Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-02

camo sounds that indicated the diincui-
ties OF locomotlon under certain circum-
stances Heralded by alcoholic perfume,
vet DELAYED by over-suppc limbs, Ping
Murphy. the hitherto invulnerable Aehh
lee eteered himself into the Office ana
s,ood before the little gathering. IL was
"plue'' I'm the fesh--n0t literally punched
full OF holes. as the fstic chronicler had
stated. but sufficiently battered TO JUSTIFY
the figure OF speech. One or MS eyes
presented the appearance OF a peacock
feather, while the nose OF the Hioernlah
glowed rosy red with cereal inspiration.
The conquered hero. stripped OF his iau-
rels. had sought to drown his sorro"S
with that liquid which so clearly demon
strates the fact that corkscrews nave
lost more lives hen cork jackets ever
saved.
~ want to see the sporting editor"
said the slugger, IN tone that indicated
danger for the latter gentleman.
A hush fell over the busy little assem-
bly,: the untiring pencils that had glided
80 rapidly over the paper ceased their
work, and for moment the silence was
almost painful. Not reporter turned
his head, not a man moved, but IL was
easy to see that all were eagerly await
ing developments
'Well. here am" said Mikey's ideal,
az last. with a determined look on his
face. and an air that showed no alarm.
80 you're the man that gave me that
roast. I'll fix you" exclaimed Plug
burning with wrath, and perhaps also
with the fiery fluid he had imbioed.
Come out here IN the hall minute. l
want to see you"
you'll see me right here" retorted the
bantam editor to the defeated Shanghai;
land, what's more, you'll keep your
mouth shut until I finish what I'm writ
ing"
These words thrilled Mickey with the
most intense admiration for his IDEAL,
though in his heart he wondered what
process the 120-pound writer would uu-
lie as a method of subduing his giant
adversary Doubtless, the sporting editor
wondered himself; but experience had
taught him that q bold front ofttimes
serves better than actual personal risk
As for plug" he was 50 amazed at
the little mans impudence that he COM
pletely subsidized for the time being. and,
to use the expression so often applied 10
the grounding, "he crawled in his hole
and then pulled the hole in after him.
The little editor resumed his work, and
Mickey. seeming further danger drew
nearer his beloved, as If 10 protect him
with his boyish strength. The conquered
pugilist, whose wrath had by no means
been spent, stood waiting grimly for the
interview. but the object of his visit ig-
nored him entirely. On, on, on, scrib-
bled the little man, seemingly oblivious
of plugs temper, and forgetful OF his
surroundings
His elaboration was sufficient to ex-
asperate a job, and after fully fifteen
minutes had elapsed, and the situation
still remained unchanged, plug" roared,
when are you going to see me2'
mot at ALL" boldly responded the OBJ
ject Of the slugger's wrath; land I'll
give you just two minutes to hustle your
self out Of this Office"
Plug didn't bulge, but, on the con-
trary, he asserted that he would pull
verlze the little editor, and his attitude
indicated that he certainly contemplated
reducing his enemy TO dust
1t was critical moment, but Mikey's
idol withstood the test He calmly turned
to the printers devil, and said, "Tele-
phone the Fourth Station for the patrol
wagon"
But the boy never obeyed the order, for
terrific explosion OF profanity burst forth
from the rough's lips. and Mickey was, for
many seconds glued TO the spot by his
curiosity to see what followed.
The drunken pugilist at hearing this
threat, burst into a storm of passion,
and quick as a flash he had Jerked out
revolver. No one ever knew exactly
what happened next. but there was
pistol-shot, and smoke, and confusion,
and a small, dirty figure tottered and fell
across the sporting EDITORS desk II
was Mickey. Before his Indifferent asso-
ciates had realized the situation, he had
seen the impending danger and thrown
himself in front OF his ideal-and in front
of a bullet
The copy" was delayed that night, for
the little editors manuscript had been
ruined by the devils blood, and the police
who rushed in had serious trouble with
''Piug"
The dawn was fully two hours old and
the soul Of the little corpse, that lay
awaiting the arrival Of the coroner, on
the sporting editors overcoat In the
corner had been at peace almost as long,
before the head man in the office. who
prided himself on being practical, re-
marked, in a husky tone, 1T Is very
sad, but wen have to print an account OF
it,"
Turning to the sorrowful little man the
devil had 50 loved, he said, you must
write the story. Rush up a detailed ac-
count, and try TO make 1t pathetic"