Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-12-13
A WILD RIDE.

rs miles from Fremont, and expected
to make it very shortly; but on rising
/ was disgusted to find that one Of the
horses--we had only two-was deau
lame. He had cast himself In the
night. I was rubbing the strained
tendons when the professor came ana
stood beside me.
"How long before he will be ready
for work again?"
II don't know" / said shortly.
"Hand me that OIL"
"What is a near estimator" he IN
Quired with touch Of mild irritation.
"Surely in these days of scientlhc ex-
actitude so slight matter as the
length of horses lameness may be
computed with reasonable accuracy
81 just wish you'd try it then," l
said, sulkily. "He may be ready to-
morrow-we may have to wait two
weeks-unless you want to ride the
mare in. don't mind walking"
"And leave my specimens to the mer-
cy Of any Yahoo that happens along?
My dear Curtis, I could not think of
it! Since there's only you and 1 we
can make ourselves very comfortable.
But do hope the creature will be all
right in a short time. l am anxious
to be in Fremont to study the collision
of the comet with my colleague there"
Collision of the comet!' repeated,
Strengthening up. There's nothing so
tlresome as rubbing sprain.
Certainly! That brilliant comet, to
which 1 have called attention for
several nights, will surely collide with
the earth, in a few days at farthest.
The phenomenon will prove rare
and wonderful one, though astrono-
mers have often expected such an
occurrence. Unfortunately, something
always seemed to interfere"
MAY the interference continue" l
old world will be smashed up yet
while"
II did not say it would be smashed"
returned the professor, with some
dignity. "The most advanced theo-
rists agree in saying that the comet
itself is now only in gaseous form.
and that"
"Hallowell," I interrupted, "go and
make the coffee. We can discuss gas
eous comets while we eat"
Three days passed, and the black
was no better. AS miseries never
come single, his mate, pretty mare,
having the undue curiosity of her sex,
experimental with a tempting weed,
and was in very serious condition
when 1 found her l dosad her with
several medicines, getting little help
from the professor. He was so busy
watching a cloud that lay along the
horizon that was tempted to smash
his telescope in order to bring him
down to mundane affairs. Having
AonA what I could for the poor mare.
] came back to the wagon.
81 don't believe she'll pull through"
said savagely.
The professor squinted ane eye up
4 little tighter.
"AmaZing!" he murmured. at
travels with scarcely the speed of a
locomotive. marvel the velocity Is
no greater-doubtless the earth's
gravity exercises controlling influence
ut present" Then in different tone,
"Curtis, there's buffalo calf coming
toward u.s. I suppose you would not
be interested If I told you of the ar
rival of something really important"
1 took the glass out of his hand.
''Its not a calf, Hallowell. It's q
man-riding like the deuce. What
do you reckon Is the matter?'
Hallowell was from the east, and
not used to southern localisms.
"It is impossible to reckon anything
on so slight a basis" he answered Sc
riously-then made a wild dive at
something that fioated by. When he
turned to me there was a shining
bubble in his hand-thicker than those
made by soap but quite as brilliant.
1.-THE comet!" he shouted. 1.-THE col
lision has occurred"
'Do you call that thing comet?"
] asked contemptuously. II might
say to you with Festus-'Much learn
ing hath made thee mad"
ut is detached fragment from the
main body Of the gas" he replied,
dancing triumphantly around. ''The
comet as whole Is that faint cloud
you see yonder."
''The deuce it is!' said anxiously.
"We shall smother-or be blown away.
I remember you said something about
Is travelling like train"
"Not blown away" corrected the pro-
lessor. 1--WE can take refuge in the
hole by that hummock yonder. AS to
our chance Of smothering, wonder
you can mention such trifie in the
face Of material of such overwhelming
scientific interest. Note the density
of this bubble-yet how light. At
present it is so heavy with vapors alb
sorbed during the night that it like
the whole mass-hangs low. think"
We were interrupted by cry from
fhe advancing horsemau 7 eaw thot