The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-12-12

more travelling companions, but rivals,
enemies, now that they were operating
on the battlefield.
They had left Ichim few hours only
after the departure Of Michael Strogof,
and If they arrived before him at Kaly-
van in following the same route it was
because Michael Strogoff had lost three
days on the borders of the Irish. And
| now, after having witnessed the battle
between the Russians and the Tartars
in front Of the city, leaving the city
when the struggle was still going on In
the streets, they had to run to the sta
ton to send away their dispatches to
! Europe, each seeking to rob the other
| of priority in describing the stirring
events.
Michael Strogoff kept at distance in
the shadow, and without being seen he
| could see all and hear all. He was
probably about to learn important news
and know If he ought to enter Kalyvan
or not
Harry Blount, more alert than his
colleague, had possession Of the WIN
| dow and handed in his dispatch, while
Alcide Jolivet, contrary to his habits.
stopped impatiently. ''Ten copecks q
word" said the operator, taking the
| dispatch.
Harry Blount placed pile Of rubles
on the counter, his confrere looking at
him somewhat stupefed.
"Well." said the employee, and with
undisturbed sang froid he commenced
to telegraph the following dispatch:
Daily Telegraph, London:
| From Kalyvan, Government Of Omsk, Siberia,
| Aug. Enlargement of Russian troops with Tar
tars -s... . t..r. g..
| That reading being made aloud, Mi
/ chael Strogoff could hear all the Eng
hsh correspondent addressed to his pa
per.
Russian troops repulsed with great losses. Tar
tars enter Kalyvan this day.
These words ended the dispatch.
! my turn now" said Alcide Jolivet,
who tried to pass his dispatch address
ed to his cousin Of the Montmartre Eau
bourg.
But that did not suit the English re.
porter, who thought of remaining at
the window as long as he should have
news to transmit, as fast as fresh
events might occur, so he did not give
place to his confrere. -...
you are throughY cried Alcide JOLT
vet. -
Il am not through" simply answered
Harry Blount.
And he went on writing words which
he passed to the operator, who read
very quietly:
In the beginning God created heaven and EARTH
They were verses from the Bible Har-
ry Blount was telegraphing to gain
time and not give place to his rival.
That would probably cost few thou
sand rubles to his paper, but his paper
would have the first information.
France might wait.
Think Of the anger of Alcide Jolivet,
who under any other circumstances
would have appreciated the joke. He
even insisted that the operator should
take his dispatches in preference to
those of his confrere.
THAT is the right of the gentleman"
said the employee coolly, pointing to
Harry Blount, smiling kindly to him.
And he continued to transmit to The
Daily Telegraph the first book of the
holy writ. ......
While he was operating Harry Blount
went to the window, and with his glass
he observed what was going on about
Kalyvan, SO as to complete his informa-
ton. ~. ss',..
| A few minutes later he took his place
again at the Office window and added
to his telegram:
Two churches in flames. The fire seems to gain
on the right. The earth was without form and
| void. Darkness covered the face Of the earth.
Alcide Joliyet had simply ferocious
desire to strangle the honorable re-
porter of The Daily Telegraph. % -.
He once more called upon the en-
ployee, who again coolly answered:
1T is his right, sir; 1t is his right.
Ten copecks word" ...
And he telegraphed the following
news, handed him by Blount:
+ Russian refugees escape the city. And God said.
'Let there be light, and there was light"
Alcide Jolivet was literally transport
ed with rage. '>* f.'. -
Meanwhile Harry Blount was again
at the outside window, but this time,
absentminded probably on account of
the spectacle he saw, he made his OBJ
servations too long. So when the OPP
orator had finished sending the third
verse of the Bible Alcide Jolivet quiet.
~ took his place at the wicket and, as
his colleague had done, placed q re-
spectacle pile of rubles on the desk
and handed his dispatch, which the en-
ployee read aloud:
Madeleine Jolivet 10 Faubourg Montmartre, Paris:
Kalyvan, Government Of omsk. Aug. 6-Run-
aways fly from the city. Russians beaten. Furi-
Gus pursuit by the TartarA
And when Harry Blount came back
he heard Alcide Jolivet completing his
telegram. singing musingly with mock
cry:
''There was little man all dressed in gray. in
Paria" Ts@" j 't! ~
'Alcide Jolivet thought it better not to
mix sacred things with profane as his
colleague had done, and he answered
by joyful chorus Of Beranger to the
verses Of the Bible. -