Kansas University Weekly.
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Sandy did space work for the other papers for a time, going deeper and deeper into his cups and managing to conceal his discharge from his mother for some weeks. She soon surmised however that something was wrong on account of the settled spells of despondency which he had and finally she obtained a full knowledge of the whole affair from him.
Then the widowed mother tied the black strings of her bonnet under her chin and turned her wrinkled face toward the office of the Daily News. The future of her boy must not be destroyed on account of one false step. He mus have one more trial at least.
The head of the staff gave her kindly attention but at first only shook his head. "It is almost no use, Mrs. Sanders," he said. "We are all fond of Sandy and would be glad to do whatever we can for him but we have only responsible men on the staff. However, we will give him a trial in a subordinate position for a time for your sake. If he shows an inclination to do well we will promote him." Mrs. Sanders left the office with a radiant face and going home pleaded with her boy to promise never to touch liquor again.
Sandy worked faithfully for three weeks. He shunned his old companions and had broken off his old habits so faithfully that the managing editor determined, when the first opportunity came, to trust him once more.
He was called up into the office one night not long afterward.
"We have reliable information," said the editor, "that Mr. Morgan the well known financier will come to the city to-night on the midnight express. We have reason to believe that none of the other papers know this. We must have an interview with him in regard to the financial policy of the present administration and get a statement from him if possible concerning attacks made upon him in connection with the recent bond issue. You will just have time to catch the evening train which meets the midnight express at Kilworth." The editor paused a moment. "Sandy" he continued, "if you get this we will have a 'scoop' and your chances for
getting at the head of the department will be increased. Remember we are trusting you."
Sandy was soon aboard the suburban train going to Kilworth. When he got off he paced the platform in exultation. Again the future which had seemed lost seemed once more in his grasp. What a proud moment when once more he could show his mother that her confidence had not been misplaced.
An engine whistled. He faced in the direction from whence he expected the train. Far up the track could be seen the headlight. The rays of light seemed speeding along the rails to keep ahead of the engine. On, on it came. Now he heard the bell ringing and the puff! puff! of the engine. In a few moments more he would be aboard the train and smiled to himself as he thought of the tussle with Morgan to learn what he wanted to know. How confident that Morgan would fail in keeping his secrets. Nearer and nearer the engine came; then dashed past him without decreasing its speed. For an instant he stood bewildered. Then the thought rushed all over him at once: the midnight express did not stop at Kilworth. He should have waited one station farther back. At the office they would only say "Got drunk again I suppose. We won't need you any longer." At home there would be a grief-stricken, heart-broken mother. Then must he tramp the street with starvation staring him in the face.
Instinctively he leapt for the car steps passing by but he did not calculate the speed of the train going fifty miles per hour. The porter $ o_{n} $ the steps just had time to see the leap and the form disappear under the car. He pulled the bell cord. When the train backed up they picked up the mangled body. Life was not extinct though both limbs had been severed. He opened his eyes with a bewildered expression on his features. The physician bent over him. He smiled as though recognizing that he was on the train. "This is Mr. Morgan, I believe" he began.
"You are hurt, you can live but a few moments."
Then he remembered the leap, the fall and a paroxysm of pain swept his features. By sheer