The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1918-12-13

Say" he said, between breaths could youse
guys tell me where | could find Mister Gallagher"
The men eyed Blink suSpciOusly. what d'you
want with him." asked one of them
IheyS guy sick in the City hospital what
wants to see him right away" returned Blink.
They sent me up here on dead rum"
Another great crash and then the smoke in
the alley became binding. But Blink saw the
men run. and he fancied he saw also a grin of
satisfaction
Close on their heels Blink ran to the nearest
telephone and called the city editor of the Record.
lie was not stranger to that official and he
said, Dis is Blink Corrigan. Know me?"
Yes, yes; what is it?' came hurried voice.
I've got sOmethin great fer yOuse and the
Record about the fire." answered Blink exctedly.
Send man and two plain cops to meet at de
City hospital right away. Tell 'em to wait fer
me If L don't get dere ahead of DEM I'll point
out de men they got to arrest Are youse on?"
Cause of fire" questioned the city editor.
Sure an sumner"
At the hospital Blink stationed himself in the
shadow of one of the big columns at the main
entrance Presently the two men from the thea
ter appeared Blink's heart started to sink but
as they turned TO mount the steps the Record
man and two headquarters men turned the COR
ner
Blink Slid out from behind the pillar ran down
the steps, and wildly waved his arms to the de-
tectives. "Pinch em!" he cried as they hurried
up.
The two men turned about. "What's this for?"
asked one.
Excitedy Blink blurted out the story 1t
caused laugh from the men, looks of increduty
on the part of the detectives, and even a question
on the face of the reporter. But Blink instead of
losing his nerve, remembered stories of the third
degree" boldly jerked his thumb over his shoulder
and said, NO use bluffin'. It's all up wild youse
He's confessed-got scared when he heard of tse
fire."
Blink plucked at the sleeve of one of the de-
1ectives and pulled him aside. Say" he whis.
pered. dat was bluff about him confessin'"
Il know it, YOU scamp the officer replied "but
he Will son, don't you worry"
The mental preparation of the injured man
within the hospital by the police was slow and
tedious process through which Blink was con.
soled by numerous winks from the reporter 1t
was long after press time before the detectives
called upon the newspaper man to take down the
confession, which verified Blink's story. In the
meantime the reporter had written the main fea
lures of the story In anticipation waited only for
the veriication and motive, and when they came
was off in an instant. Blink followed and laid in
a stock of papers, which promised to contain an
unusual and rapid-selling story.
They did, and they sold more rapidly then ever
before in all Blink's professional experience ONLY
after the edition was exhausted Blink went home
armed with the proceeds in the form of two bun.
dies, one for his mother and one for Skeeter
1t was glorious Christmas morning The sur
had risen brightly and Blink went in whistling.
Just as he passed into the room q messenger ar
rived and handed in an envelope and COPY OF
the Record. 1t was the first opportunity Blink
had had to spell out the headlines and on the
front page In big, black type, supported by harf
dozen subheads and encircled by heavy blue
pencil mark were the words: "A Newsboy De-
tective.''
Blink cast 1t aside with the expression "Slush %
opened the envelope and passed 1t to his mother
Mrs. Corrigan read:
My dear Blink: Enclosed find check for $50 in
part payment for last nights work By vour
friendliness to us, the delay in securing the con-
fession, and the fact that the men on the other
papers were chasing up the manager of the Re-
gent In every corner of New York for a story on
the cause of the fire, the Record made the ereat
est scoop in history. Therefore 1 say. The In.
closed is In part payment. Please come TO the
office tomorrow night prepared to go to work
ANDERSON, C. E."