Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-02

much as L nave Written II, Will uSldIlS
respecting Mr.Tape S methods which
have been omitted from this narrative.
His task ended, he got back into bed,
and lay still-indeed, he was exhausted
waiting for Mr. Davies. In due time
that gentleman came.
rs the account ready?" he asked.
Armstron gpointed to the table.
ut is there" he said feebly. Leave
space for about 90 lines more. You Will
find the copy in that envelope. But
don't open the envelope until the forms
are ready for the press. Leave the one
containing my story unlocked, set up
the remaining lines and slip them IN.
Yo Twill be ready about Il o'clock?'
yes"
Then don't open the envelope until
that hour It's the last order that l
may ever give you
Il hope not" Davies rejoined.
He was curious as to the contents Of
the envelope. To him it seemed alto
gether a queer proceeding, but he had
no suspicion of the truth. Afterward ne
said that he supposed it was a sick
mans fancy and of no real Importance.
Carving the copy" to the composing
room. he Sc tit up with his own hands.
The clock of st. Johns church was
striking y when the manager tore open
the envelope. As he perused its con-
tents his face paled. "My Cod he
cried uBt he did not lose grip OF his
business instincts in his surprise.
Look here" he said, grasping Ross,
the Oldest compositor, bp the arm. set
this up and rush it in. Lock up the form
and go to press. Not word to Mrs.
Armstrong, mind you! Not a word to
anybody. I'll attend to it. II | don
come back. you'll know where l have
goue. l shall probably Overtake him.
Anyway, do your duty
Mr.. Davies ran toward the river, CIV
ing the alarm as he went. At that hour
the streets were almost deserted, but he
encountered a couple Of policemen ana
took them with him.
In his 20 years experience as a COM
positor William Ross had set up many
extraordinary news items, but his pres
ent task was absolutely unique. This is
what the old compositor had been or
dered to put into type:
unable to pay my creditors IN full,
or promise to do so in the future; I'M
able even, in my present state of health,
to bear brayely the shame Of failure and
the contempt which is q portion OF
him who cannot discharge his liabili-
ties. I have determined 70 end my life.
Perhaps. when my creditors read the
history Of my struggle, they will pity
the wife and child | am leaving behind,
and allow the woman who has so long
battled with me. helping me in all
things. to retain the furniture, which
was purchased with her own money.
make the appeal. 1t is all [ can do for
them. my dear ones. Were / not con-
WINGED that ] should only help 10 drag
them down still lower, a useless bur
den. I would rather have chosen to live
and shield them as best / might But as
| am unable TO work, something tells
me that can do them greater service
nv effacing myself, and do itwillingly.
NV enemy, whom | have never wrong
ed. never attacked will perhaps spare
the widow and the fatherless. | will
ask no more Of him. My last thoughts
will be of them. In the river below FL
derwood bridge. my obdy will be found.
John ARMSTRONG"
Ross read the copy" twice, and
glanced pityingly at the unsuspecting
wife. assisting with one of the pages in
a corner. Then he turned to his case.
The last paragraph of John Arm
strongs story was soon "st up cor
rected. and slipped into the vacant
space left for it, Ross then 'set up
headline in capitaIs-"The Story of a
Struggle" inserted it in the proper
place, locked the form, and carried it
down to the printer. This done, he
also left the Office, Fastening toward
the river as fast as his Old legs would
cary him.
BY the light of the moon Mr. Davies
and the police officers were dragging
the stream below the bridge.
Il was too late" said the forem, as
Ross drew near. He had probably an
hours start. Did you run that par
i'm"
Yes" was the reply.
Very well. That's all We can do for
him, I'm afraid, poor fellow" Mr.. Day-
les repoined.
They stayed by the river until day
light, dragging at intervals, but they
did not find John Armstrong; body, for
it was not there. His strength had
failed him. and he had fallen insensible
by the way. All four of the searchers
had passed him in the dusk.
A laborer going tO' work at dawn,
found him, and bore him to his cottage.
which was close by. Mrs. Armstrong
and a doctor were sent for, and both
were at his beside when the news
reached Mr.. Davies. BY that time Tohn
Armstrong had recovered conscious
ness, but he cid not know how he come
to be lying in the road.
As usual, Mr. Tape obtained an early
copy Of the Chronicle. He read the
story unmOyed. But he went out be-
fore breakfast to make inquiries, and.
learning that the editor of the rival
paper had not drowned himself, he took
the first train to the head Office of the
Courier. with intent to bring out a spec
ial edition announcing the fact.
The aged proprietor Of the Courier
CHANGED to visit his office while the edi-
ton was being run Off Hearing the
noise of the machinery. he asked what
it meant and was informed Surprised
and shocked, he demanded a copy Of
his own paper and of the Chronicle.
Ten minutes afterward Mr.. Tape was
summoned TO his employers room.
With paper in each hand, the old gen
tleman was pacing up and down in
great distress.
Sir" he cried. pointing to a short
editorial in the special edition of the
Elderwood Courier, do You think it
fitting 70 write in this iocular manner
Of a man lying at deaths door?"
..vl,, t,1J mo tO mako tho manor.