Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-11-05
HIS DEVOTION.

They were on their way up the Mis-
sissippi river-the mother, Fannie and
the twins. | throw in the younger chill
dren in bunch, as it were, because it
takes too long to say Sue and Lou
They were spoken Of as the twins by
every one, and every one knew them.
Their personality was particularly ia
miliar to Fannie's would be suitors, for
they were always upon the spot just at
a moment otherwise opportune for mat
rimonial proposals. Fannie was not
marrying girl and she used to say that
no one but herself realized how much
in the way of relief she owed to those
blessed twins. The suitors also were
wont to bless the twins, but in some
ors was OH the boat that very day, and
he had Fannie "cribbed and confined" "
as it were, in one corner of deserted
quarter of the deck The twins were
out Of range for once, and he thought
he was making good headway. But real
ly in her heart Fannie was despising
him for fop His immaculate clothes
came first. she thought; his viands
next, probably, and, lastly, with what
little was left of him, his character
That particular day he walked up his
avenue of approach undisturbed by
bark of dog Or remark of twin He was
nearer tho delectable mountains than
ever before, he realized, and his heart
thumped madly against the irreproach
able waistcoat as he opened his mouth
to ask the decisive question.
Just at that moment shrill scream
pierced the sultry July air Then a hur
rying and scurrying Of feet was heard
Instantly ray Of knowledge flashed it's
way into Fannie's brain. lone of the
twins is overboard" she said to her
self as she sped down the near stairs
and along the lower deck
Just as she reached the bow of the
boat she saw little skirt drawn in by
the suction of the water between the
barge (on which most of the excursion
lists were embarked) and the boat that
drew it. Another moment and the same
little skirt, and child face, half hid
den in her long, wet hair, was borne by
the swift waters out and down the
river
Lou had fallen overheard.
There was chaos for q time Every
body was running to see. Some one
clung to the mother. who wanted to
leap after her child. Little Sue was
wailing and Fannie wringing her hands
and thinking how this would never
by that hateful dude
From the pilothouse two men leaned
and watched the child-the pilot and
sort of long legged "handy Andy"
known on board as Spider
why don't you save her, Spider?'
said the pilot Jump in, man. What's
the use of your swimming prizes if you
can't save kid now and them"
1t hadn't occurred to Spider before,
but at the word of command he leaped
from the pilothouse down into the wa.
ter and struck out after the dark spot
that was quite distant now
He's too late He can't catch her.
said a passenger.
"Oh. get out!" said the captain.
THAT cuss could overtake the boat that
started yesterday and beat her to New
Orleans.
The man SO disrespectfully alluded to
was well along ON his way when the
crowd of passengers, who were straining
their eyes down the river, saw the dark
something on the surface of the water
sink
The mother uttered cry and was
borne half fainting into the nearest
cabin. Fannie's face was white and
strained, but she said not word The
dude stood near her as silent and almost
as white as She Indeed there was no
noise on board just then save the sound
of little Sues sobs
The speck-it had become a speck-
rose again, but Spider was still at a
distance. He was nearer now, but it
had sunk once more Again it rose-if
only he could get there in timel But
what seemed to the watchers waste of
waters separated him from that little
floating frock
The captain had his fieldglass out
now, and he silently passed it around
Spider was nearing the child, but before
he could reach her she sunk for the last
time Down he went, and think that
hardly a breath was drawn until he
rose-without herl
30 God!" walled Fannie.
The dude put his arm around her or
she would have fallen.
Don't leave her!" shouted the cap
tain through his speaking trumpet.
Don't turn back! Get her! Get her!''
But Spider was swimming for the
nearest point on shore.
With one accord the passengers-all
but the few who staid with the mother
rushed from the boat, which was
moored just there. Down the bank of
the river they ran till they stood oppo-
site the struggling swimmer He was
having hard fight to get ashore. Evil
IDENTIFY he was badly spent. They could
understand then why he gave up his
search He was obliged to get to shore
or to abandon himself as we'll as the
child.
The passengers had felt angry with
him-especially those who had done
least-for turning back alone but when
they realized his condition they became
anxious lest the swift current should
claim him too
Slowly he worked his way along un.
til he neared the shore; then strong
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