Morris tribune., 1902-02-15

III " he QO0F OIL the MOUSE WIS abruptly
opened.
IA Michael Strogoff thought the office IN
a Yaded by the Tartars and was about to
a jump through the window when he NO
4 tieel that two men only entered the
room and that they were far from be-
4 ing Tartar soldiers. 4.
4 One of them held dispatch written
i in pencil, and, outrunning the other, he
Twas at the window Of the stoical em-
4 pIoyee In those two men Michael
! Strogoff was astonished to discover two
persons he had thought never to see
again They were the correspondents
Harry Blount and Alcide Joliyet, no
more travelling companions, but rivals,
+ enemies, now that they We're 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-
4 van in following the same route it was
because Michael Strogof 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 OH in
| the streets, tLey had to run to the sta.
ton to send away their dispatches to-
Europe, each seeking to rob the other
of priority i'll describing the stirring
! events.
| Michael Strogoff kept at a distance in
the shadow, and without being seen he
+ Al All r III,
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 a
word. said the operator, taking the
/ dispatch.
/ Harry. Blount placed a pile of rubles
on the counter, his confrere looking at
him somewhat stupcf1ed.
Well; said the employee, and with
undistuFbed salg frofd he commenced
to telegraph the following dispatch:
Daily Telegraph, Lorrion:
From Kayvan, Government of Omsk, Siberia,
Aug. Enlargement of Russian troops with Tar
tars. q.
That reading being made aloud, Mi
chael Strogof could hear all the Eng
lish correspondent addressed to his pa
per.
Russian troops repulsed with great losses. Tar
tars enter Kalyyan 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 Fau-
bourg.
But that did not suit the English re-
porter, who thought Of remaining al
the window as long as he should have
news to transmit, as fast as fresh
events might occur, 50 he did not give
place to his confrene.
'fYou are through?' 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:
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 might4wait.
Think Ct he anger of Alcide Jolivet, |
m -,
would have appreciated the joke. He J
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. Is. = x.
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. A.s
A few minutes later he took his place
again at the Office window and added
w LIS lS4CSldul Hy..1
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-
1loyee, who again coolly answered.
1T is his right, sir; it is his right.
Ten copecks word |
And he telegraphed the following
Jews, handed him by Blount: !
Russian refugees escape the city. And God said
Let there be light, and there vas light
Alcide JoliYet was literally transport
d with rage. !
Meanwhile Harry Blount was again
It the outside window, but this time,
.bsentminded probably on account of t
he spectacle he saw, he made his OBJ 7
eryations too long. So when the OPT !
rator had finished sending the third I
erse of the Bible Alcide olivet quiet :