The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-10-10
said a friend, who saw my downcast ex-

I f "
"How far is it to K-?n asked
"Seven miles"
"And the train leaves there for NJ
at 9 40 does it not?''
" Yes, y replied n1ysfriend. ~ *s
"M- is just across the river from
Swan Island?'' 10y ..,.--.--- ....r-
eyes, sir; and if you will mount a
fast horse you may get to Swan Island
yet almost as soon as the Spread Ea-
GLE" 7' IL .
That was just what intended to do;
and in ten minutes was mounted on
the swiftest horse the livery stable could
furnish, and laundering away to X -.
The town was almost reached when
my horse cast shoe. ..*.f
The Spread Eagle was now five miles
away. Clara Floyd was on the boat,
and, worse than all, Bob Vane was on
it too.
My only hope was to catch the train
at K, and here was mile away,
the time almost up. and lame horse.
hurried up the poor beast as fast as
he could go, but he became more lame
every moment. -''+ u
The depot was in sight; / heard a
whistle, and the engine-bell ring On
| dashed. flashing my poor horse furi-
ously, but the train was moving away
was going, was gone-as reached the
platform.
+" You are just two minutes late,a' said
the freight agent, as sprang from my
horse. =
l was determined not to be baflied at
this stage of the game. The section
leader, with four brawny Irishmen on
their hand-car, was just pushing out.
On inquiry they informed me they
would 90 within. two miles. of M,
4 and by my offering the leader five dol
lars, he agreed to land me there.
l left my horse, sprang on the hand
car, and had ten-mile ride in not very
comfortable way.
At II, after hunting for two hours
ages | might almost say found
skitfman to row me over to the island.
Already had the Spread Eagle landed
her passengers, and gay promenaders
could be seen making themselves hap
Ply among the shady groves with which
Swan Island abounded, while the steam
boat lay tied up to shore. d - rra i
could hardly wait. Clara was in
| that beautiful grove, and. worse than
all, Bob Vane was there too. O.
did not present a very presentable
appearance after my ten-mile ride in a
buggy, my seven-mile ride on horseback,
and my tenmile ride ON the hand-car;
now was finishing up in dirty fisher
mans skif. But was in too much of
a hurry to stop for appearances; 1 was
determined to know my fate before
night.
[ was landed, and wiping my heated
face with my handkerchief, walked up
to the groves where so many of my
friends and acquaintance were enjoy
ing themselves under the magnificent
shade trees.
They all expressed surprise at seeing
me, and some really seemed glad that |
had come. l sought for Miss Clara
among the gay crowds, and it was some
time before found her.
When [ sdid, she was releasing the
arm of Bob Vane. ~ .--
Hello,'' cried Bob. "Why, Harry,
how did you get herep 1 did not see
you on the boat.'' Is
came around by land" replied,
evasively.
"You look as if you had walked,'' he
replied.
| made no answer, but asked Miss
Clara for a promenade. ses So
With your permission" she said to
Bob.
OF course he gave it, and we walked
Off together. | told her the cause of my
delays, my misfortunes and vexations Of
the morning, gradually approaching the
subject until laid my heart at her feet.
and proposed marriage. 80 -
She looked up in my face and said,
g l am sorry, Mr.. Lowe, but you are
just two minutes too late. promised
Mr.. Robert Vane to marry him about
the time you were landing on the
island"
l recrossed the river and returned to
K on the train, for the Spread
Eagle was no place for me.
At K--I mounted my horse and
rode to the village.
| am still bachelor, and it is all be-
cause was "two minutes too late. >,
Denaorest's Monthly.
The lightning Spared the Child.
On Tuesday, the 9th inst, a heavy
storm passed over the northern portion
Of Macon Count, ~ NJ