The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-01
THE BOY ORATOR.

IF the weather keeps up, Pm afraid
Jack can't get here" said Albert Hal
stead. He was sitting in the window of
his room in Junior hall" and staring
out on the campus, where the rain was
pouring on the muddy pools and patches
of sodden grass. "The ticket agent says
trains can't cross if the Macoupin rises
much more"
Rise or no rise, Jack buckles IL be
here on hand when there's debate on
foot" Dick Arlington spoke from the
bed. He was buried in pillows and
dog cared copy of Horace.
He'd come through fire, to say moth
ing of water, to save our noble Philos
from defeat at the hands of the base,
craven Linophilians! The very mention
of the hated name stirs me hearts ber-
lood!" and Dick sat up and looked ora
torically warlike.
'Well, he'll have plenty of water to
come through Our chances are pretty
hold II against Brooks and Guthridge,
with all the Limos back of them. don't
see why Jack couldn't have put off 60
ing to st. Louis till next week."
My child" said Dick, throwing the
much abused Horace on the center table,
where it bumped its venerable head
against a solid geometry and fell to the
floor, chow often must / tell you that
business is business? Even contest de-
bate must stand aside where bust
ness
Shut up! The thing is we don't want
those fellows Growing over us They're
going to have great spread if they do
win, and Guthridge has promised to ride
Gardiner around the campus if they
don't, and you know how heavy Gardi-
ner is. saw Brooks-Come in. Hello,
Gardiner; what's the news?"
Gardiner stood in the doorway, letting
the rain drop from the ferrule of his UNI
brella in pool on the carpet. eve Just
been down to the station. The Macou-
pin is over the long bridge and is still
rising-no more trains this evening"
"Jove!" Dick was walking up and
down, hands in pockets. "That looks bad
for us Philos. 'spose there is no news
from Jack?"
"Yes-telegram. He says he'll leave
ST. Louis on the o'clock train"
"Then he's at Macoupin station now"
said Albert. 1.-TWO miles from school
and no way to cross miserable little
brook that is dried up most of the year!
Can't postpone the debate, can WEI"
mo. Guthridge and Brooks have to
leave tomorrow, and the fellows from
Springfield are going home tonight"
"Well, perhaps Jack'll come. If he
and do our best"
TWAS raining when Jack left st. Louis.
East ST. Louis looked more forlorn than
ever, and the country beyond was fairly
drenched. He was deep in his speech for
the evenings debate when the train
reached Macoupin station. He finished
the argument and looked up.
"What are you stopping so long fora"
he asked of no one in particular.
"The conductor says the creek is up
over the bridge and the train cannot
cross. He has wired for orders" an
swered n man who had Just entered the
car.
All but the first few words fell on
deaf ears, for Jack had dashed from the
car, and was holding an excited parley
with the conductor on the platform of
the station.
THE waters high enough to put out
the fires, and the bridge isn't safe" said
the blue capped official.
Jack fairly danced with excitement.
But must cross! Why, have to-
oh, just must get over to the college
even if l have to swim! Can't you try to
CROSSE"
mo. And here's orders to pull back
to East st. Louis. And, young fellow,
take my advice and don't try swimmin
when ole Macoupin is a-boomin. All
aboard!"
But Jack didn't go aboard. He watched
the train out Of sight down the long, wet
perspective of the rails Then he went
into the station.
Say" he said to the man in charge,
''can get a hand car or a boat or some
thing here? l have to get across to Car
linville tonight"
The station agent looked at him medi.
tatively.
Hand carr" he queried. There's
nary hand car on the place, an ole man
Dorsey, he's got the only boat on the
crick."
"Where can I find himp" asked Jack.
"Who? 'Lige Dorsey? WAL, now;
KANT say. Likes not in bed. Broke his
leg last week."
Where is the boat?" Jack was grow
ing impatient. The man was SO provok-
ingly deliberate.
'Boatl WAL, now, you've got me-
Last hearn tell of it, a man FIVE miles
up this here crick he'd it, else Dorsey