The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-01-19
A WILD RIDE.

1&/>1>111~11V~0 ~0S1~O101
1t was the third week Of our trip
across the plains. We were now just
u 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 dead
lame. He had cast himself In the
night. l was rubbing the strained
tcndons when the professor came ana
stood beside me.
How long before he will be ready
for work again?'
II don't know l said shortly.
Hand me that OIL"
"What is a near estimator he IN
ouired with a touch of mild irritation.
Surely in these days of scientific ex-
acttude so slight matter as the
length of a horses lameness may be
computed with reasonable accuracy.
Il just wish you'd try it then
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!
NV dear Curtis, l could not think Of
it! Since there's only you and l we
can make ourselves very comfortable.
But do hope the creature will be all
right In short time. l am anxious
to be in Fremont to study the collision
Of the comet with my colleague there"
Collision of the comet! l repeated,
! strengthening up. There's nothing go
tiresome as rubbing spraln.
Certainly! That brilliant comet, to
f. which l 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
said, laughing. II don't believe this
old world will be smashed up yet
WHILE"
Il 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," 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.
I having the undue curiosity of her sex,
experimented with a tempting weed,
and was in a very serious condition
when l found her. l dosed her with
several medicines. getting little help
from the professor. He was so busy
Watching cloud that lay along the
horizon that l was tempted to smash
his telescope in order to bring him
{ down to mundane affairs. Having
done what could for the poor mare,
~AsS OoSN W lIlc WdSOu.
i don't believe she'll pull through"
said savagely.
The professor squintede one eye up
little tighter.
amazing" he murmured.: 1T
travels with scarcely the speed of
locomotive. l marvel the velocity is /
no greatcr-doubtless Che earth's I
gravity exercises controlling influence
At present. Then in different tone,
Curtis, there's a buffalo. calf coming |
.oward us. | suppose you would. not,f
oe Interested If told you of the ar
fsa q something really important"
took the glass out of his hand.
IT'S not a calf, Hallowell. It's a
man-fiding like the deuce. What
w you reckon is the matter?..,
hafloweif was from the, east, and
Aa used to southern localisms.
= impossible to reckon anything
~ . sight basis" lie answered Sc
."usly-then made a wild dive at
.onetnlng that foated by. When he
u,ned to ME there was "a shining
Oaop'e 10 his hand thicker than those
Asue ss.. by soap but quite as brilliant.
~, Ane conett' he shouted .'The col
'asion has occurredv'
, 70 you call that thing a comet?"
asked cohtemptuously. Fl might
~ 20 you with Fesths-'Much learn
aak nath mAda thno mad,"
= IS detached fragment from the
.'a body Of the gas he replied.
saclns triumphantly around. The
sue' rs q whole is that faint cloud
soa gee ronder."
- reucc 1t is.' l said anxiously. !.
IS eA smother--or be blown away.
!. n Or You said something abouf
NJ, ,uase'ing Ike a train" = FsSS
sos Liown away" corrected the pro.
We can take refuge in The