The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-08-09

list of mishaps would be doubled.
while scientific observers would begin
o nine days wrangle in the effort to
determine the precise reason why the
electrical disturbance should have been
wholly confined to the metropolitan
area. Philip Arson, ragged boy Of
J fifteen, residing in desolate nook of
/ the most disheveled 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-
| ly close his lips.
| Meanwhile be wanted his breakfast
pebbles and few jagged Jumps Of the
ironlike material. These he. wrapped in
a piece Of newspaper, screwed up the
small package tightly and placed it in
lis trousers pocket. Thinking deeply
| nbout 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.
''Thev are quite safe there" he
thought I'm any case, it will be best
not to Gerry them about in future.
| They get so frayed, and some day
may want them"
Emerging from the haven of the
| News, he 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
the streets and creating much i'll tenn
| per in the hearts of carriers, stall own
ers and girls with large hats and full
| skirts. In a word, everything that
could be tapped or shaken or rudely
swept anywhere out Of its rightful
| place was dealt with accordingly. In
one instance heavy tarpaulin was
lifted clean off a wagon and neatly
| lodged over the heads of the driver and
horses Of a passing omnibus. They
were not extricated from it's close en-
brace without some difficulty and a
| great quantity of severe yet cogent re-
marks by the 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
pliments; then he made off briskly to-
ward an establishment where three
halfpence would purchase cup Of
coffee and 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 O'Brien's shop.
The old man was taking down the
shutters and found the task none too
easy. Without a word Philip helped
him, and soon the pensioner was wip-
ing his spectacles in the shelter of the
shop.
II dunno what the weather is comm
to at all at ALL" he grumbled. Last
night was like the takin' Nv the Redan,
the bay o. Biscay.'
ut certainly was a fearful thunder
Storm said Philip.
"Faix, boy, that's thrue word. 1t
was just like ould times in the hills
In Injia, where the divil himself holds
coort some nights. But what's the
matter? Didn't you get that job?"
Philip laughed again. Il am not
sure YETI he replied. II really came
in to ask you what this Is"
With his hand in his pocket, he had
UNFINISHED the paper and taken out
white pebble, which he now handed
to O'Brien.
The old man took 1t, smelt 1t and adj
Justed his glasses for critical exam
nation.
'It amt alum" he announced.
"No, think not"
"An it amt glass;"
Probably not"
"Where did yer get 1T"
II found 1t lying on the pavement"
O'Brien scratched his head "'Tis
a quare looking objec', anyhow. What
good is it,"
81 cannot tell you. l thought that
possibly 1t might have some value"
''What! A scrap Of white shtone like
that. Arrah. what's come over YEP
"There is no harm in asking, is there?
Some one should be able to tell me
what Ii Is made Of"
Philip from his small store of physi-
cal geography knew that meteors were
articles Of sufficient rarity to attract
attention, and he was tenacious withal
II suppose that jeweler would be
the best man to judge. He must un-
derstand about stones" he went on.
Maybe. But I don't see what's the
use. IT'S sheer waste Of time. But
If y're set on fndin' out go to big
man. These German Jews round about
here are omadhauns. They don't know
a watch from a clock, an II they did
they'd chate ye."
II never thought of that, yet ought
to know by this time. Thank you.