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

Crosscut was river town, with al
that the name implies. Log runner
and millionaires mingled on an equa
footing. There was no caste in Cross
cut. May the best man win, was tn,
motto of her citizens, and a genuin,
love OF fair play dominated the heart!
of those rude knights of the border.
1t was sprlngtime The log driv,
had passed Crosscut. The rougl
crowd of river men was gone and thu
old time quiet reigned again in the
town. However, log rolling con-
test was at hand, and the people from
the surrounding settlements began tc
gather at an early hour
Crosscut's champion was Casper
Fall. He was young, an athlete ol
the woods, and the pride not only ol
the graybeards of the town, but of the
younger men and maids as we'll.
you must win, Casper said Jake
the athletes half-witted brother. II
you don't
well, if l don't?' queried Casper,
as the simple fellow hesitated.
4 was going to say, if you don't,
you'll never git Nell Given. She'll
marry the champion; heard her say
So
You did?' exclaimed the young log
Eunner. Il didn't think Nell would
60 back on fellow that way. | think
a few brains, as we'll as Drawn, ought
to weigh something in 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 daughter, and he was the
richest man in town, while Casper
kadn': anything save good common
sense, strong arms and an energetic
nature. He might never have met
Nell but for the fact that they both
attended the same school, and as chill
dren, boy and girl, were enthusiastic
friends 'l'll 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 the compact
was sealed. AS they grew older, the
two drifted apart, naturally enough,
and when the old colonel sent his
daughter to Chicago to ayoung ladies
school, the breach widened immense.
iy. 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
an accomplished young lady now, and
he felt keenly his own awkwardness
and want of polish.
Until the morning for the log con-
sest Crosscut's champion did not know
who was to be his contestant A gen
tleman from Chicago had proclaimed
in the Colonels store that he had a
man that could beat the world on a
log, and Col. Given took exceptions to
the statement, at the same time de-
Glazing that he would back man to
the extent of $4,000.
The Chicago gentleman, who was
sweet On the Colonel's daughter, good
aaturedly refused the bet, nut, in
stead, offered to say no more about q
certain debt the Colonel had contract
cd with him (Mr. Colton) if his man
(the Colonels) won the contest.
If my man wins, l hold you to the
debt, Colonel, and lowering his voice,
you are to speak good word for me
with Miss Nell.
To this the Colonel agreed, and a
day was set for the Jog rolling con-
test.
In passing the house of Col. Given
on the evening before the day set for.
the struggle, Casper Fall saw Mr.. Col
ton and Nell on the porch in earnest
conversation. This was not q pleas.
ant'sight for the young man, and the
added words of half witted Jake
served to render Casper miserable.
Nell.is only playing with my feel.
ings, he thought. She means to
Warrw the. Chicago man anvhow. and