Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-07-18
Jumps of material that looked and felt

Jumps of material that looked and felt
like iron
by this time the meteor itself had
cooled sufficiently to reveal the nature
Of its outer crust. 1t appeared to be
an amalgam Of the dark ironlike min
eral and the white pebbles. Through
one deep fissure he could still see tbe
fiery heart of the thing and he i'm.
agned that when the internal heat
had quite exhausted itself the great
ball would easily break into pieces,
for it was rent in all directions.
His first exclamation was one Of
thanlifulness.
81 am Jolly glad that thing didn't fail
on my head" he said aloud, forgetting
that had It's advent been delayed
second or two the precise locality Sc
lected for Its impact would not have
mattered much to him.
81 wonder what it is" he went on.
as It worth anything? Perhaps if
dig it out may be able to sell it as n
curiosity"
A moments reflection told him, now
ever. that he would not be able to dis
inter 1t that day, even If he possessed
the requisite implements. On its lower
side 1t was probably still red hot.
Through the soes of his boots, broken
as they were. he could easily feel the
heat of the ground, so the experiment
must he deferred for twentyfour
hours, perhaps longer. At any rate,
he was sure that his mysterious Wis
itor represented realizable asset, and
the knowledge gave him a sudden dis
taste for coffee grounds and stale
crusts. He resolved TO spend his re-
naming three halfpence on a break
fast and at the same time make some
guarded inquiries as to the nature
and possible cash value Of the meteor
itself. Evidently its fall had attracted
no public attention. The fury of the
elements and the subsequent heavy
rain were effectual safeguards in this
respect. and Johnsons News, marked
out for demolition a fortnight later.
were practically deserted now day and
night.
Philip did not then know that Lon
don had already much to talk about in
the recorded incidents Of the two
storms. The morning newspapers were
historical with headlines announcing
fires, collapse Of buildings, street acct
dents and lamentable loss Of life in all
parts Of the metropolis. AS the day
wore and full details came to hand the
list of mshaps would be doubled,
while scientific observers would begin
n ninc days wrangle in the effort to
determine the precise reason why tho
electrical disturbance should have been
wholly confined to the metropolitan
area. Philip Arson. a ragged boy Of
fifteen, residing in Il desolate nook OF
the most dishevcled district in the East
End, possessed the very genesis of the
mystery, yet the web of fate was des-
tined to weave a spell that would deft-
~ close his lips.
Meanwhile he wanted his breakfast
He gathered thirty fair sized, white
pebbles and a few Jagged Jumps of the
ironlike material. These he wrapped in
q piece Of newspaper screwed up the
small package tightly and placed it IN
his trousers pocket Thinking deeply
about the awesome incidents OF the
previous night, he donned his coat and
did not notice the packet Of letters
lying in the chair. Never before had
these documents left his possession.
The door was locked and the key in his
pocket before he missed them. 1t was
in his mind TO turn back. In another
second he would have obeyed the i'm
pulse had not mighty gust of wind
swept through the yard and carried his
tattered cap into the passage. That
settled It, Philip ran after his head
gear and so was blown into a strange
sea of events.
They are quite safe there" he
thought. "In any case, it will be best
not TO carry them about in future.
They get so frayed. and some day
may want them"
Emerging from the haven of the
News. ho found the untidy life Of the
Mile End road eddying in restless CON
fusion through gale. The gaunt, high
walls surrounding his secluded dwell
ing had sheltered him from the buster
ing March wind that was now drying
the streets and creating much Ill tenn
per in the hearts Of carriers stall own
ers and girls with large hats and full
skirts. In a word, everything that
could he tapped OF shaken or rudely
swept anywhere out of its rightful
place was dealt with accordingly. III
one instance a heavy tarpaulin was
lifted clean Off a wagon and neatly
lodged over the heads of the driver and
horses of passing omnibus They
were not eXtricated from its close EN-
brace without some difficulty and Il
marks by he wagner and the driver
assisted by the bus conductor and va
rious passengers
Philip laughed heartily for the first
time since his mothers death. He
waited until the driver and the wag-
oner had exchanged their farewell com.
pllmentS; then he made off briskly to-
ward an establishment where three
halfpence would purchase a cup of
coffee and a bun.
In ten minutes he felt much refresh
ed, and his busy mind reverted to the
mysterious package he carried Think
ing It best to seek the counsel OF an
older head. he went TO OBrieu's shop
The old man was taking down the
shutters and found the task none too
easy Without n word philin haIpod