The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-09-24

L
lighted his last cigar with a feeling
akin to contentment.
1t was that hour of the night when
newspapers reckon time as almost in
valuable. Only the occasional entrance
of boy on some errand disturbed the
nominal quiet Of the big room where
the reporters worked rs only reporters
can under high pressure. A few hours
later a needless public would glance
over its papers with little or no thought
of the immense wear. tear and strain
that had been necessary to make this
modern. up-to-date sheet.
But the city editors cigar had not
displayed more than feathery rim of
white ash when, as Is sometimes the
case in the tuggng hours Of early
morning, the unexpected happened.
"Train robbery at Melrosev' shouted
the telephone boy.
Every man in the room was on his
feet Melrose was close in and each
reporter was quick to realize that In
order to get good story for the morn
ing's paper some very brisk hustling
would be necessary.
Stone rushed to the telephone in an
effort to find out from police headquar-
ters something more definite concern
ing the robbery. He got little salts
faction. The police had long stand
ing grudge against the Post for critics.
ing the force-which under Chief Bus
by had been palpably lax in its duties.
Busby's appointment by partisan Po-
lice Board had been against the united
protest of the better element. His in
competency was early manifested, but
like many another vain, weak man. he
believed himself to be an object of per-
secution. And so, taking their cue
from Busby, the police had organized
a virtual boycott and were plainly dis
posed to hold out against the Post
when opportunity offered and to favor
the other papers in the matter OF news.
With this powerful agency playing in
to their hands, the Call and Bulletin,
opposition papers, had scored more
than once against the Post. This con-
dltion OF affairs did not tend to lessen
the tension between the Post and
Busby's men.
"The captain says he's nothing
further to give to the papers," snapped
the officer at the station, in answer
to Stones query.
'Does he know anything more?" per-
sisted the city editor. won't he give
us the source of his information and
its exact wording? Won't he give us
something to work on?'
"He says he will not; to do so would
defeat his own plans"
'Defeat his own plans is good" re-
turned Stone sharply. "Tell him this:
Well print more facts concerning this
robbery in the morning than Busy
and his whole force could secure in n
week." and Stone jammed the receiver
upon the hook with angry impatience.
He felt in the same second, however,
that he had placed himself in n deli
cate position, and must either make
good or lose prestige. What he had
said was boastful beyond doubt, but he
meant to keep his word if there re-
mained any reward for determined ac-
tion.
While good man kept at the tele-
phone to obtain information from all
possible sources, rush was made for
the telegraph room. There IL was dis.
covered that Melrose could not be
'raised." The telegraph company re.
ported many wires cut between the
city and Melrose, evidently the work
OF the robbers.
leave until 6.10 a. M, and to wait unit
special was made up meant losing
precious time.
Running back to the local room Tho
city editor shouted his orders.
"Here, Butler we've got to make tina
twelve miles in vehicle of some sort
You so, too, Dickman! Never mind tn,
cost. Get to Melrose under the whip
Its now 1.3o. Wire particulars If 20,
can; If not. ride back at a dead run.
Butler heard the last order as he wen
out of the door. Dickman seized hi
coat and ran out with 1t on his arm
The police reporter, unable to get any
thing further out of the captain, ha,
ridden up from the station in n hacl
and now rushed in breathless. Learn
ing of the plan, out he went after Bul
Ter and Dickman.
Butler caught the first team in sigh
a splendid pair of the wiry bronch
type, htched to n Post delivery wagor
Dlckman was quickly beside him O
the seat, and Harris, the police /,
porter. grabbed the cnd-gate just a
the wagon swung around the corne
A second later the horses, frightene
at the sudden demands made upo
them, were running madly east towar
Nelrose.
The men were too full of the impor
ant and unexpected mission to tai
much for the first few minutes. Afts