Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-12-12

"Say." he said. between breaths, "could youse
guys tell me where could find Mister Gallagher7"
The men eyed Blink srspiciousy. "What d'you
want with him?" asked one Of them. n
:"They's a guy sick in the City hospital what
wants want to see him right away" returned Blink.
Iney 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 grin Of
satisfaction
Close on their heels Blink ran to the nearest
telephone and called the city editor Of the Record.
He was not stranger to that official and he
said ID. 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 excitety
Send a 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 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 Blink's heart started to sink hut
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, run down
the steps, and wildly waved his arms to the de-
tectves. "Pinch 'em!" he cried. as they hurried
up
The two men turned about "whats this fort"
asked one.
Excitedly Blink blurted out the story. It
caused a laugh from the men, looks of incrxduty
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 sthird
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 ne
fire." 4
Blink plucked at the sleeve df one of the de.
tectives and pulled him aside. "Say," he whis.
pered. dat was a bluff about him confessin,."
II 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 u slow and
tedious process through which Blink was con.
soled by numerous winks from the reporter II
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 anticipaton waited only "a.
the verifcatlon and motive, and when they came
was off in an instant Blink followed and laid in
stock of papers. which promised to contain an
unusual and rapid-selling story.
They did. and they sold more rupldly then eve,
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
It was glorious Christmas morning. The sur
had risen brightly and Blink went in whstlinr
Just.as he passed into the room messenger ar
rived and handed In an envelope and a COPY. a
4 the Record. 1t was the first opportunity Blinl
had had to spell out the headlines, and on th,
front page In big. black type. supported by half
dozen subheads and encircled by heavy blu,
pencil mark were the words: "a Newsboy De
tective." @ Z. 3. 4 a
Blink cast It aside with the expression, aslush /,
opened1th envelope. and pissed It to his mothe,
Mrs. Corrigan read:
my dear Blink: Incosed find check for $50 1,
part payment for last nights work. By Won
friendliness to u.s. the delay In securing the con
fession. and the fact that the men on the othe
papers were chasing up the manager Of the r.
s gent in every corner Of New York for a story q
the cause Of the Are. the Record made the greal
est scoop In history. Therefore. i say the II
closed is In part payment. Please come to ~
Office tomorrow night prepared TO 60 to work.
55.s e ANDERSON. o. n