Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-12-20

guys tell me where 1 could find Mister Gallagher?"
The men eyed Blink suspiciously. "what d'you
want with him?" asked one of them.
'They's a guy sick in the City hospital what
wants to see him right away" returned Blink
They sent me up here on a dead rum"
Another great crash and then the smoke Ia
the alley became binding But Blink saw the
men run. and he fancied he saw also grin Of
satisfaction.
Close on their heels Blink ran to the nearest
telephone and called the city editor Of the Record
He was not a stranger to that official, and he
said. Dis is Blink Corrigan. Know mer
Yes, yes; what is It'll" 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 dc
City hospital right away Tell 'em to wait fer
me If don't get dere ahead of dem. I'll point
out de men they got to arrest Are youse ONT"
Cause Of fre?" questioned the city editor.
Sure an a 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. Bink'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 fort"
asked one.
Excitedly Blink blurted out the story II
caused a laugh from the men, looks of incredulity
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. mo use bluffn'. It's all up wild youse
He's confessed-got scared when he heard of N
fire."
Blink plucked at the sleeve of one of the de
tectives and pulled him aside "Say," he whis
pered. dat was blur 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 mar
within the hospital by the police was a slow anG
tedious process through which Blink was con
sOled by numerous wfnks from the reporter Il
was long after press time before the detectives
called upon the newspaper man to take down the
confession, which verified Blinks story In the
meantime the reporter had written the main fea.
lures OF the story In anticipation, waited only foi
the verihcatiOn and motive, and when they came
was OF in an instant. Blink followed and laid IL
a stock of papers, which promised to contain ar
unusual and rapid-selling story.
They did. and they sold more rapidly then eve,
before in all Blink's professional experience Onl,
after the edition was exhausted Blink went home
drIneu WIN the proceeds IN the form OF two bun
dies, one for his mother and one for Skeeter
It was a glorious Christmas morning The sur
had risen brightly and Blink went In whistng
Just as he passed into the room a messenger sr
rived and handed In an envelope and a CODY 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 half &
dozen subheads and encircled by a heavy blue
pencil mark were the words: "A Newsboy De
tective." .s..
Blink cast 1t aside with the expression "Slush r.
opened the envelope, and passed it to his mother.
Mrs. Corrigan read:
MY dear Blink: Inclosed find check for $50 ID
part payment for last nights work. BY your
friendliness to us. the delay In securing the con.
fession, and the fact that the men on the otbe,
papers were chasing up the manager Of the Re
gent In every corner Of New York for story N,
the cause of the fire. the Record made the great.
est scoop In history. Therefore. l say the n.
closed IL In part payment Please come to the
Office tomorrow night prepared to 20 to work.
ANDERSON n nv