Sharp County record., 1878-09-19
TWO MINUTES TOO LATE.

to be won, we always went it neck and
neck until the very last, when he man.
aged to just get one step ahead of me.
Notwithstanding our constant con-
tests, we were the very best of friends.
Bob was good-hearted, Ehole-souled
fellow, and never crowed OVER victory.
When we grew to be men, we were
still rivals in every thing. If pur-
chased q fast horse, Bob was sure to
get one Just half-secOnd better. If
bought fowling piece, he would get
one little more costly and accurate.
We were both considered leaders in
all sports, but Bob seemed always to be
a short distance ahead. (
When Clara Floyd camJ to the vii
lage to spend the summer nearly every
body went frantic over her. l must
confess it even now, she Was remarka-
bly beautiful. Her brownhazel eyes, in
whose liquid depths seemed to
be stored away the loves of
the gods, were full of melting tender
ness. That oval face and Slightly dim
pied cheek exceeded the velvety peach
in softness and delicacy. Fhe bust, over
which an artist might 60 crazy, or a
sculptor frantic, with her whole form,
height, and complexion, We're faultless,
to say the least. Her haiS was dark
auburn, and hung in lal,riant curls
around shoulders of snowy whitenesS.
Clara was not of the class of popular
beauties, but she was a, beauty every
body declared.
Ihad scarcely been introduced to her
and became interested, when | found
that my friend Bob Vanekvas beginning
to pay his regards to her also.
Bob and | were III for it now, | knew !;
for he was in earnest, and so was L.
The months of June and July and
nearly half of August passed by, and
we were both getting along well. For
once in my life l felt sure that was
ahead of Bob Miss Clara was evident
ly coquetting with one of the other of
us, and | could not tell which, yet felt
almost sure it was not ma
One of us had her COZ any engaged
all the time. We almost killed our fast
horses taking Miss Clara out riding
And whenever she expressed a desire
for row on the lake, we were her oars
men. Our hands were constantly bis
tered, yet in secret we kissed those blis-
ters, and wished they might always re-
main to torment US.
had very near brought matters to a
crisis, as far as | was concerned, and
only waited a favorable occasion to pro-
pose.
Fortune seemed to favor me. There
was to be a grand picnic on Swan
Island. The opportunity would be a
good one, and [ determined it should
not be lost.
A steamer, the Spread Eagle, was to
take us from the village to the island.
On the day before the excursion was to
5achef5}ff 5ah f}f1en VINO lived eddn6ii 6fs OLD
country, sent for me. Although vexed,
could not refuse, or l should incur
Uncle Tobin's displeasure. So, send
ing a note to Miss Clara, explaining my
not calling on her that evening, and
that hoped to have the pleasure of be-
ing her escort the next day, l harnessed
my horse to the buggy and drove away.
My business with Uncle Tobin being
somewhat of legal nature, and being
tedious, l was compelled to remain
over night with him. The next morn
ing it seemed that uncle never would
get done talking, and his hired man
was an age in Harvesting my horse.
At last got started, but when within
three miles of the village, a tire came
off. looked at my watch, it was half
past s; the boat would leave at 9, and
here | was three miles away with a
broken vehicle. / embarrassed nay
horse, mounted him, rode until | was
almost in sight, and dismounting, led
him into the village. The steamer, to
my chagrin, was half mile up the riv-
er, steaming away for Swan Island.
"You are Just TWO minutes too late, y
said a friend, who saw my downcast ex
preston.
Chow far is it to K--P" asked.
"Seven miles,
"And the train leaves there for M
at 40 does it not?"
eyes, replied my friend.
EN- is just across the river from
Swan Island?"
"Yes, sir; and if you will mount a
fast horse you may get to Swan Island
yet almost as soon as the Spread Ea-
gle"
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 K.
The town was almost reached when
my horse cast a shoe.
The Spread Eagle was now five miles
away. Clara Floyd was on the boat,
and, worse than all, Bob Vane was On
it too.