The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-04-22

~MH4Ek moon at rise In
%(F< the horizon.
V Robert, on
his way to the electric station, noticed
this with much satisfaction, because he
had wired" the clock, and it was his
first piece of independent wiring.
A short, thick-set young man hurried
after him, and overlook him.
"Halloo, Rob, is that your" he called
out Hold on a minute"
What is it?' asked Robert, stopping.
do you want a job that1l bring you
a five or ten extra?"
"Yes. l guess so; what is it?" ques-
toned Robert.
I'm to ride Longshanks at the APP
pleton races, and I'm bound to come in
winner, if it takes a 'lectric battery to
do it -"
"A what!!' exclaimed Robert
"Hu-sh," cried the young man, in a
low voice; slim Flanders used one at
the Stanford derby. and it brought
him in o K every time"
II don't understand" said Robert.
well, you see these, don't you?" and
the young man held up a bright new
pair of spurs, land this" and he drew
a small battery from his pocket, these
are to be connected up together. SOS
the battery will send the Electricity
down into the spurs, then when the
spurs hits against the horse he's put
right On to his best speed in a hurry"
"oh, yes," said Robert. "but that
kind of work isn't in my line"
why not?" asked the young man;
"'tain't n harm, not a bit. If there
was there'd be a rule 'gainst it, but
there amt"
Are you sure?' said Robert
The young man nodded emphati-
ca,ly.
And it doesn't harm the horse?"
Robert persisted.
mo more than it does to get a little
wink of Electricity through you"
"Hum!" Robert reflected. with his
eye upon the gold piece, which the
young man displayed between his
thumb and finger. It was ten dollars,
and put with the ten he had saved
would buy him the silver watch he had
looked at in Harper's secondhand Jew
elry shop.
"AIl right" he said at last, 'Ill Ak
ton. Johnson"
"You allus was the fellow for me"
said johnson. following Robert at no
slow pace.
They turned into a narrow back
street to the electric station, and hur-
ried up the stairs to the workshops,
hung with a fine assortment of tools,
and coils of insulated wire.
This is my WIRE" Robert explained,
drawing out a few yards from a waste
heap in the corner 1.-The manager said
l could have it for an experiment I
was making yesterday; now let me get
the measure from your pocket to our
heel"
The measure taken there was a snip,
snip, a quick twisting of the wire with
the pincers, and the spurs and the bat
terry were connected.
"Well, that is a neat job!' said John
son.. Here's your money; put it out
of the way, the boss is coming"
But you said it wasn't any HARM
demurred Robert. ''if it's that sort Of
work keep your money. don't want
it." ..t . 4
ut is a good bit to pay for ten min
utes'' work like this; believe / will
keep il" and dropping it back into his
pocket johnson hurried away without
attracting the boss attention.
That night Robert did not rest we'll,
The spurs kept clanking in his dreams,
Johnson's gold piece seemed staring at
him with a face the size of the electric
clocks, and he awakened repeatedly
with a shock as acute as if from John
sons battery. ~
Dressing early the next morning he
went round to the livery stable, where
he asked for johnson.
"He went last night to the Appleton
races, He's to ride L~ongshanks, yer
know"
Robert tsknew." He clutched a ten
dollar gold piece in his pocket, and hur-
ried to the electric station.
1t was only half-past six. The man.
ager seldom reached there before eight.
Robert busted the chairs and desk
four times apiece, carboned the big in
candescent lamp at the main entrance,
and put new plugs into three lamps
that were blown. He had forgotten
his breakfast, and his little brother
came to tell him it was waiting for
him.
Tell mother to never mind. I'll be
home after awhile, JOSIE" and he be-
gan sorting out a DO K of fresh electric
supplies just in. Z /
At last the manager came. Robert
fastened to meet him.
"Mr. Tinker" he said, s'may l have
the morning off? want to so to APP
pl.ton."