The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-16

Never before mad the quiet people oi
Toms River been so surprised as when
this party came rushing into their main
street. The reporters made for the hotel
at once and inquired for the sheriff. He
had gone from Toms River early in the
day and had not returned. This looked
serious. A hurried consultation was held
and the following plan decided upon: Two
of the men were to drive over to Barnegat
Park at once. The others were TO scurry
around Toms River and gather all the
facts they could. The telegraph reporter
was to tell all he could ascertain to his
companions, who were then to go back to
the train. He was to remain at Toms
River TO telegraph any late developments
and gather any news there might be the
following day. The men who went to
Barnegat Park were to get back as soon
as possible, but if they did not return by
1890 the train was to go on with the
others, who were to write all they knew
and trust to the telegraph reporter for
what facts the two who went to Barnegat
Park might bring in.
1t took some time to get a team and
driver, as all the stables were closed, but
they were finally obtained, and the driver,
spurred by the promise of reward.
urged the horse along at a sharp trot
over the whole ten miles to Barnegat
Park. When the driver got tired one
man held him while the other licked the
horses As soon as they arrived there
one reporter rushed to the hotel, while
the other searched out the rioters. The
latter proved to be Italian laborers, who
had not received their pay for long time
and had taken summary proceedings to
force a settlement. They had injured no
one, although the residents of the place
had been in state of abject terror all
day, but had simply taken possession OF
the property, with the announcement
that nobody could come or go until their
demands were satisfied. Towards night
they had become more moderate and
matters were fairly peaceful by the time
the reporters reached there.
1t took the latter about ten minutes to
get the information they desired, and
then they started back with the padrone
who had hired the laborers, and who was
glad to tell all he knew in return for a
ride to New York, which the reporters
had promised him. A glance at theiI
watches told the reporters that they
would probably be too late for their
train, and the driver admitted that he
could not get to the station before the
time set for its departure. The reporter
felt very blue.
isn't there any way in which we car
connect with the train9" they asked.
There's one chance" replied th,
driver. after a few moments reflection
''there is road to the tracks down below
here, and l think can get you there
before the train"
"Good; try it," said both reporters al
once
The horses were urged on anew and the
wagon leaped over stones and stumps at
frequent intervals. Not word wa,
spoken, for it was all the men could do
to keep their seats. Presently they
reached an embankment.
"There are the tracks, cried the driver,
"and think we are in time"
The reporters jumped out and raced up
the embankment, followed by the pa.
drone. They could hear the roar Of the |
train in the distance and its headlight |
burst upon them as they reached the |
tracks 1t was coming along at a rapid |
rate. The reporters yelled ut the top of |
their voices, but these were drowned in |
the noise Of the train. They pulled some |
rails from neighboring fence, jumped |
on the tracks and waved them, but the
engineer did not seem TO see them. A
sudden inspiration seized the padrone. He
stopped down and struck a match. When
he Strengthened up again he held burn
ing handkerchief in his hand. That at.
tracted the attention OF the engineer and |
he stopped the train long enough to let |
the men get on.
The trip back was comparatively un-
sventful All the switchmen and bridge
tenders had been paid to wait, and no
other trains got in the way, so that there
were no more delays. The engineer con-
ductor, fireman and brakeman had also
been literally tipped TO keep them in good
humor, and they did everything to get
the train through as rapidly as possible.
The reporters wrote on the backs of the
seats all the way, and the story was prac-
tically complete when they reached Jersey
City at 1910 In the morning. They had
telegraphed ahead to have the ferry boat
detained, and IL had been held ten min
utes for them. IL was fifteen minutes
later when they stepped of the ferry boat
In New York aud jumped into . carriage.
One man got on to the seat with the
driver and kept the latter busy with his
whip all the way to the Office.
Tne night city editor had just recover
ed from one attack Of nervous prostration