The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1910-10-14

election next November IL ours"
There was treachery somewhere. He
must see Branton.
Excitement prevailed In the editorial
rooms Of the Chronicle that evening.
Rranton was jubiiant. With Donnelly
in favor Of the project. Its success
was assured. The news had startled
him. indeed. but be cast all suspicious
aside when his reporter came in from
q personal interview with the leader.
Now he saw the Chronicle restored in
the good graces of the public and his
sacrifices repaid. Freckles found him
merrily typewriting an editorial.
IF you please, Mr.. Branton, can I
see you a minute?' he asked as the
latter paused to make correction.
Branton wheeled around. why.
hello. Freckles." he said. whats the
matter? Going TO give me notice that
you've accepted position as president
Of the bank?'
Freckles ignored his Interrogation
and delved at once into the object of
his visit. 'Mr Rranton. this head Is
wrong" he said. There must be a
mistake" Then he repeated what he
had heard Donnelly say. Branton
smiled amusedly.
'Freckles. you're wrong this time
dead wrong. That head describes with
minute exactitude Just what has &C.
Cured. We had 1t from Donnelly him.
self, through Billy Curtis" He turned
to his desk. Its all right. Don't
worryr'
Freckles was nonplused. He went
slowly back to the composing room,
thinking hard. What had made Don
nelly change his mind so suddenly. OF
had he changed? 1t must all be q
a mistake. There must be treachery
somewhere.
The next day there was great excite.
ment in Pluetown. The Office of Jim
Donnelly was flooded with visitors
while the big boss passed around
cigars to his anxious friends aud ex-
planned that the esteemed Chronicle
had had pipe dream" The prestige
Of that newspaper seemed forever lost
to all except Branton.
| In the office of the Chronicle there
was equal turmoil. Tsllly Curtis. the
reporter responsible for the article
that had set all Pinetown a-quiver
with excitement. had resigned and
was not to be found. Rumor said he
had held an early conference with
Donnelly before the presses Of the
Chronicle were through that morning
and had left for the far west. Bran
ton experienced feeling nearer akin
to disappointment than he had vet
known. The treachery Of Curtis was
evident
The, needs Of the present aroused
him from his reverie Some one must
be found at once to take Curtis place,
some one he could trust. In his dilem.
ma he thought of Freckles.
IL can trust him." he unused. "Any-
how. he can find out what is happen
ing. and l can write the articles at
present" SO Freckles was reused out
of his bed at 10 o'clock by a messen-
ger and ordered to report at the Office
at once. He went in fear. dreading he
knew not what. Branton was await
ing him.
"Freckles." said Branton. II have
made up my mind that we don't need
you In the composing room any long.
err and Freckles trembIed. The next
moment he could have shouted for
Joy. II want you to act as reporter
for me temporarily" Then he ex-
planned
So Freckles went forth from the Of
fce an hour later with a jubilant
heart Notwithstanding the prospects
of the Chronicle. Branton had uncon-
sciously stumbled upon one Of the
secrets of success. He had made an
, ally of his helper.
He first went to the humble lunch
room where he had taken his meals
since his arrival in Pinetown. His
head was literally awhirl with his
sudden promotion. He bore in mind
Branton's last words: "And. above all.
Freckles. don't let anybody know who
you are. Keep that low" In spite Of
his small stature. Freckles was now
eighteen years old. and his sudden
good fortune made him feel man
grown. HIS hard knocks in battling
for an existence had taught him many
things that were to stand him In good
stead. Branton had chosen wisely.
Residents of Pinetown will always
recall the events of the following day.
The Chronicle was filed with remarks
by eminent politicians never meant for
publication. with here and there a
caustic comment by Branton. The last
number Of the Chronicle was sold be-
fore the sun was two hours high. and
Donnelly and his colleagues were rag
ing. The strange part was nobody
knew how Branton had secured his In
formation. Nobody had seen him about
nor had any one observed the little
figure that quietly fingered near groups
of politicians as they conferred In low
tones. Freckles went about without
attracting suspicion. and the leaders
began to whisper of treachery and of
betrayed confidence. The next day and
the next the Chronicle contained edify-
ing news morsels and told Of the grow
ing spirit of disruption among the lead.
ers. Donnelly grew alarmed as lead
ing citizens began to sit I'D and take