Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-12-22
HIS DEVOTION.

They were on their way mp tho Mis-
6issippi rivor--tho mother, Fannio and
che twins. throw in tho younger chill
dren in bunch, as it were, because it
takes too long say Sue and Lou.
They wero spoken of as tho twins by
every ono, and oyory ono know thom.
THOR personality was particularly ia.
miliar to Fannio's would bo suitors, for
they were always upon tho spot just at
% moment otherwise opportune for mat
rimonial proposals. Fannie WIS not q
marrying girl. and she used to say that
no ono but horsolf realized how much
IN the way Of relief sho owed to those
blessed twins. Tho suitors also woro
wont to bless the twins but in q somo.
what different spirit Ono Of these suit.
ors was on the boat that worry day, and
he had Fannio "oribbed and confined"
as 1t were, in ono corner Of deserted
quarter Of the deck. The twins wore
out OF range for once, and he thought
no was making good Roadway. But real
Iy III her heart Fannie was despisinR
him for fop. His immaculate clothes
camo 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. Ho was
nearer tho doleotablo mountains than
over before, ho realized, and his heart
thumped madly against tho irroproach-
able waistcoat as he opened his mouth
to ask tho decisive question.
just at that moment q shrill scream
pierced tho sultry July air. Then hur-
rying and sourrying Of feet was heard.
Instantlya ray of knowledge flashed it's
way into Fannio's brain. "Ono Of tho
twins is overboardr' sho said to hor-
solf ae sho spod down tho near stairs
and along the lower deck.
just as she reached tho bow Of tho
boat she SAW little skirt drawn in by
tho suction Of tho water botwoon the
barge (on which most Of tho excursion
lists woro embarkcd) and tho boat that
drew 1t. Another moment and tho samo
littlo skirt, and q ohild's face, half hid
den i'll her long, wet hair, was borno by
the swift waters out and down tho
xiver
Lou had fallen overheard.
Thore was chaos for q timo Eyery-
body was running to 500 Some ono
chung to tho mother, who wanted to
leap after hor child. Little Suo was
wailing and Fannie wringing hor hands
and thinking how this would mover
hayo hnnponed had she :.ot 5oon onsasoI
by that hateful dude.
From tho piloGhouso two men leaned
and watched tho child-tho pilot and O
sort Of long legged "handy Andy,
known on board as Spider.
"Why don't you savo her, Spidor2"
said the pilot. "Jump in, man. What's
Sho use of your swimming prizes if you
can't save q kid now and then?''
1t hadn't occurred to Spider before,
but at tho word Of command no loaped
from tho pilothouso down into tho wa.
tor and struck out after tho dark spot
that WAS quito distant now.
"He's too late. He can't catch hor,"
said q passenger.
"Oh, get outi" said tho captain.
''That ouss could overtako tho boat that
started yesterday and beat her to Now
Orleans"
Tho man so disrespootfully alluded to
was we'll along on his way when tho
crowd OF passengers, who wero straining
their eyos down tho river, saw tho dark
somebhing on tho surface Of tho water
sink
Tho mother uttered cry and was
borne half fainting into tho nearest
cabin. Fannio's faco was whito and
strained, but she said not word. Tho
dude stood near hor as silont and almost
ns whito as she Indeed thoro was no
noise on board just then savo tho sound
Of little Sues sobs.
The speck-it had become spcclt-
rose again, but Spider was still at
distance Ho was nearer now, but it
had sunk OnCo moro. Again it rose If
only no could got thero in timo But
what seemed to tho Watchers waste Of
waters separated him from that littlo
floating frock.
The captain had his heldglass out
now, and no silently passed it around.
Spider was nearing tho child, but before
he could reach her she sunk for tho last
eime. Down no went, and think that
hasdly o breath was drawn until no
roso---without horl
go Godp walled Fannio.
Tho dude put his arm around hor or
ehe would have fallen.
"Don't leave horl" shouted tho can
tain through his speaking trumprt.
''Don't turn backi Get hcri Got horp'
But Spider was swimming for tho
nearest point on shore.
With ono accord tho passrngors--all
but tho fow who staid with tho mother
rushed from tho boat, which was
just thoro. Down tho bank Of
the river thoy ran till they stood oppo-
site tho struggling swimmer. Ho was
having hard fight to got ashore. Eyi-
danklX hn p1aa hadlu nnnnt phnu nnnld |