Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-09-24

ankles put them in good condition
again. She scrambled to her feet and
made step, but her foot met some
thing soft and motionless, and she
stood still, horror struck. That soft,
motionless thing must be some one
who was hurt.
ooh, let me get where can see
something" she cried desperately. "Oh,
help, help To her joy, she saw
light approach the car. Help us in
here!" she cried. Pm not hurt, but
there are persons who are"
There was crashing of woodwork
behind her, few heavy blows with an
AK, and presently two men with Ian
terms forced their way into the car
The lanterns gave barely enough light
to see by. But the men were followed
by others, whose lanterns bore the red
and green bands on their glasses that
Indicate the chiefs and foremen of vol
unteer fire companies. Marjorie stood
still until they reached her. Five per-
sons were carried out before she was
helped out
"Hello! Amt you Miss Russell?" ex-
claimed the man who helped her to the
ground. I'm George Muller, foreman
of NIinnehaha hose"
"Why-where-is this Orleans-where
we used to spend the summer?"
"Yes'm. This is Orleans. Now'm.
Miss Russell, let's get you to the doc
tor"
I'm not hurt. Now know where l
am feel all right. Can't help? Are
there many hurt?'
"There's nothin' for you to dom;
we've got all the doctors in town. See,
the depot's right here. an it's an hour
since it happened. Jest step out of the
way'm, please" And Muller pulled her
to one side to let four men pass who
were carrying something covered with
a blanket.
Marjorie looked at it with wide open
eyes.
"How many persons are hurt?' she
asked at length.
"Theres been ten killed." began Null
Ter. Hey! What's the matter" For
Marjorie had clutched his arm and
chung to it as if she was about to fall.
"You are hurt, miss. Let me help you
up to the depot"
I'm not hurt" protested Marjorie as
| Muller steadied her on her feet. But
l didn't know it was much of an acct
dent. l thought 1t was all a sort Of
dream and rather funny
cts the biggest accident on this road
for years." said Muller. "Ten killed is
a big thing, an some of 'em are pretty
big people. Nobody'll know it for twen-
ty-four hours either Sunday mornin'.
an no evenin' papers anywhere"
Marjorie looked at him moment,
catching her breath.
"Have you seen tall, light haired
young man among the wounded, or
the others?" she asked at last.
"In the depot" said Muller, leading
her to the station. There she indeed
saw the young man whom half in jest
she had been envying not so long be-
fore. Marjorie looked at him for an in
slant through her tears; she felt as il
she had known him. reporter for the
paper she hoped to write for. A re.
porter! Why. if he had been alive he
would have been sending word to his
paper of the ACCIDENT!
"Mr. Muller" said Marjorie to the
foreman of Minnehaha hose, I'm a
newspaper woman; that man was a re-
porter on The Globe, my paper Give
NE the facts as you've got them, and
I'll telegraph the news to my paper
There's a little time yet" She went
toward the telegraph office, which was
lighted and full of men.
II want to send dispatch to the
New York Globe" she said to the first
man whose attention she could get.
you can't" said he and turned
away.
"This is public Office" said Mario
rie, astonished at her own holiness
The man looked up at her. There was
little hesitation, and then second
man spoke to her:
'If you wait an hour or so, ma'am
you can have the wire, but we're send
ing so many railroad messages now
that can't promise it to you short Of
IN hour"
Marjorie turned away in despair tt
find Muller by her side.
II thought you wouldn't get 9
show'm," he said. "Them fellers is
railroad men-the depot master an the
local sup'utendent, an the engineer
what escaped
They were standing in the doorway
Of the station and across the square
could see an upper room brilliantly
lighted-the only place at hand that
was lighted.
There's the telephone exchange" ex
claimed Marjorie. That's open all
night. I'm going to try that. Come
with me-" she commanded, starting
toward the light. you've got the
names of them all?"
Muller nodded and, preceding her uI
the stairs, opened the door of the tele.
phone exchange. Central" was look.
ing out of the window.
Fred" said Muller, this is Miss
Russell, who used to live here sum.
mers. She's reporter for New York
paper an wants to speak to it,
will you call it up at once, please.
l don't know the number"
whats the name? It'll cost you So"
said central" shortly. 1t was bad
enough not to be able to go to the
wrecked train without having to at
tend to call.
"All right" replied Marjorie, produc-
ing her purse. This stirred Central
up. He devoted himself to his tele-
phone and after a one sided converse
ton of some length turned to Mar
jorie:
Got 'em now. Here y'are."
Marjorie took the receiver and leaned
against the table. Now that she was in
touch with The Globe office she wanted
to drop the instrument and run. She
stood silent for moment.
Hello! What dye want?" came a
small voice in her ear.
The sound nerved Marjorie to her
task.
"Is this the New York Globe?' she
on filed