The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-11-07
By ELLSWORTH SHAWN

w of what had been accomplished
and what remained to be done.
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
quiet Of the big room where the re-
porters worked as only reporters can
under high pressure. A few hours
later a needless public would glance
over it's 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 tugging hours of early
morning, the unexpected happened.
''Train robbery at Melrosew 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 satis-
faction. The police had long stand
ing grudge against the Post for criti-
cising the force, which under Chief
Busby had been palpably lax in it's
duties. Busby's appointment by par
tisan police board had been against the
united protest of the better element.
His incompetency was early manifest
ed; but, like many another vain, weak
man, he believed himself to be an OBJ
ject Of persecution. And so, taking
their cue from Busby, the police had
organized a virtual boycott and were
plainly disposed 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 into their hands, the Call and
the Bulletin, opposition papers, had
scored more than once against the
Post This condition of affairs did not
tend to lessen the tension between the
Post and Busby's men.
"The captain says he's nothing fur
ther to give to the papers," snapped the
officer at the station in answer to
Stones query.
docs he know anything moreT per-
sisted the city editor. won't he tell
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 80
would defeat his own plans"
"'Defeat his own plans is good" re-
turned Stone sharply. Tell him this:
Wen print more facts concerning this
robbery in the morning than Busby
and his whole force could secure in
week." And Stone jammed the re-
ceiver upon the hook with angry i'm
patience.
While good man kept at the tele-
phone to obtain information from all
possible sources, rush was made for
the telegraph room. There it was dis
covered that Melrose could not be "rais-
ed The telegraph company reported
many wires cut between the city and
Melrose, evidently the work Of the rob-
bers.
No regular train would leave for Mel
rose until 6:10 a. M, and to wait until
special was made up meant losing
precious time.
Running back to the local room, the
city editor shouted his orders.
Here, Butler. we've got to make that
twelve miles in q vehicle of some sort!
You go, too, Dickman! Never mind
the cost. Get to Melrose under the
whip. It's now 1:30. Wire particulars
II you can; if not, ride back at dead
run"
! Butler heard the last order as he
went out of the door. Dickman seized
his coat and ran out with it on his
arm. The police reporter, unable to
get anything further out of the cap
tain. had ridden up from the station In
hack and now rushed in breathless.
Learning of the plan, out he went after
Butler and Dickman.
Butler caught the first team in sight,
q. splendid pair of the wiry broncho
| type, hitched to Post delivery wagon.
Dlckman was quickly beside him on
the seat, and Harris, the police re-
porter, grabbed the end gate just as the
wagon swung around the corner. A
second later the horses, frightened at
the sudden demands made upon them,
were running madly east toward Mel
rose.
The men weRe too full Of the i'm
portant and unexpected mission to talk
much for the first few minutes. After
leaving the city Harris told his COM
panions the little he had been able to
learn at the station.
| He said: "The chances are many to
one that it's Sim Garrison and his men.
Well prepared alibis have saved him on
two similar occasions"
Soon the lights of the city were far
behind, and the darkness seemed to
settle closely about them, shutting
their vision within an ever narrowing
circle. Down they plunged into the
valley, down into the woods where the
I gloom was impenetrable. Then Butler
began to feel the danger of their peril
GUS race, his inability to see possible
distractions on strange road, but he
dared not slacken the pace. They must
get to Melrose under the whip-those
were Stones words. Involuntarily each
man braced himself for a possible
crash.
"Let me have the lines, Butler" said