The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-09-13

the recorded incidents Of the two
storms. The morning newspapers were
hysterlcal with headlines annolur.I-
fires. collapse Of buildings. street aer.-
dents and lamentable loss OF life IN al
parts OF the metropolis. AS the day
wore and full details came 70 hand the
list OF mishaps would be doubled
while scientific observers would bes.n
a nine days wrangle In the effort e.
determine the precise reason why th
electrical disturbance should have bee
wholly confined TO the metropolita-
area. Philip Arson, a ragged boy o
fifteen, residing In desolate nook o.
the most disheveled district In the East
End, possessed the very genesis OF the
mystery, yet the web Of fate was de-
tined to weave a spell that would dest
" close his lips.
Meanwhile he wanted his breakfast
He gathered thirty fair sized, Whit
pebbles and a few jagged Jumps Of nc
ironlike material These he wrapped l..
piece of newspaper. screwed up the
small package tightly and placed i IL
his trousers pocket. Thinking deep,E
about the awesome incidents Of tn
previous night. he donned his coat 81
did not notice the packet Of lette"
lying In the chair. Never before had
these documents left his possession.
The door was locked and the key in hi
pocket before he missed them. 1t W.
In his mind to turn back. In anotl.s'
second he would have obeyed the l.
pulse had not a mighty gust Of wi,
swept through the yard and carried /
tattered cap into the passage.
settled it. Philip ran after his hes
gear and so was blown into a straDs
sea of events.
'They are quite safe there"
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, he found the untidy life OF the
Mile End road eddying in restless con-
fusion through a 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 be tapped or shaken or rudely
swept anywhere out of its rightful
place was dealt with accordingly. In
one instance a heavy tarpaulin was
lifted clean off 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
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 tablishment where three
halfpence would purchase 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 O'Brien's shop.
The old man was taking down the
shutters and found the task none toe
easy Without a word Philip helped
him, and soon the pensioner was wip-
ing his speetacles 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
an this mornin' reminds me Nv crossin'
the bay o. Biscay."
ut certainly was fearful thunder
Storm" said Philip.
FAX, 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 yet" he replied. II really came
In to ask you what this is"
With his hand in his pocket, he had
1ntwiSted the paper ana taken out
white pebble, which he now handed
to O'Brien.
The old man took it. smelt 1t and ad-
justed his glasses for critical exam
ination1
.'1t amt alum" be announced.
mo, tnsllH not.
"An' it amt glass
probably not"
"Where did yer get itT'
II found 1t lying on the pavement"
O'Bren scratched his head. IT'S
a quare looking objec', anyhow. WhG.
good is it?"
II cannot tell you. thought tina
possibly it might have some .Yal"e.
"Whatl A scrap of white shtone liHs
that. Arrah, what's come over y2%%
"There is no harm in asking, is thee
Some one should be able to tell me
what it is made Of"
Philip from his small store of physi-
cal geography knew that meteors were