The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-12-20
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the gallery entrance to well down Fourteenth
street when Blink arrived.
Step by step he moved along the line. passing
the brilliantly lighted stores from which shone
an unendlng array Of Christmas things. At last
glittering display Of surgical instruments dax-
xied him; his eyes rested on two long pieces OF
polished wood crossed a background to the
shining metal pieces and he stopped. wide
eyed and Open-mOuthed.
In moment Blink was out of the line In an
other hour he was home. standing before his
mother and holding pair Of clutches up to her
asonished gaze. with but fifteen cents left in his
pockets.
Haltlngy. Blink told his story to his mother
and asked her to walt until next week for her
Christmas present. at which Mr.. Corrigan folded
the boy In her arms until he suddenly straight
ened up, excited.
"Say, look dere" he exclaimed pointing
breathessly to bright glare In the western sky.
Gee VIII yez look ut It, Dere's whoppn' big
fire somewheres."
1t was half past ten o'clock when Blink
reached Broadway. The sidewalks were filed
with the usual Christmas eve crowd, most of
them unheedful of the fire toward which Blink
hurrying.
With euch step the crowd grew denser. the ex.
element greater. Occasionally few people
came hurrylng In the opposite direction and from
these Blink heard lot Of mixed rumors. But
what he did hear made him rush the faster II
was the Regent theater; an explosion that seemed
to start fire all over the theater at once a panic
and n score or more Of people supposed to have
been lost.
For n moment Blink shuddered at what he
felt was narrow escape for Skeeter and him.
self. But his boyish excitement gave little room
for sentiment and he became all intent upon
getting nearer.
Couldn't You Stop TT"
Presently che voices Of two men caused Blink
to draw farther In. They stopped near by and
one said:
MY God. Gnllagherl There's people been
killed. Wasn't there no way2 Couldn't you
stop ltr
"How could stop IT." came the growing reply.
II had the two marked tanks stored away In
props room fixed SOS could turn 'em on last
thing before left after the house closed Every.
thing was .. X. tell you. until the tanks we
had on the calcium lights got weak Just In the
burglary scene. The stage manager got hot and
called for them other tanks. Well there was
nothin' to 1t: had to get em out. I was maxim
slow work SOS the scene would be over. but the
stage manager was fiery. He had them things
connected In second turned 'em on and when
the gasolene spray hit them red-hot limestones
In the lamp-My God! never seen anything like
It. Both tanks burst together. and-you know
the rest"
The two men were silent for a moment then
where's the manager. Jimr'
II don't know" was the reply Blink heard.
I'VE warned him. Well, It's done now. but wish
We could have burnt his house without"
"Shut up. man. Somebody might hear"
heavy prolonged rumble. followed by a sp,,
crush OF falling walls the shouts OF fremen. and
an Increased cracsling Of the flames held the
men spcechless for a moment while Blink crawlssi
to the edge OF the ar-away. Then:
"How about Collins' He might blow Let's 3,
to the hospital and talk TO him. TIN be safer.
There was another pause. then the reply: ~
never got the name Of the hospital / don't know
where he is,"
You dontl. came the s.tounded v.,e. .-rr.
we VIII have to beat It This Is no place for m.
and you"
Inc story had become very apparent to Blink
ana before the men started he had picked h,s
way Down the srsokedlled alley. turned hack. run.
stood painting for breath