The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-12-28

Say" he said between breaths "could vouse
guys tell me where I could find Mister Gallagher?'
Inc 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.
Ihey sent me up here on a dead run"
another great crash and then the smoke in
tAe ahey became binding. But Blink saw the
satisfaction
oiose on their heels Blink ran to the nearest
teiepAohe nd called the city editor Of the Record
n1e was Aof q stranger to that official, and ha
said, dis is Blink Corrgan Know me?"
les yes what is it?' came hurried voice.
I'VE got somethin great fer youse and the
record about the fire." answered Blink excitedly.
SEND man and two plain cops to meet at de
elty hospital right away Tell 'em to wait fer
me II 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 whats this for?"
asked one.
EXcitedly Blink blurted out the story 1t
caused laugh from the men, looks of incredulity
on the part of the detectives, and even question
on the face of the reporter. But Blink instead of
losing MS nerve, remembered stories of the third
degree" boldly jerked his thumb over his shoulder
h1TJf3r o11z
He's con1essed-got scared VIXEN he heard of re
fire." ~
Blink plucked at the sleeve of one of the de.
tectives and pulled him aside say he wills.
pered, dat was bluff about him confessn'"
1 know 1t, 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 a slow and
tedious process through which Blink was con.
soied by numerous winks from the reporter If
was long after press time before the detectives
caled upon the newspaper man to take down TIE
confession, which verified Bnk's story In the
meantime the reporter had written the main fea.
lures of the story in anticipation waited only for
the verlfication and motive, and when they came
was OIL In an instant. Blink followed ard laid IN
STOCK OF papers, which promised to contain an
unusual and rapid-selling story
they did, and they sold more rapidly then even |
before in all Blilk'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 sun
had risen brightly and Blink went In whistling |
just as he passed into the room messenger ar |
rived and handed in envelope and a copy Of
the Record. It was the FIRST opportunity Blink
= had had to spell out the headlines and on tbe
front page In big black type, supported by half p |
dozen subheads and encrced by "a heavy bus
pencil mark were tho words: "a Newsboy De-
tective"
Blink cast 1t aside with the expression. "Sush i.
opened the envelope, and passed it to his mother |
Mrs, Corrigan read:
my dear Blink: Enclosed find check for $50 in |
part payment for last nights work. By your
friendiness to us, the delay in securing the con-
fession, and the fact that the men on the othe, |
papers We're 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 great
est scoop in history Therefore saw tho 4, |
closed is In part payment Please come n ths |
office tomorrow night prepared to 20 to work
ANDERSON c. m