Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-12-19

guys tell mt where I could find Mister Gallagher"
The men eyed Blink suspiciously, "What dyru
want with him. asked one Of them,
''rhey's n guy sick In the City hospital what
wants to see him right away" returned Blink.
"They sent me up here on n dead run"
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.
He was not a stranger to that official. and he
said, dis Is Blink Corrigan. Know me!'
'Yes, yes; what is It!' came q hurried voice.
'Ive got somethin' great fer youse and the
Record about the fire." answered Blink e%Scitedly.
"Send Il man and two plain cops to meet at de
City 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 n sumner"
At the hospital Blink stationed himself In the
shadow of one of the big columns ut 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-
t~ectlves. "Plnch 'em! - he cried, as they hurried
up.
The two men turned about. whats this for ?"
asked one.
Excltedly Blink blurted out the story. 1t
caused a laugh from the men, looks of incredulity
on the part of the detectives, and even Il question
on the face of the reporter. But Blink, instead OF
losing his nerve, remembered stories Of the third
degree boldly jerkel his thumb over his shoulder
and said, mo use blufiin'. It's all up wild youse
He's confessel-got scared when he heard Of N
fire."
Blink plucked ut the sleeve of one of the dc
,ectives and pulled him aside. SAY" he wills
pered, "dat was Il bluff about him confessin'."
II know it, YOU scamp" the officer replied: 'bu
he will son, don't you worry
The mental preparation Of the injured maj
within the hospital by the police was a slow ant
tedious process through which Blink was con
soled by numerous wtnks from the reporter. l
was long utter press time before the detective
called upon the newspaper man to take down tn
confession, which verified Blink's story. In tn
meantime the reporter had written the main fca
lures Of the story In anticipation, waited only 70
the verificat!on and motive, and when they cam
was off in an instant. Blink followed and laid 4
a stock of papers, which promised to contain a
unusual and rapid-selling story.
They did, and they sold more rapidly then eve
before In all Blink's professional experience. Onl
after the culllOn was eAIluuSleu Dllnk went uOH'
armed with the proceeds in the form Of two bul
dies, one for his mother and one for Skeeter.
It was n glorious Christmas morning. The su
had risen brightly and Blink went In whistlinl
Just us he passed into the room a messenger u
rived and handed in an envelope and d COPE {
the Record. It was the first opportunity Bin
had had to spell out the headlines, and on III
+, front page In big. black type, supported by half
i, dozen subheads and enclrcled by q heavy bit
!, pencil mark were the words: "A Newsboy n
i ~tective."
Blink cast II aside with the expression, "Slush
q opened the envelope. and passed Il to bis mothe
|" Mrs. COrrigan read:
my dear Blink Enclosed and check for go
' part payment for last nights work. BY 70,
friendiness to. ~, the delay In securing the CO
n fession, md the fact that the men on the 9TH
q papers were chasing up the manager Of the r
gent In every corner Of New York for 4 story I
the cause Of the fire. the record made the grel
! cst scoop IN history. Therefose, ! cay. the 1
! closed IL In part payment. Please come to d
d once tomorrow night prepared to 80 to work.
ANDERSON, G. n