Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-02-22
THE BELLE OF CR0SSCUT.

Crosscut was river town, with all2that
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 hearts of those rude knights of the border.
It 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. a 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 graybeards 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 l don'tf' queried Casper, as the
simple fellow hesitated 81
II Yves going to say, if you don't, you'll
never git Nell Given. She'll marry the
champion, heard her say So"
'You dids' exclaimed the young log rum
ilCl. oiOil CuA14h ANcu WOulu ~ DdCh Ou
fellow that way think 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 Given's daugh-
ter, ard he was the wealthiest man in town,
while Casper hadn't anything save good com
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. I'm 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 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 en-
accomplished young lady now, and he felt
keenly his own awkwardness and want of
polish.
Bntii the morning fonti1e log contest Cross.
cuts champion did not know who was to be
his contestant gentleman from Chicago
had proclaimed in the colonels store that he
had a man who could beat the world on
log, and Col Given took exceptions to the
statement, at the same time declaring that
he would back man to the extent of $4,000
The Chicago gentleman, who was sweet on
the coloners daughter, good naturally re-
fused the bet, but, instead, offered to say no
more about certain debt the colonel had
contracted with him tMr Cotton, if his man
tthe colonelsD won the contest
''If my man wins, | hold you to the debt,
colonel, and" lowering his voice, you are
to speak q good word for me with Miss
Nell"
To this the colonel agreed, and a day was
set for the log rolling contest.
In passing the house of Col. Given on the
evening before the day set for the struggle,
Casper Fall saw Mr. Cotton and Nell On the
porch in earnest conversation. This was not
pleasant sight to the young man, and the
added words of half witted Jake served to
render Casper miserable.
Nell is only playing with my feelings"
he thought. ''She means to marry the Chi
cago man anyhow. and merely brings III my
name for a heartless joke. Well. I'll win the
contest, and then I'll leave Crosscut for good
I've nothing to keep me here only Jake, and
l am quite sure he's smart enough to take
care of himself"
Such were the bitter feelings that filed the
heart of the young log runner. He was toe
proud to go near the belle of Crosscut before
the contest, 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 heartless
woman.
A crowd of several hundred people gath
cred at the river bank above Col Given's
lumber mill on the 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
OSSSA ILL Solbous VI SalCuSO
At 10 O'Clock cheer went up as Casper
Fall stepped upon one of the logs and glanced
keenly over the multitude. His slender. We.
sinewy figure was set off by a close fitting
jacket and tights. On his feet he wore the
spiked shoes Of the log runner AS the
shouts went up, handkerchiefs were waved
by fair hands, and Fall saw Nell Given way
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 will be the last time, | can tell
EN- 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 a somersault and landed
safely within ten feet of Fall, coming I'D
bowling and smiling, like an acrobat in a cir
Gus. 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
antagonist. He was as supple as an eel, with
the dark face and fierce eyes OF q Spaniard
No doubt he had been a mataeor in the Span
sh arena, and Casper realized fiat le was to
win no easy victory.
'Readv!"
Col. Given uttered thecry The log ro.'ers
bowed. then a tremendous shout went mp
that made the heavens ring. and then the
contest began.
Ali such log spinning was never seen be-
fore at Crosscut. Backward, forward, with
the velocity of mill wheels the logs spun
under the feet of both men. Now and then
particularly good movement was cheered
loudly During the greater part OF the time,
however, q deep siisnce reignsd.
| Mr. Cotton rubbed his hands and smiled.
''My man will win. he congratulated him
self Hes too much for the Wolverine.
T.! seei wasn't that grand turns Don't you
sss, Miss Given, your champion - turing