The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1916-05-12
Tom Buford's
Awakening
By ALFRED TOWNE

Inere Is nothing that Will start
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 a reporter on a west
ern paper, but he barely managed to
hold his position. He SAID he didn't
like reporting; it wasn't a pleasant &C.
cupation; it required a man of cheek,
and he was Of a retiring disposition.
Some day he meant to get out Of it.
Then he did what everybody consid-
cred a foolish thing. For a brief pc
Rod he considered 1t a foolish thing
himself. He courted nice girl. pro-
posed to her and was accepted.
The morning Tom Buford awakened
after the bliss of receiving the answer
lie had considered essential almost to
his life he 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
But it was too late now to go back.
He had spoken. The contract was
signed, sealed and delivered.
"See here. old man." he 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
sunk. Somebody's got to go and get
the facts. Yon'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
| ,rJo RI
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 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 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 an6
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 thu
q operator lived some miles away. There
! was no way of getting him and no tim'
to spend on doing so.
, Tom returned to the station an(
4 walked back and forth in a frenzy
9 Presently he saw something leaned VI
against the side of the station. 81
went up to it and saw that it was (
tramp asleep. Tom kicked him ant
awakened him.
Get up" said Tom, land 60 for tn
telegraph man and I'll give you a fiv,
dollar bill"
The man got upon his feet
do you want an operator" b.
asked.
Yes. l do. as quick as I can ge
him."
Il was an operator myself befor
rum got me down. If you can get il
there I'll send your message"
You will? Good"
Tom looked about till he found
heavy stick, with which he smashe
= the glass Of the window. Then the
h crawled in. lighted lamp. and tn
e tramp sent the message. When tn
- last word had been dispatched Tor
y looked at his watch. 1t was half pas
l in the morning.
. He went to a hotel and to bed. TIL
next day at the station. before he dc
parted. he left enough money to pa
for damages and the message, the
started for home. He reached the OF
. fee in the afternoon.
C I'VE got your story" said the cit
editor, land we were the only pape
in town that had any account Of tn
Il disaster"
II Tom told him about his aspirations
II and when he had finished the edito
u said: