The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-11-06
THE BOY ORATOR.

eff the weather keeps up, I'm afraid
Jack can't get here" said Albert Hal
ssead. He was sitting in the window of
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
mach more"
Rise or no rise, Jack buckles III be
here on hand when there's a debate on
foot" Dick Arlington spoke from the
bed. He was buried in pillows and a
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-
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 off 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 / tell you that
business is business? Even a 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 a 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-
ne" is. I-saw Brooks-Come in. Hello,
Gardiner; what's the news?'
Gardiner stood in the doorway, letting
the rain drop from the ferrule of his um-
brella in a pool on the carpet. 1--WE just
been down to 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. I'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. 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"
well, perhaps Jack'll come. If he
doesn't, We'll all stand by you, Gardiner,
and do our best"
1t was 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.
1.-THE conductor says the creek is up
over the bridge and the train cannot
cross. He has wired for ORDERS" n
swered a 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 | have to swiml Can't you try tt
CROSSE
mo. 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 watched
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 a hand car or a boat or some
thing here? | have to get across to Car
linville tonight"
The station agent looked at him medi
tatfvely.
Hand CARP he queried. There
nary hand car ON the place, an ole ma
Dorsey. he's got the only boat on tn
crick.r
Where can I find himT' asked Jack.
who? 'Lige Dorsey? WAL, nov
KANT say. Likes not in bed. Broke hi
leg last week"
@s..sWher ID the boatg" Jack was grow
ing impatient. The man was SO provol
ingly deliberate.
BOAT! WAL, now, you've got m,
Last / hearn tell Of it, a man five mil,
mp this here crick he'd it, else Dorse
swapped it to a man over in Jersey coul
ty, an / don't jist remember which"
"Can't you suggest somethingY' aske
Jack.
'sOh, yesi. | reckon the bes' thing yc
kin dos to wait till tomorrow. Elf
don't rain no more, the crick's NIGH
likely to go down SOS You kin cross /,
The train"
II suppose l couldn't walk across?'