The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-20
THE BOY ORATOR.


Jack can't get here" said Albert Hal
stead. He was sitting in the window OF
his room in Junior hall" and staring
ont on the campus, where the rain was
mourning on the muddy pools and patches
Of sodden grass. "Tbe ticket agent scys
trains can't cross il the Macoupin rises
much more"
Rise or no rise, Jack buckles III 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-
loodr and Dick sat up and looked ora
torically warlike.
"Well, he'll have plenty of water to
come through Our chances are pretty
/ slim without him. Gardiner can never
hold up against Brooks and Guthridge,
with all the Limos back of them. don't
see why Jack couldn't have put oil go
! 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 q solid geometry and fell 10 tho
floor, 4'how often must tell you that
business is business? Even a contest de-
| bate must stand aside where busi-
! 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 newsI"
Gardiner stood in the doorway, letting
the rain drop from the ferruleof his um-
brella in pool on the carpet. "Pve just
been down 10 the station. The Macou-
pin is over the long bridge and is still
rising-no more trains this evening"
"Jover 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 4 o'clock train"
"Then he's at Macoupin station now"
said Albert. 1.-TWO miles from school
and no way TO cross a 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
doesn't, Wen all stand by you, Gardiner,
and do our best"
Itwas 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 for!"
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 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 i have to swim! Can't you try to
! cross?"
"No. And here's orders to pull back
10 East ST. Louis. And, young fellow,
take my advice and don't try swimmn
when ole Macoupin is a-boomin. All
nboardr'
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 hand car or boat or some
thing here? | have 10 get across to Car
linvillc tonight"
/ The station agent looked Mt him medi-
tatively.
Hand carr" he queried. "There's
nary hand ear en the place, an oio man
Dorsey. he's got the only boat on the
| crick"
"Where can find him?" asked Jack.
"Who? 'Lige Dorsey? WAL, now;
kain't say. Likes not in bed. Broke his
leg last week"
'Where is the boat?" Jack was grow
ing inpatient The man was so provok-
ingly deliberate.
Boat WAL now, you've got me.
Last hesrn tell of it, a man five miles
Ir 'Shis here crick he'd it, else Dorsey
swapped il 20 man over in Jersey coun-
ty, an don't jist remember which"
Cant you suggest something" asked
Jack.
"Oh. vest reckon the bes' thing YOU
kin dos to wait till tomorrow. Ef it
don't rain no more. the crick's mighty
likely 20 go down SOS you kin cross on
the train"