Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-04
THE BOY ORATOR.


his room in Junior hall" and staring
ont 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 n debate on
foot" Dick Arlington spoke from the
bed. He was buried in pillows and q
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 Der
loodT' 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 of 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 a solid geometry and fell TO the
floor, how often must l tell You that
business is business? Even a contest de-
bate must stand aside where bust
ness
Shut upl 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
brel pool on the carpet. I've Just
been ,..wn 10 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. 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
No. Guthridge and Brooks have to
leave tomorrow, and the fellows from
Springfield are going home tonight"
We'll. perhaps Jackn come. If he
doesn't. we'll all stand by you. Gardiner,
and do our best"
TWAS raining when Jack left st. Louis.
East St. Louis looked more forlurn 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 81 long for:
he asked of no one in particular.
The conductor says the creek is NJ
over the bridge and the train cannot
cross He has wired for orders" an
swered man who had just entered th'
car.
All but the first few words fell or
deaf ears, for Jack had dashed from ths
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 l must cross. Why. l have to
oh, just must get over to the college
even if have to swim! Can't you try Il
cross
No And here's orders TO pull bach
to East St. Louis. And, young fellow
take my advice and don't try swimmir
when ole Macoupin is a-boomin. Al
aboard
But Jack didn't go aboard. He watches
the train ont Of sight down the long. we
perspective of the rails. Then he wen
into the station.
Say" he said to the man in charge
can get hand car or 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
nary hand car on the place. an ole mai
Dorsey, he's got the only boat on tn
crick."
Where can l find himy' asked Jack.
Who: Lige Dorsey: WAL. now
KANT say. Likes not in bed. Broke hi
leg last week.
Where is the boat Jack was grow
ing impatient. The man was so provok
ingly deliberate.
Boat. WAL. now. you've got me
Last hearn tell of it, a man five mile
up this here crick he'd it, else Dorse.
swappevl it to man over in Jersey coun
ty. an don't jist remember which"
Cant you suggest something aske7
Jack.
.Oh, yes! reckon the hes thing yo
kin dos TO wait till tomorrow. Eff
don't rain no more, the crick's might
likely to so down SOS you kin cross o
the train"
Il suppose couldn't walk across:'
Walk: WAL, not unless you've got
power of spunk an muscle. wouldn
go a-trying it, less l wanted to git my
self drowned"
Jack walked up and down for q mC
ment in silence. Suddenly he paused.
See here" he said, I'm going to TT
it. There's my card and"-
Walk? WAL. now
But Jack was gone.
The rain had slackeued TO a cold stead
drizzle. and As he walked down the trac
Jack could hear the creek rushing an
roaring along far beyond its bank:
booming and eddying nearly a mile wide
The water near the edge was compel
Itively calm, but ont in the channel tn
current. marked by driftwood, was dash
ing and foaming furiously.
The trestle work of the bridge was on
Of sight.
Jack stopped. 1t was growing darE
Through q rift in the clouds the sun ha
oes red, and the reflection made the cree
more horrible. Here and there tall syC
amore trelnbled in the water. white i
/ the rapidly deepening dusk.
OF course to attempt to cross was TO
I ly. Suppose the Philos did lose-whs
r them What did 1t really matter? The
l.. l. Il