The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1894-02-23
THE BOY ORATOR.

stead. lie was sitting IN the WINDOW .
his room in 'sJunior halla and starinl
out on the campus, where the rain wa
pouring on the muddy pools and patche
Of sodden grass. 1.-THE ticket agent say
trains can't cross if the Macoupin rise
much more"
Rise or no rise, Jack buckles III b
hare On hand when there's q debate o.
feot,r Dick Arlington spoke from TIN
bed. He was buried in pillows and |
dog cared copy of Horace.
He'd come through fire, to say moth
ing Of water, to save our noble PhiloI
from defeat at the hands of the base
craven Linophilians! The very mention
Of the hated name stirs me hearts Der
loodl' and Dick sat up and looked ora
torically warlike,
'.Well, he'll have plenty of water te
come throughl Our chances are pretty
slim without him. Gardiner can never
hold up against Brooks and Guthridge
with all the Limos back of them. Idon't
SEQ why Jack couldn't have put off go
ing 10 St. Louis till next week."
''Aly child. said Dick, throwing the
much abused Horace on the center table,
where it bumped its venerable head
against solid geometry and fell to the
floor, "how often must tell you that
business is business? Even contest de-
bate must stand aside where bust
ness"
sShut up! The thing is we don't want
these 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. Isaw Brooks--Come in. Hello,
Gardiner; what's the news
Gardiner stood in the doorway, letting
the rain drop from the ferrule Of his UNI
brella in a pool on the carpet. Eve just
been down TO 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 I'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, 1.-TWO miles from school
and no way to cross a miserable little
brook that is dried up most Of the yearl
Can't postpone the debate, can we?e
mo. Gnthridge and Brooks have to
leave tomorrow, and the fellows from
Springfield are going home tonight
well, perhaps Jack'll come. If he
doesn't, ven all stand by you, Gardiner,
and do orr best
ltwas raining when Jack left st. Louis.
East ST. LpHis looked more forlofn than
eyer, and the country beyond was fairly
drenchegi Howas deep in bis speech for
the evenings dabate 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 man WHO had just entered the
car
All but the first few words fell on
deal 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.
tBut must cross Why, have to- (
oh, just must get over to the college
sven i have to swiml Can't you try tc
crossY
mo. And here's orders to pull back
10 East St. Louis. And, young fellow,
take my advice and don't try swimnin
when ole Macoupin is a-boomin. All
.boardf'
But Jack didn'tgoaboard. Hewatched
he train out Of sight down the long, wet
perspective Of the rails. Then he went
nto the station.
Say" he said to the man in charge.
can ! get hand car or a boat or some
hing hereS have to get across to Car
inville tonight"
The station agent looked at him medi.
atively
Hand carr he queried. "There'
AIRY Land car on the place, an ole mar
dorsey, he's got the only boat on ths
rick
Where can find him?' asked Jack.
"Who9 Lige Dorsey Waal, now:
amt say. Likes not in bed. Broke his
sg last week.
Where is the boatg Jack was grow.
lg impatient. The man was 50 proyok.
igly deliberate.
BOAT! Waal, now, you've cot me.
asst Ihearn tell Of it, man five miles
p this here crick he'd it, else Dorsey !
Wapped u to q man over in Jersey coun-
/, an ! don't jist remember which"
Can't you suggest something asked 5
ack.
"Oh, yesl | reckon the bes' thing yor i
u dos to wait till tomorrow. Ef ii /
ont rain no more, the crick's mighty d
kelly 70 go down SOS You kin cross Of i
10 train /
~ suppose couldn't walk acrossT o
Naikf Waal, not unless you've gotta 3
awer Of spunk an muscle. ! wouldn't {