The herald., 1916-01-20
Tom Buford's
Awakening
By ALFRED TOWNE

There is nothing that will start
! man so quickly and 50 thoroughly {
| make push forward in the world a
| finding himself engaged To be marriet
! with little or nothing TO marry Oh
! Tom BufOrd was "A reporter on a west
ern paper. but he barely managed q
hold his position. He sand he didn'
| like reporting; il wasn't Il pleasant oc
! CupatiOn: it required a man of cheek
and he was of retiring disposition
Some day he meant 10 get out of ii.
Then he did what everybody consid
cred a foolish thing. For brief pc
riOd he considered ii a foolish thinl
himself lie courted a nice girl, pro
posed to her and was accepted.
The morning Tom BufOrd awakened
after the bliss of receiving the answer
he had considered essential almost e
his life he lay wondering what haC
possessed him. Had he been in his
senses or had he escaped from a luna
tic asylum? Unable to maintain him
self respectfully. he had invited a cir
to share his inability. More he would
probably bring children into the world
with the prospect Of starvation before
them. Either this or they would grow
up to get a living as best they could
and would likely turn out jailbirds
But it was too late now to go back.
He had spoken. The contract was
signed, sealed and delivered.
See here, old man." be said TO him
self. you've got TO get a move on
you
He arose. dressed himself and went
to the office. The city editor said to
him:
"BufOrd. last night a steamboat on
the Mississippi was blown up and
sunk. Somebody's got to go and get
the facts. You're the only man avail
able. and you're too slow. You'd let
every paper in town get the story and
we have nothing"
Just you try me-"
The editor looked up in surprise.
VERY well: you can get the afternoon
through train. But, mind. you must
send me something for tomorrow morn
ing's issue-not later than a. m"
Buford hurried TO the station with
out calling for baggage and caught the
express. But no sooner had the train
started than he learned that it didn't
stop within many miles Of the point
he wished TO get off. He told the con-
ductor that he must stop for him, but
the conductor declined. However. lat.
er on he told Buford that a division
superintendent was on the train. and
IL Tom could get an order from him to
stop it would be all right Tom did
SO and late at night was put off at the
station at which he wished to stop.
Luckily the telegraph office was open.
and, rushing into It, he asked the op-
orator IL he would remain there till he
came back from the scene OF the dis
aster, which was several miles away
The operator promised, and the re-
porter started to walk the distance.
Reaching a point where a number of
the survivors were to be found. he
reused several Of them out of bed, got
the STORY and walked back to the
telegraph office. 1t was dark as Ere
bus. The operator had got tired wait
ing and gone home.
The prospect Of sending his matter
in time was as dark as the telegraph
office. He must get into the office and |
get an operator. Without both all his |
work would be for nothing. He walk |
ed about in the village and. meeting |
q man who knew, was told that the |
operator lived some miles away. There |
was no way Of getting him and no time
to spend on doing So
Tom returned to the station and |
walked back and forth in a frenzy.
Presently he saw something leaned up
against the side of the station. He
went up to 1t and saw that 1t was a
ramp asleep. Tom kicked him and
awakened him.
Get up" said Tom. "and go for the
telegraph man and I'll give you a five
lollar bill"
Ahc man SOL upon Ills IeeC-
DO you want an operatorT he
lsked.
Yes. 1 do, as quick as l can get
him."
Il was an operator myself before
um got me down. If you can get In
here I'll send your message"
"You will? Good"
Tom looked about till he found a
eavy stick, with which he smashed
he glass Of the window. Then they
rawled in. lighted a lamp. and the
ramp sent the message. When the
asst word had been dispatched Tom
boxed at his watch. 1t was half past
In the morning.
He went to hotel and to bed. The
ext day at the station. before he de-
arted. he left enough money to pay
Or damages and the message. then
tarted for home. He reached the Of
&c In the afternoon.
I'VE got your story" said the city
ditor. land we were the only paper
town that had any account of the
isaster."