The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-01-16
STURDY M'QUINN

%ulAu. NOt tnat II naO stopped,
but the buzzing in his ears made it
seem far away.
The wonderful, almost human type
setting machine at which he sat, was
motionless, awaiting the lightning
touch of his fingers. So is the great
DAILY" born each day to live and die.
before the setting Of the sun.
The clamor Of the newsboys outside
meant that 1t was almost 12,. time for
the hrst edition. They had finished
their crap game and were jabbering in
many keys and tongues. A motley
crew, indeed, like none since the Tower
Of Babel.
Sturdy heaved sigh of relief as he
finished the last word of long col
umn, for the click of the keys made
him nervous, for the first time In the
many years he had been sitting at the
same machine.
He had done his work faithfully, but
listlessly, for week past. Yes, it was
just week tonight. How long a week
may seem when you must watch each
dawn.
The foreman noticed this change and
wondered. Sturdy had been his right
hand man through many years Of
nerve-rack1ng work, never missing a
day, and always willing to share the
burden of his overwrought chief
There was something so reassuring
about this big mans calm voice; the
echo OF a Self-reliant and resource
. full nature.
No one dreamed Of associatinp senti-
ment with the homely, quiet type
setter, but Sturdy was in love-
In love, as only man Of his shy, re-
served temperament can be: with a
served temperament can be; with a
sleeping lees of his heart.
A week had passed since that mis-
cradle night when Mary had told him
they must part. She didn't love him,
and never would, so it wasn't right
for them to see each other any more
u, Ihey were sitting on bench in the
N park. How we'll he remembered every
& detail. The purr Of the summer breeze
81 In the trees, the stray curl that brushed
---gAfs cheek; the dainty hat, and pretty
muslin dress, and Mary's voice, almost
q sob, as she laid her hand on his
I. broad, strong shoulder, and asked him
y to forgive her for making him so un-
happy.
4, Was there any one else, he had ask
! @ed'?: No, it was only her duty to him,
for whom she cared so much, but not
quite enough. Sturdy had taken the
blow silently, as all brave men meet
Y fate, but Mary had to almost lead him
I. home, for this crumbling Of tenderly
cherished hopes had made the trees
dance and the walk evade him. They
said goodbye at the gate, just as they
years.
Not that night, nor the next, did
Sturdy realize it was to be for always,
and that the little house he had Sc
aret1y picked out, dreamed about and
worked for would never be home"
for home meant only place where
Mary would be waiting for him when
the day was over.
He bore the first two days patiently,
with sort of numb resolution, but
could stand it no longer. The third
evening he stole up and hid in the
shadow Of some trees opposite her
house, feeling like thief, but a thief
who steals because he is hungry.
He had not long to wait before Mary
crossed the street, almost at his elbow,
but did not notice the silent figure un-
" der. the shadow of the trees.
She stopped a moment to say good
. bye to girl friend, then went in and
quietly closed the door. Just then a
E man passed, looked keenly at the ST.
lent watcher, as If interested in his
: study OF the little house opposite.
The dull routine of the days work
+ did little to tighten Sturdy's burden.
i: The buzzing in his head grew worse
I and the'whtr of the machinery harder
4 to bear. His nerves were overwrought
I" from lack Of sleep. Another day was
M almost done, hard trying day. and
81 It was a relief to 60 home and be Quiet.
The air tubes belched forth their last
u batch of matter" generally "ads''
which came in late, and appear under
81 the head of TOO Late to Classify"
Busy looking little boys ran in all
directions, handing each man a few
# scrubbed sheets. Sturdy absently took
II his share and began to play the KEYS
Il before him.
PERSONAL-Will young lady In
white dress, black hat, who parted
with friend last evening about 8, at
5# Elm and Chestnut-sts., be at same cor.
II s ner this evening at 8? Admirer.
4 1t was unusually deserted the next
out by Elm and Chestnut-sts.,
Except for dapper young man stand,
Ting on the corner, gazing up at house
across the way. Suddenly, as if
sprung from the earth, man stepped
E3 up and dealt him stinging blow be-
tween the eyes. 1t was an uneven
combat from the first, and in less time