The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-04-20

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Robe r t, 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 you?' he called
out Hold on minute"
What is it?" asked Robert, stopping.
DO you want job that'll bring you
a five or ten extra?''
Eyes. l guess SO; what is it?' ques-
toned Robert.
I'm to ride Longshanks at the APP
winner, if it takes 'lectric battery to
do it,
"A what" exclaimed Robert.
''Hu.sh,' cried the young man, in q
low voice; "Jim 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
q 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 hurry. -
''Oh, yes," said Robert, "but that
kind of work isn't in my line"
''Why not?" asked the young man;
"'tain't no harm, not bit. If there
was there'd be 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 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. 1t was ten dollars,
and put with the ten he had saved
would buy him the silver watch he had
looked at in Harper's second hand Jew
elry shop.
"An right" he said at last, ''I'll fix
up your spurs; come round to the sta
ton, Johnson"
"You allus was the fellow for me, -
slow pace.
They turned into a narrow back
street to the electric station, and hur-
ried up the stairs to the workshops,
hung with fine assortment of tools,
and coils of insulated wire.
This is my wire," Robert explained.
drawing out few yards from waste
heap in the corner; 1.-The manager said
l could have it for an experiment l
was making yesterday; now let me get
the measure from your pocket to your
heel"
The measure taken there was a snip,
snip, quick twisting of the wire with
the pincers, and the spurs and the bat
terry were connected.
swell, 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, eff it's that sort of
work keep your money. don't want
it."
1T is good bit to pay for ten min
utes' work like this; believe will
keep it, and dropping it back into his
pocket Johnson hu rried 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 face the size of the electric
clocks, and he awakened repeatedly
with shock rs acute as if from John
sons battery.
Dressing e arly 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 Longshanks, yer
know"
Robert ''knew." 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,
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 q DO of fresh electric
supplies just in.
At last the manager came. Robert
fastened to meet him.
MIR. Tinker" he said, ''may have
the morning off? want to 20 to APP
| pleton."
ITO Apple ton?' repeated the man
ager.
Eyes, SIR" answered Robert
| 1T isn't the races?"
lob, no sir; they're in the afternoon.
l want to see some one before the
races"
The manager looked at his favorite
wirer sharply. Roberts honest eyes
were troubled and his cheeks flushed.
''An right, my lad. You have never
asked for 2 holiday before. Take the
whole day." and the manager turned
to his desk. 49, j ~ l
"A half day is plenty, sir. I'll be
back by one o'clock. Thank you," and
Robert, hat in hand, was already on
his way to the railroad station.
It was but fifteen minutes ride to
Appleton. Robert was just in time to
catch the first train, filed with mer-
ry-go-lucky crowd. already on their
way to the races.
49, -