Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-02-28

less joke. Well, I'll win the contest
and then III leave Crosscut for good.
I've nothing TO keep me here only
Jake, and am quite sure he's smart
enough to take care of himself
I Such were the bitter feelings that
filed the heart Of the young log run
ner. He was too proud to go near
the belle Of Crosscut before the con-
test, and the remark made by. Jake
that he had once heard Nell say she
would marry the victor, convinced
Casper that she had grown from an
artless girl to a keartless woman.
A crowd of several hundred people
had gathered at the river bank above
Col. Given's lumber mill on the morn
ing of the great log rolling contest
One of the most eager faces was that
of half-witted Jake, Casper's half
brother. He was as anxious for the
outcome as the champion himself
The feminine portion of Crosscut was
we'll represented, and among them
was Nell Given, who had for escort
Mr.. Cotton, of Chicago.
At 10 o'clock a cheer went up as
Casper Fall stepped upon one of the
logs and glanced keenly over the
multitude. His slender yet sinewy
figure was set off by close fitting
jacket and tights. On his feet he
wore the spiked shoes of the log run
ner. AS the shouts went up, hand
kerchiefs were waved by fair hands,
and Fall saw Nell Given waving hers
high above the rest. His handsome
face flushed a little and an angry
light cleaned in his eye when he saw
her turn and laugh in the face of her
escort.
"A fine exhibition l am making for
the gaping crowd, muttered the
young log runner. This will be the
last time, | can tell 'em that
And then a second and louder
shout went up as Casper's contestant
stepped from the bank and started
nimbly running over the logs. He
turned somersault and landed safely
within ten feet of Fall, coming up
bowling and smiling, like an acrobat
in circus. This was the first time
Casper Fall had looked upon the man
he was to meet in struggle for the
mastery. One glance served to show
Casper that his rival was no mean an.
tagonist, He was as supple as an eel,
with the dark face and fierce eyes of
Spaniard. No doubt he had been a
matador in the Spanish arena, and
Casper realized that he was to win no
easy victory.
'Readyp
Col. Given uttered the cry. The
log rollers bowed; then tremendous
shout went up that made the heavens
ring and then the contest began.
All! such log spinning was never
seen before at Crosscut. Backward,
forward, with the velocity of mill
wheels the logs spun under the feet of
both men. Now and then a particu-
larly good movement was chee~ed
loudly. During the greater part of
the time, however, a deep silence
reigned.
Mr.. Cotton rubbed his hands and
smiled.
My man will win.' he congratulated
himself. Hes too much for the
Wolverine. See, wasn't that grand
turn? Don't you see, Miss Given,
your champion is tiring-he will lose;
hurrah!'
The last shout fell from the lips Of
Cotton as his man bounded into the
air and landed on the log on which
Casper Fall was performing.
This move was legitimate enough,
but by this time Casper had discover
ed two things. First, that he was
better log roller than the man pitted
against him; second, that the Spaniard
was resolved to win, even at the ex-
pense of fairness.
I'll beat him here and fight him
afterward, muttered Casper, his teeth
set in wrathful determination.
Both men were on the same log
now, spinning it with tightening ra-
pidity.
Hat a~
With grating cry the Spaniard
left the log, landing on another one
near, while at the same moment his
ears were saluted by a derisive yell
rom the multitude on the shore.
There, Mr.. Cotton, where's your
champion now?' exclaimed Nell, tap
ping his arm with her hand. Did you
see that? Casper is the better man
Hurrah for Casper
Pretty Nell Given faunted her
handkerchief high, and it caught the
eye of Casper, who felt thrilled at the
thought that she still desired him to
win. Glancing at his rival at this
moment, Casper saw that his dark
face was yellow with rage, fact taat
satisfied the champion of Crosscut that
he would now have an easy victory.
for man in rage was apt to lose
the management of his feet in q con.
test like this.
A L.