The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-02-24
Tom Buford's
Awakening
By ALFRED TOWNE

There is nothing that will start a
man so quickly and so thoroughly to
make push forward in the world as
finding himself engaged to be married
with little or nothing to marry on.
Tom Buford was reporter on west
ern paper, but he barely managed to
mold his position. He said he didn t
like reporting; it wasn't a pleasant oc-
cupation; it required man Of cheek,
and he was of retiring disposition.
Some day he meant to get out Of it.
Then he did what everybody consid-
cred foolish thing. For brief pc
Rod he considered it a foolish thing
himself He courted nice girl. pro-
posed to her and was accepted.
The morning Tom Bufor1 awakened
after the bliss of receiving the answer
he had considered essential almost to
his life be lay wondering what had
possessed him. Had he been in his
senses or had he escaped from luna
tic asylum? Unable to maintain him
self respectfully, he had invited a girl
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 living as best they could
and would likely turn out jailbirds
But 1t 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 2 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
If 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 if he would remain there till be
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
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
get an operator. Without both all his
work would be for nothing. He walk.
ed about in the village and, meeting
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 it and saw that it was
tramp asleep Tom kicked him and
awakened him.
Get up said Tom, land go for the
telegraph man and I'll give you a five
dollar bill"
The man got upon his feet.
do you want an OPERATOR" he
asked.
Yes. / do. as quick as can get
him.
Il was an operator myself before
rum got me down. If you can get in
there I'll send your message"
you will? Good"
Tom looked about till he found a
heavy stick, with which he smashed
he glass Of the window Then they
rawled in, lighted lamp, and the
tramp sent the message. When the
last word had been dispatched Tom
looked at his watch. 1t was half past
! in the morning
He went to a hotel and to bed. The
next day at the station, before he de-
parted, he left enough money to pay
for damages and the message, then
started for home. He reached the Of
ice in the afternoon.
we got your story" said the city
editor, land we were the only paper
in town that had any account Of the
disaster
Tom told him about his aspirations,
ar l.