griggs7 Here's dis
patch from Ground Hogs Glory. From
Miggles. On his way to Pompey Smash.
Look here moment, Griggs."
Griggs snatched at the towel, dried
himself as he approached his room and
faced the editor.
"Griggs, this is of the very first i'm
portance."
Griggs' manner indicated earnest at
tention.
81 may tell youth confidence, Griggs
that Miggles' speech must go in to-
night. No matter whist else is crowded
out, on no account must you permit
Miggles' speech to be abbreviated by so
much as a line. / would remain NY
self, but | have an engagement that
can't be broken-as important, in fact,
as this speech Of Miggles', which is the
turning point in the canvass for the dis
txict. A change Of forty or fifty votes
yes, twenty-at Pompey Smash, will
elect or defeat him. Griggs, predict
it will make Miggles.".
"All right" said Griggs as the editor
left his room He was putting on his
coat when Simmott returned.
''Put good head on it, Griggs some
thing that viii catch the eye." Simmott
was moving away the second time when
he halted, turned back, and dropping his
voice said: 81 may as well tell you. It
will be known soon anyhow. Miggles'
election means good deal, vast deal,
to me. So keep sharp lookout. See
that the speech goes in all right-no mis-.
takes or ridiculous errors"
"All right" said Griggs. He glanced
at the dispatch Simmott had laid on his
desk as the editor and proprietor of The
Morning Star hastened away. Then he
whistled up to the composing room and
inquired If Daggs was there. Daggs was
there, and in answer to Griggs' request
hurried down, as by previous agreement.
''See here, Daggs; we've a dispatch
from Miggles. He has ordered us to
print his speech-the speech he will
make at Pompey Smash this evening.
Here it is" Griggs pulled a drawer
out, brought out three proof slips and
handed them to Daggs. 'Now, as you
are going to run this thing tonight for
me, want you to be sure there are no
errors in it. l guess I'd best crack q
head On it for you before go-the main
thing is to see that it goes in. That is
Simmott's imperative orders. No mat
ter what is left out-if the president dies
you mustn't leave Miggles' speech out.
I'm sorry it SO happens must be off to-
night, but it's all plain sailing. You've
run my desk often enough to know Just
what to do. That's all, Daggs. I'll send
the head up-take the speech and give it
to the foreman to get in hand at once"
When Daggs withdrew, Griggs sat
down, dashed of few lines, looked at
them, whirled them up the elevator and
went out. He was engaged; was to be
married in q fortnight, and as matter
of course dismissed The Morning Star,
Miggles and his speech from his mind
before he reached the corner. What
young man would not who was on his
way to his supper, with the certainty Of
enjoying an evening with his affianced
at the theater?
''See here, Burton" said Daggs, as he
re-entered the composing room hastily,
"Griggs gave me imperative orders
from Simmott-to get this in hand at
once. Best run it out first thing. Mind
no matter what else is left out--Mig-
gies' speech goes in"
"All right" answered Burton. The
foreman took the proof slips, clipped
them up into twenty-one pieces, lit
fresh cigar, and inside of ten minutes
Miggles' speech was in the hands of
twenty-ono printers. The foreman was
enjoying minutes rest, when a whistle
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