The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-01
Tom Buford's
Awakening
BY ALFRED TOwNE

BY ALFRED lOWNE
There is nothing that will start
man so quickly and so thoroughly 4
make push forward in the world a
finding himself engaged to be married
with little or nothing TO marry on
Tom Buford was a reporter on west
ern paper, but he barely managed Il
hold his position. He said he didn'
like reporting; it wasn't pleasant oc
cupation; 1t required man OF cheek
and he was of a retiring disposition
Some day he meant to get out Of 1t.
Then he did what everybody consid
cred foolish thing. For a brief pc
riod he considered 1t foolish thing
himself. He 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 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 a living as best they could
and would likely turn out jailbirds.
N "a In 70 IN no ho n
He had spoken. The contract was
signed, sealed and delivered.
.See here, old man." he said to him.
self, you've got 70 get move on
you"
He arose, dressed himself and went
to the Office. The city editor said to
him.
"Buford, last night 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 Mter 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 10
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 OPP
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 !,
office. 1t was dark as Ere
bus. The operator had got tired wait
Ing and gone home. Ii
The prospect of sending his matter !
In time was as dark as the telegraph |
office. He must get into the office and c
get an operator. Without both all his
work would be for nothing. He walk
I'd about In the village and, meeting {
/ man who knew, was told that the
operator lived some miles away. Phere !,
was no way OF getting him and no time i
% spend on doing so. Q
Tom returned to the station and O.
walked back and forth in frenzy. L
Presently he saw something leaned up il
against the side of the station. He t
vent up to it and saw that it was 81
ramp asleep. Tom kicked him and &
weakened him. e.
Get up" said Tom, "and go for the 9
telegraph man and I'll give you a Eve
Iollar bill"
The man got upon his feet. n
do you want an operatorT he n
sked.
Yes, / do, as quick as I can get d
i'm" re
81 was an operator myself before
nm got me down. If you can get In q
here I'll send your message" A
you will? Good" III
Tom looked about till he found
eavy stick, with which he smashed re
ne glass of the window. Then they !,
rawled in, lighted a lamp, and the NJ
amp sent the message. When the NJ
st word had been dispatched Tom
oked at his watch. 1t was half past re-
In the morning. ~,
He went to a hotel and to bed The b,
ext day at the station, before he de-
lrted, he left enough money TO pay TO
IT damages and the message. then hi
arted for home. He reached the Of
e in the afternoon.
I'VE got your story" said the city
Iitor, land we were the only paper tn
town that had any account Of the
saster"
Tom told him about his aspirations.
ID when he had finished the editor mi
Id: VIC
What's the matter with you. any WI
ay? Where did all this sudden dis i.