The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-04-16
THEY Hoped ON A RAFT.
A LUMB MAN STEALS HIS BRIDE
FROM Her FATHERS s0AT.

WAS Oul5 Spiteful.
a lurnb man dressed in woodsman
style came iurriedly into the union de-
pot Leaning on his arm was a pretty
girl about yhteen years old. Her pant
ing brea,, and fiery cheeks gave evil
dence OF Der excitement, which was
aeeminSlT made more intense by their
Eapid walking. Following them was an
other lmuOerman, more nervous than
the first, Ho seemed to be on guard,
anu kept his eyes turned toward the
rear ranks. He said nothing until his
proteges were on board the day express
for the east. A few minutes afterward
an older man, with an air of business,
elbowed his way through the crowd and
confronted the woodsmaa.
They started an animated conversation
about the couple who had Just boarded
the train, and for Il few moments it
seemed that Il fight would take place.
Kindly advice from bystander saved
them from the officers, however, and
the two walked off together. Later in
the day the older man appeared at the
depot and bought a ticket to Brad's
Bend, on the Allegheny Valley railroad.
he was approached by reporter and
readily consented to tell the story.
His name was Andrew Myers. Tho
girl who had been carried off by the I'M
3outh woodsman was a daughter of
Myers. They had eloped from her
ather's lumber raft. The daring act
look place near Brady's Bend, and was
the browning act of romance made ex-
citing by determined lover, an irate
father and faithful girl, whose respect
for her fathers wishes had hitherto pre-
vented a clandestine marriage.
FATHER AND LOVER FIGHT.
The trio live on the Clarion river near
Darlington. They are well known in
the lumber country. The younger mans
name is Frank Snyder. He is prosper
GUS in the woods, and is considered a
good business man, but he is rough in
his way, and for that reason was not con-
sldered by Myers fit to be his daughters
lover. Miss Myers thought differently,
however, and for a year insisted on re-
celvng the attentions Of Snyder. Never
theless she refused to elope with her
lover, and would only answer "wait."
The rafting season on the Clarion river
commenced Both Myers and Snyder
lAd timber 10 to market, and were
= constantly .hr,Nn in each others way
at the ryor bank. When the RATS were
nearly ready 90 e started they acct
de'aiy commenced talking about Miss
Myers Kindly Epressions led to insin-
uaIous and tu-.. war of words, which
was quickly ia.lwed by Il blow from
Myers. ~ mol. o. t more and both were
1oilur IN the mud. They were soon
separated. bu. u9t until Snyder had
made vow 20 get the girl. Myers
heard the words I'D became equally de-
ternined that hs enemy should never
be his sou-iu law
A few hours more and both were to
start down the I. Myers was afraid
TO leave his lo1r er behind, and giving
rs ~ excuse che a'atement that he want
I'D her to {. .or the men, he brought
her on the raft and gave her quarters in
the rough shanty which is frequently |
built on large flats. Snyder saw the OBJ
ject of Myers move. and when the lat |
ter pulled out with his raft Snyder quick
ly followed with his own.
PAPA COMES TOO LATE.
Both RATS arrived at Brady's Bend
shortly after 6 o'clock Saturday night.
Myers pulled in to tie up for the night
and when about to land Snyder's raft |
came up. He was acting as pilot him
self, and, seeing Miss Meyers standing
on the river edge of her fathers raft, he |
ordered his men to pull in such a way
that his own raft ran close to that of
Mo-ors When at the nearest point he !
jumped rom his oar, grabbed the young
girl, aud, as he leaped back, yelled at
Lis mon ID pull into the current. 1t was
. Uarin; act, but Snyder had been vic
toriola, and found no trouble in per-
suad'lg Hiss Myers to give her consent |
to their marriage when the opportunity |
came II, knew Myers would follow,
hoWey r, nd to make sure their escape |
ne dltgga ned to run at night.
They alrived at Sharpsburg next
morning Meantime Myers had come to
Pittsour-, and was waiting at Hers
island for Snyder and his game. But
they didn't come They guessed what
no you'd do, and left him down the
river Will. they went to Union depot ON
; cable car. Myers heard of this trick
about 1870 nd went to intercept it, but
lc was TOO ate The woodsman he met
al Ualou pot explained the occurrence
leading lie flight, and told Mr.. Myers
taat .n0g ere going to Camden, N. j.,
20 get uawed.
mr. Myers was still angry when seen
at tup Home hotel. He confessed that
Snyder was a suitable man for any SEN
sole giyi. and his chief grievance seemed
to be that his daughter should go on
bridal tour with man whose wedding
outfit would startle civilization. Never
theless he admitted that Snyder had bet
ter clothes at home, and his last remark
was that if Snyder had made much
money lately he would forgive him.
Pittsburg Cor. Oil City Derrick.