Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-08-26
DEATH OF THE TERROR.
NOVEL REWARD OF THE RE-
TIRED SWAMPER.
He Barters His Daughters Hand for the
Head of an Alligator-A Pretty
Bride Won by the Slayer
of Monster.

clear for fresh water, and bordered
thickly with tall. crisp, green rushes,
intermixed with water lilies and
sweetly perfumed with flowers OF
every hue.
The only building that looks any
thing like a residence is neat cot
tagged owned and occupied by "A re-
tired swamper, Edwin Falkland and
his daughter Jess who is a pretty
brunette and the belle of Rush
bayou. her smiles and saucy glances
played havoc with the hearts of the
boys and made them desperate to
visit her; but her father is tribe
tony" therefore triAe above those
around him. and for that reason did
not permit any of the young men to
visit her although she was on speak
ing terms with them all But love
finds way in spite OF bolts and bars.
George Horton was a promising
young man. whom Edwin Falkland adj
mired a good deal. but did not think
him quite good enough for his son-in-
law. He never invited him TO the
house, but Jess loved him. and they
managed 10 see each other now and
then and indulge in a little love- max
ing unknown to her father.
Now in the Rush bayou and viclni-
ty there was very unpopular inhabit-
ant in the shape Of an alligator of a
size not seen before by any OF the peo-
pie says the correspondent of the
Philadelphia Times. He was sly and
cunning as a fox, and more dangerous
than any other had ever been in tho
different bayous. He had an enor-
nous appetite. which he tried to ap-
pease BY catching every pig and fowl
that dared venture near the waters
edge. Men watched day and night
with the hope of killing him, but
without success.
Edwin Falkland raised number of
fowls and took great pride in his tur-
i,1.ays ducks and geese-and so did
1.-The Terror OF tine Nation.
He built a large pen. in which was
pool. but there was nothing like a
bath in fresh. cool water and the
ducks and geese knew it. and in spite
OF his precautions they slipped out
some times and went for a swim and
some OF them were sure to make n
meal for that'alligator. One morning,
after George and Jess had been loving
each other for a year, George called
upon her father 10 ask for her the
second time and his mind was made
up what he'd DO in case he was re.
fused.
George Looked determined. and the
cid man noticed IT aud fearing that
the pair would take matters in their
own hands he listened TO Georges
plans and wishes then told him that
he had lost eight of his newly Matched
ducks and five goslings that morning
by The Terror " and if he killed
and brought The Terror" to hiIl
Jess was his George consented at
once. He knew it would be no easy
or pleasant undertaking. but Jess was
worth the trial.
One night on the dark OF the moo n
| George borrowed a half dozen rifles.
! bought a snowy gander. got into his
pirogue and drifted down the bayou
to one of the alligators most frequent
haunts Here he dropped anchor
pouring pine tar around his dugout so
that he couldn't be scented. then tied
rope around the gander. throwing
the other end around snag and let
him swim out the slack. after which
the gander quietly Aoated on the
water, while George sat motionless
with his hand on his rifle.
A little later the gander tucked his
head under his wing and slumbered.
and so both remained until nearly
! bre9k OF day. when the Camden
awakening and feeling n little queer
out there alone tapped his wings
! splashed his feet and squawked then
stretched his legs and became quiet
again.
George listened with his head near
the water and down the bayou he
heard a low. long cultural groan.
which he at once knew 10 be the alli-
gator. His heart thumped like q
sledge- hammer but he was ready
for him. In few moments the
gander quacked again then dark
body Hoated nearer and nearer. threw
open pair OF great red jaws and
was about to draw the white feath-
cred quacker under when bullet
vent through his scaly skin.
He plunged under then rose for
another attempt at his prey. throwing
his whole body above the water. and
bullets few like lightning into it In
his struggles he had wound himself
up in the slack rope and having
little strength LETT his weak attempts
at freedom were useless so George
towed h m ashore.
The report OF the rife brought 9
crowd down TO the bank. and every
man lent hand toward pulling the
Terror up the bank and to the very
door of Edwin Falkland s house.
George Horton was flushed with
pride and happiness Every man.
woman aid child shook hands with
him. Old Falkland Rugged him. lee
out his blushing daughter and pre-
sented her to him with flow o.
eloquence. The little maiden TOUCHED
modestly her cherry lips to those lcsl
shapely ones beneath Georges homelJ
mustache. while wild cheers echoed
through the woods and rivers for tn,
\ hero.