Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-01-06

Gardiner; what's the news"
Gardiner stood in the doorway, letting
the rain drop from the ferrule of his UNI
brella in pool on the carpet. I've 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 '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 miserable little
brook that is dried up most of the yearl
Can't postpone the debate, can we?'
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"
twas 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 fors"
he asked of no one in particular.
1.-The conductor says the creek is mp
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 have to swim! Can't you try to
cross:'
mo. And here's orders to pull back
to East St. Louis. And, young fellow,
take my advice and don't try swimmin
when ole Macoupin is a-boomin. All
aboardW
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 to get across to Car
linville tonight"
The station agent looked at him medi-
tatively.
Hand carr" he queried. There's
nary hand car on the place, an ole man
Dorsey, he's got the only boat on the
crick"
Where can find him." asked Jack.
"Who? 'Lige Dorsey? WAL, now;
KANT say. Likes not in bed. Broke his
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, man FIVE miles
up this here crick he'd it, else Dorsey
snapped it to man over in Jersey coun-
ty, an don't jist remember which,"
Cant you suggest something" asked
Jack.
''Oh, yes! | reckon the bes thing yon
kin dos to wait till tomorrow. Eff it
don't rain 10 more. the crick's mighty
likely to 20 down SOS you kin cross on
the train"
81 suppose couldn't walk across?"
Walk? WAL, not unless you've got
power of spunk an muscle. wouldn't
go a-trying it, less wanted to git my
self drowned"
Jack walked up and down for mo
nent in silence. Suddenly he paused.
'See here" he said, I'm going to Try
it. There's my card and
Walk? WAL, now
But Jack was gone.
The rain had slackened to cold steady
drizzle, and as he walked down the track
Jack could bear the creek rushing and
roaring along far beyond its banks,
booming and eddying nearly mile wide
The water near the edge was compar-
atiyely calm, but out in the channel the
current, marked by driftwood, was dash
ing and foaming furiouSly.
The trestle work of the bridge was out
of sight.
Jack stopped. 1t was growing dark.
Through rift in the clouds the sun had
set red, and the reflection made the creek
more horrible. Here and rAere tall syc-
amore trembled in the water. white in
the rapidly deepening dusk.
Of course to attempt to cross was fol-
ly. Suppose the Philos did lose-what
then? What did it really matter? Then
he seemed TO hear the shouts Of the vic
torious Linos-Guthridge' triumphant
cheer-and to see his own society sitting
crushed and silent.
He would try it.
He looked back for a moment at the
station and the light dying in the west
behind it. Then he frightened his grasp
on his cane, the pride of his juniors
heart. and stepping upon the stringers
at the side of the track be began.
The water was an inch, then ankle
deep and icy cold. He could scarcely
see the ties, but he felt with his cane
along the edge OF the beam.
Farther ont the track sloped and the
water deepened. Jack could not see the
stringer, but he felt for each step care
fully. 1t was growing so dark ne could
not see the farther shore lie did not
dare look up or down the creek, and the
whirl of the water made him dizzy.
Suddenly the water became knee deep
with the sagging Of the old bridge, and
he entered the channel. The current
nearly swept him of his feet. He stood /
still, heartily repenting the foolhardy
undertaking. To return was impossible. !
Two steps more. The roar of the
black water grew deafening; took pos
session of him Jack looked up stream.
A huge dim mass was floating swiftly /
down the creek. 1t was section Of a |
covered bridge. It swayed toward one