Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-12-23

lESUlA, IHUh hODA
Ieledge was upset, and he suddenly found
himself foundering in the light snow,
tTith his vehicle and buffalo robes top
|of him. It was fortunate that his horse
WAS gentle, and that the animal stopped
lht the call of his master. John soon right
led he sledge, replaced his robes, and d're-
suned the race.
II the meantime William had gained
considerable advantage; and when John
looked after him, he had just disappear
ed oyer little hill in the road. But Jonn
was not entirely disheartencd. He urged
Ibis horse forward with such success that
|he overlook his rival; and the two drove
lip together in front Of Deacon Perinks'
homestead.
Jenny was sitting at the window when
she heard the sleigh bells, and, looking
out, saw her rival lovers leap hurricdly
rom their vehicles, and rush, neck and
teck, through the garden, up to the front
door. She went to the door to meet them.
Both were almost breathless, and it was
spme time before either could speak
Each seized hand of Jenny's, and, as
quickly as possible, each asked the favor
Of Ter company to the party.
Itwas trying moment for the girl. She
did net want 10 offend either of her lov-
ers. First he thought she would decline
to 80. Her second thought was that this
course would offend both, and then she
might have no lover left at all. Better
have one than none. She must decide in
favor of either William or John.
First she looked upon one and then
upon the o:her. William was the best
looking man OF the two. He was hand
some in form and feature, and was every
thing that girl could desire, so far as
personal appearance was concerned. But
Jenny knew that John had the best ma
ture, and the more noble mind Of the two.
It was several minutes before she could
!sdecidc.
At length she said, II will 60 with
John:. this time, and next time I will &C
cept Williams company.
This answer nettled William exceeding
ly Looking angrily at Jenny, he ex
claimed, ."Well. miss, then you will new
er have my company again."
William without waiting for further
explanation, turned upon his heel. jump
ed into his sledge, and droye home again
John and Jenny attended the party. II
was early morning when the party broke
up, and the company disappeared. As
John assisted Jenny into the sledge, and
tucked the robes about her, preparatory
to the drive home, he could not help ex'
ulting.mentally over the victory he had
achieved over his rival. in winning the
preference Of enc Of the prettiest girls in
the State. They started on their home
ward journey. The moon had set, and
the darkness was only relieved by the
stars; but John could see Jcnny's bright
eyes as they looked lovingly into his own.
1t was then that he asked her the momen'
tous would she be mis- wife?
She said "Ycs," and the betrotllal was
sealed with kiss.
1t w'as agreed, however, that the mar
riage should not take place until some
considerable time elapsed. Jenny's par
ents thought her "o'er young to marry
yeti" and the young fellow would not be
prepared TO take wife until he had cs'
tablished himself in business.
1t might be imagined that after what
had occurred William and John would
be sworn enemics-but such was not the
case, at least to outward appearances
There was coldness between them for q
short time, but the old friendship was ap-
parently renewed.
The time had come when it was advisa-
BILE that the young men should decide up
on the avOcation they would follow for
a livelihood. Both were averse to staying
upon the rough hillside farms where their
fathers had earned hard but honest liv-
ing. William and John had often read
and talked of the feats and acts perform.
ed by divers, who, clad in their peculiar
armor, worked beneath the water. In the
eyes Of the young men the avocation of
the diver was a sure and ready way to &C
cumulate fortune. Vast treasures had
often been found at the bottom OF the
ocean. Old sunken wrecks of vessels
which had been laden with valuables, had
been explored, yielding a rich harvest to
the bold diver. With visions of future
wealth before them, the young men bade
farewell to their friends for time AID
set out for Boston.
Arriving in Boston, they Joined a CON-
pany of wrcckcrs who followed the bust
ness of exploring and securing the valua-
bles in yessesls wrecked on the coast of
Maine. The company sailed in little
coasting craft for the scene of operation.
A ship had recently been sunk, and as
certaining the precise spot, the divers set
to work. The meu worked in pairs, or by
twos. Each two men we're furnished with
a divers armor, air pump, and apparatus.
While one, clothed in the armor, was
down in the water at work, the other
would remain above and work the pump
which furnished air to his comrade.
1t so happened that William and Johu
worked together. One day while John
was down many feet below the surface OF
the water, and William furnished him