The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-12

curious ways, an don't biieyo he meant
no harm. oughtnt hev called him
thief"
Sopcr suddenly started to his feet, and,
shading his eyes with his hands, gazed up
the river.
ga fiddlsl" he cried. "out on the riyerl
heard 1t plain. There 1t Is aginP
sprang to his side and looked up the
stream at d black object to which he was
pointing. 1t was boat apd we could
see man sitting in its stern, rocking to
and fro Then heard a quick succession
of harsh, grating notes, low, but distinct,
and saw that the man was flddling.
"It's Petei' cried my companion.
"Thet's his playin, an thet's him. Look
ct the boat Why, 1t won't stay up an
hourW
The craftwas sunk low in the water and
was sweeping rapidly toward US on tho
turbulent stream, bnt tho fiddler seemed
unconscious of his danger, for he swung
to and fro in maudlin manner, running
his bow madly over the strings OF his III
strument.
"It's Pete's way" Soper exclaimed.
"He don't know what he's dom, fer he's
ben at the liquor agin."
As he spoke he stripped of his coat and
boots.
What arc you doingf" cried, soizing
his arm. "You arc not going out In such
q food!''
Tho boat WAS bearing rapidly toward
us. Every motion of its haudlin occu-
pant was now plainly discernible; every
note Of his aimless music was distinctly
audible
"Nawthin else to do" came the quiet
reply. "They's rocks an rapids below, an
tibet boat'ud never live through EN-"
With that Soper ran out into the river.
In moment he was over his depth. Then
he struck out into the stream. His was
not masters stroke. He beat the swiftly
flowing water convulsiyely with his hands
and seemed to be making almost superhu-
man efforts to reach point that he bo-
lieved the boat would pass. His progress
was slow, and the current bore him down
the river. His efforts would have been
vain had not the runaway craft taken q
sudden swerve toward him. 1t was al
most on him. Then 1 saw him raise his
long arm high above him and grasp tho
bow. Instantly the boat turned its nose
toward the shore, and l breathed more
freely.
Siders sprang from his place, and with
unsteady steps began to make his way to-
ward the man who was risking his own
life to save him. The craft gave quick
lurch over on one side so that the water
rushed in and almost filled 1t.
SECT downP' screamed.
"Let go there!" yelled Siders frantically.
"You'Il upset me, You foolP'
He raised his fiddle and struck wildly
at Soper. but his blow fell short of its
mark. He lost his balance and toppled
into the bottom of the boat, which righted
itself, but none too soon. Siders quickly
recovered and cautiously crawled forward.
'Git offer there!n-h yelled.
Soper made no answer, for he was al
most exhausted. He chung more desper.
ately to the craft, which was now within
100 feet Of tine shore. Tho fiddle whirled
through the air and crashed down on his
head. Still he chung on. With cry of
disappointment Siders fell into the bottom
Of the boat.
/ ran out into the water, seized the sink
ing craft and dragged it ashore. When he
heard the keel CRATE on tho gravel, Sam
Soper released hold and fell into my arms
unconscious / lifted him out on tho
bank. Across his forehead there was II
great cash, from which the blood flowed
freely.
Some men came tony did from neigh
boring field and helped mo to carry tho
injured man to his home, which stood u
few hundred yards back from tho river.
The wonderful Siders who had partially
recovered his senses by reason of his I'M
mersion, followed us. He explained that
he had spent the night fiddling at party
and had at daybroak started for his home.
The last thing that he remembered clearly
was getting into boat to cross tho river.
Whom Sam Sopor recovered conscious
ness, half hour later he asked for his
brothor-in-law, and as Sders sank into q
ohaiz ut his bedside he held out his hand
and said:
"Pete, think I'll go over tho river to
live again, fer low | was to blame"
# low you was too, Sam, mumbled
tho other, taking the proffered hand.
"But 1 don't bear you no spite. '--Ex-
chance