The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-11-02

MS heel, ne SJrOue out ana away.
As he walked along the road leading
to the mill, his mind dwelled on the
scene he had just quilted, and with
each succeeding minute his rage grew
fiercer and his anger higher, and his
face looked strangely white in the soft
moonlight. Once he clenched his fists
and muttered:
at shan't be so. I'll kill him first.
It's her money that bought the land
and her money that built the house,
and though nobody knows it, it'll be
found out if she marries him, and ther
I'll be fixed in a nice pickle. No, 1t
mustn't, and it shan't be. She must be
my wife,"
He had walked quite distance and
come to the point where the road fol-
lowed along the river bank. 1t was q
narrow pass between the river and the
bluff, and only foot-path, or nigh
cut" as the people called it, where
foot-passeugers turned off from the
main road and saved some distance by
going through
Beckett had passed several yards
along the bank when he heard the
sounds of footsteps approaching from
the other way, and looking up, what
was his surprise and Indignation to
find himself face to face with the
preacher feller."
Both stopped short, and for some
time neither spoke. Beckett's rage
was too great to permit of his uttering
word. while the other was too much
shocked by old Sans looks and actions
to find any power of speech.
whats the matter, Mr.. Beckett?"
the minister finally asked.
"Matter enough" Beckwith replied
in a trembling voice.
II hope nothing serious has gone
wrong with you."
you're liar" Beckett screamed.
you don't hope any such thing. an
you know you don't. If you did you
wouldn't do it"
"Do what, my friend? lido not un-
derstand your meaning"
"No, 1 reck on you don't understand
it, when you are at the bottom of it"
"Bottom of whatp"
"Bottom of this trouble. o, you're
a good one, and you've worked it
mighty fine, but you shan't never marry
her."
A light began to dawn on Hackett.
and he thought he was getting an in
sight into the old mans meaning.
.'Now look here, Mr.. Beckett" he
said, very calmly, II know your are
Miss Higgins guardian, and proposed
to respect your rights by informing you
of our intentions"
Hang your Intentions! l say you
can't marry the gal. You can't have
her!"
whats your objectionsP"
"Tm goin' to marry her myself"
The reply struck Nose Hackett as so
preposterous and ridiculous that he
could not avoid laughing.
In an instant Beckett's 8 face grew red
with anger, and taking step forward,
he said:
you laugh at me, do you, you little
guttersnipe of creation? You think
you'll git her anyhow, but I'll see to it
that you don'tn'
And before the minister realized his
meaning, Beckett had his strong arms
about him and was doing his utmost to
throw him over into the river.
Beckett was handy man and un-
usually strong, and he experienced no
difficulty in lifting his little antagonist
up and churning him about. But to
throw him into the river was much
more difficult task, since the little man
clung to him like g leech and refused
to be shaken loose.
There was long struggle, which at
last ended in both of them getting too
near the bank and slipping into the
river.
The minister, being the most active,
was the first one to come up, and see
ing his advantage, was quick to seize
it, and in an instant he gathered
Beckett by the nape of the neck and
proceeded to duck him two or three
times, after which he said, still retain
his grip:
.'Mr. Beckett want your consent to
the marriage between Miss Higgins
and myself. Are you going to give it,"
"Never!" Beckett muttered.
"Then under you go again."
After two or three more duckings,
the minister asked again:
"Do YOU give inpn
"Never"
Then / shall have to repeat it,"
A few more plunges weakened the
old man, and he promised to sanction
the marriage.
That's not enough" the minister
went on. "You have her money, and
you must give it up. Do you promise
thatp"
"No, don't, and 1 won't. "Tll die
first"
"Then j shall have to put you under
and hold you under"
"For heavens sake. don't do that,
man! I'm drownded now"
Then you promiseP"
"Yes. promise"
"Will you swear itP"
"Yes-yes Let me out; I'm dying"
At that moment Dan Bunker and
Betty Higgins arrived.