The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-11-18

cottage. ii you like
"And get dose of cold lead in your
system as result" was the cheerful re-
joinder. We'll. you nigh, us we'll sacri-
flee yourself for the good of the cause.
If they shoot. tell them not to aim at
me-"
A window was raised in response to
the pounding on the door. What you
want? 'Spose I'm goin' to be walked up
al dees hour. Must think we ran wan ALI
night restaurant. I'm got wan gud
mind for to give you some leetle duck
shot" He had no opportunity. how
ever. for before he had finished there
was no one to shoot at.
Say. old man. there is no use of your
being so grouchy." sang out the re-
porter. II want a man to guide me to
Smiths coal dock"
You want me for to go de dack on
night like dees. No. sair. I'll not get
out dees house. Guess dees leetle mans
TOO wise for to go foolin' round de mash
in night time" he chuckled.
"Come. now. III give you dollar to
take us. and you can ride in the buggy.
~ WOIl 1 uOTc tAdu uOul'
"You don't get dees leetle man out
and rob her. Who be you. anyway"
I'm molder of public opinion on
the If you want that dollar, como
along. II you don't. say so. We haven't
much time to monkey with you."
WHATS dat you say? You give ME
dollar 10 go? Now dat makes becg deef-
renee. Why didn't you say so fore?" f,
In minute they were again started.
Their guide took the reins. He knew
the way perfectly. and drove at a rapid
trot. turned several times. and finally
said Now we are in de mash. We be
dare directly"
Say, are you not driving pretty fast
around these turns?" one of them VEN
tured as the horse was pulled on his
launches jus, in time to avoid running
into the marsh. which is anywhere from
seven to 1G feet deep. Oats all right.
Can't fool dees leetle man" But the
sentence was no, finished Suddenly
the wheels on the opposite side slipped
over the bank and in another moment
all would have been drowned in the
marsh if the horse had no, jumped
squarely around, in his fright. and
lurched forward, pulling the carriage
onto firm ground just in time to save
them.
Dat was one leetle 'scape." observed
the guide to the reporter.
Altogether too 'leetle.'" and he
reached for the reins. II call. It's too
early in the game for any more bluffs
like that. was in too much of hurry
to make arrangements with my under
taker, and I'm afraid that in their eager
ness my relatives might bungle mat
ters. There is one comfort. anyway,
will not be scooped. If the other paper
sends man out here, he'll never get out
of this swamp until the coroner has
viewed the body"
Presently in the distance could be
heard the putting of an engine. "Have
they an engine at the coal dock ?" asked
the leader.
II nevair heared of wan."
''Then that's the wrecker at work,
sure as fate. thought that sounded
like pump. Get up there" and the
horse jumped as the whip came down
upon him. This is good for two-col-
umn head this morning. Here, hold the
lines" and he sprang out of the car
riage. Twisting newspaper into
wad he lighted it and quickly examined
the road. There hasn't been soul
along tonight. I've got them scooped
sure. Won't they be sore, though, when
,h Err1
going to run the horse, marsh or no
marsh"
His companions held their breaths as
he drove at u gallop over the narrow
road. Now and then the fog would sud-
denly lift for a minute, and they would
see the dark water of the marsh peril
ously near. Then it would lower again
and as they swung from side.to side
each instant it seemed that they must
be dashed out of the buggy and into the
mire, where there would be absolutely no
escape from sutfocation in the Shiny
ooze. The instinct OF "a newspaper man
after news had gotten the better OF his
Judgment, and his companions heaved a
sigh of relief when the guide finally said
they must stop and proceed on foot.
Quickly tying the horse and hiding
the whip. they started over foot bridge
and along a narrow path toward the
dock The regular putting OF the
wrecker could be plainly heard now,
and in his impatience the reporter
would have left the others far behind
had not the warning Of the guide that
be would be drowned brought him to
. standstill. In<a moment they were
standing ON the coal dock.
sSro-,D - ~ vns. - ~ N 80 M land