Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-02-09
MisrfIlaue0Ms.
THE BOY ORATOR.

IF the weather keeps up, I'm afraid
Jack can't get here" said Albert Hal
stead. He was sitting in the window Of
bis room in "Junior Hail. and staring
out on the campus, where the rain was
pouring on the muddy pools and patches
Of sodden grass Tho ticket agent
says trains can't cross if the Macoupin
rises much more"
"Rise or no rise, Jack buckles II be
here on hand when there's debate on
foot" Dick Arlington spoke from the
bed. He was buried in pillows and n
dog cared copy Of Horace.
"He'd come through fire, to say moth
ing Of water. to save our noble Philos
from defeat ct the hands Of base, craven
Linophilians The very mention Of the
hated name stirs me hearts berlood !"
and Dick sat up and looked oratorically
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
sec why Jack couldn't have put of 60
ing to st. Louis till next week"
my child" said Dick, throwing the
much-abused Horace on the centre table.
where it bumped its venerable head
against a solid geometry and fell to the
floor. chow often must tell you that
business is business Even contest de-
bate must stand aside where business" p
"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 prom
ised to ride Gardiner around the campus
if they don't, and you know how heavy
Gardiner is. saw Brooks-Come in.
Hello. Gardiner what's the news 2"
Gardiner stood ia the doorway, let
ting the rain drop from the ferrule Of
his umbrella in pool on the carpet.
"I've just been down to the station.
The Macoupin 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 r
"Yes-telegram. He says he'll leave
St. Louis on the o'clock train"
''Then's he's ut Macoupin station
now" said Albert 1.-TWO miles from
school and no way to cross the miser-
able little brook that is dried up most
of the year Can't postpone the debate,
can we y
emo Guthridgc and Brooks have to
leave tomorrow, and the fellows from
Springfield are going home tonight"
"Well, perhaps Jack III come. If he
doesn't, we'll oil stand by you, Gardiner,
and do our best"
II was raining when Jack left st.
Louis. East ST. Louis looked more for
lorn than ever, and tho country beyond
was fairly drenched. He was deepin his
spesch 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" an
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, y 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 il | have TO swim ! Cant you try
to cross 7"
mo. And here's orders 10 pull back
to East St. Louis. And. young fellow,
take my advice and don't try swimmin'
when ole Macoupin is a-boomin'. All
aboard !"
But Jack didn't 60 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 band car or boat or some
thing here? have TO get across TO Car
linville tonight
The station agent looked at him medi-
tatively.
"Hand car ?" he qusried "There s
nary hand car on the place. an ole man
Dorsey, he's got the only boat on the
creek"
where can | find him p asked Jack
"Who? 'Lige Dorsey WAL, now
KANT say. Likes not in bed. Broke
his leg last week"
where is the boat?' Jack wa,
growing impatient. The man was 81
provokingly deliberate.
"Boat WAL. now, you've got me
Last hearn tell of it, man FIVE mile
up this here creek he'd it, else Dorse,
snapped it to~E man over in Jerse
county, 81 [ f,sdt jist remember which
"Cso't YOU ,ageest something r ask
ed Jack
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