Evening journal., 1889-02-27
TIE BELLE OF CR0SSCUT.


the name implies Log runners and
millionaires mingled on an equal footing.
There was no caste in Crosscut. May the
best man win, was the motto Of her citizens,
and genuine love Of fair play dominated
the heurts Of those rude knights Of the border.
1t was springtime. The log drive had
passed crosscut The rough crowd Of river
men was gone and the old time quiet reigned
again in the town. However, d log rolling
contest was at hand, and the people from the
surrounding settlements began to gather at
an early hour.
Crosscuts champion was Casper Fall He
was young, an athlete Of the woods, and the
pride not only Of the gray beards Of the town,
but Of the younger men and maids as well
"You must win, Casper said Jake, the
athletes half witted brother If you DON'T
well, If ! don'tY" qucried Casper, as the
simple fellow hesitated.
Il was going to say, II you don't, yourn
never git Nell Given. She'll marry the
champion heard her say So"
"You didp exclaimed the young log run
ner. Il didn't think Nell would 60 back on
a fellow that way. think a few brains, as
well as Drawn, ought to weigh something in
a girls eyes"
Casper walked away, flushed and disturbed.
He knew he had no claim on the belle Of
Crosscut She was old Col Giveu's daugh-
ter, and he was the wealthiest man in town.
while Casper hadn't anything save good com
mon sense, strong arms and an energetic ma
ture He might never have met Nell but for
the fact that they both attended the same
school, and as children, boy and girl, were
enthusiastic friends. "In be your wife
some day. said roguish Nell, when they were
roaming the woods on the return from the
old log school house one summer afternoon.
and the big freckled faced boy kissed her. and
thus was the compact sealed As they grew
older, the two drifted apart, naturally
enough, and when the old colonel sent his
daughter to Chicago to a young ladies' school,
the breach widened immensely To say that
Casper had given her up, however, would be
stating that which was not true. He met
her sometimes after her return. She was On
accomplished young lady now, and he felt
keenly his own awkwardness and want Of
polish.
Until the morning for the log contest Cross
cuts champion did not know who was to be
his contestant A gentleman from Chicago
had proclaimed In the colonel's store that he
had man who could beat tho world on
log, and Col Given took exceptions to the
statement at the same time declaring that
be would back a man to the extentof $1,000.
The Chicago gentleman, who was sweet on
the colonel's daughter, good naturally re-
fused the bet, but, instead, offered TO say no
more about certain debt the colonel had
contracted with him Or. Coltonl il his man
the colonel'sl won the contest
III my man wins, hold you to the debt,
colonel, and lowering his voice, you are
to speak a good word for me with Miss
Neli.n
To this the colonel agreed, and day was
set for the log rolling contest
In passing the house Of Col. Given on the
evening before tho day set for the struggle,
Casper Fall saw Mr.. Cotton and Nell on the
porch in earnest conversation. This was not
a pleasant sight to the young man, and the
added words Of half witted Jake served to
render Casper miserable.
MEL is only playing with my feelings
he thought. "She means to marry the Chi
cago man anyhow, and merely brings in my
name for a heartless joke. Well, I'll win tho
contest, and then IN leave Crosscut for good.
Two nothing to keep me here only Jake, and
/ am quite sure he's smart enough to take
care Of HIMSELF
Such wero the bitter feelings that filed the
heart Of the young log runner. He was too
proud to 90 near the belle Of Crosscut before
the contest, and tho 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 heartless
woman.
A crowd Of several hundred people gath
cred at the river bank above Col Given's
lumber mill on tho morning 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 por-
ton Of Crosscut was well represented, and
among them was Nell Given, who had for
escort Mr.. Cotton, Of Chicago.
At 10 O'Clock cheer went ND as Casper
FAN stepped upon one Of the logs and glanced
keenly over the multitude. His slender vet
sinewy figure was set or by a close fitting
jacket and tights On his feet be wore the
spiked shoes Of the log runner As the
shouts went up, handkerchiefs were waved
by fair hands, and FAN saw Nell Given wav-
ing hers high above the rest. His handsome
face flushed 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 am making for the
gaping crowd muttered the young log run
ner. This viii be the last time, l can tell
EN- thatn
And then a second and louder shout went
up as Casper's contestant stepped from tho
bank and started nimbly running over the
logs He turned a somersault and landed
safely within ten feet Of Fan, coming up
bowling and smiling, like an acrobat in a cir
Gus. This was the first time Casper Fab had
looked upon the man be was to meet in a
struggle fer the mastery. One glance served
to show Casper that his rival was no mean
antagonist He was as supple as an eel, with
the dark face and fierce eyes OF a Spaniard.
No doubt be had been matador in the Span
ish arena, and Casper realized that he YES 70
win no easy Fic.nry-
-Ready.r