The Somerset reporter., 1898-10-13

nearest point on shore.
With one accord the passengers-al
but the few who staid with the mother
rushed from the boat, which WI
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 well 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 "A strong
hand laid hold of him, for the dude had
waded out up to his very neck and was
bringing the exhausted swimmer in.
Two or three other men laid hold when
he got to shore and helped drag him
out of the water. He was powerless to
help himself.
What pity he had to turn baokW
said one.
He couldn't help it, y" said another
1.-THE poor chaps half dead himself "
Great heavensi" shouted a stout
man. He's got heri"
Sure enough, there, held between his
knees, with deathlike grip, was a lit
tie figure shrouded in wet calico and
long wet hair
You'd have thought the people had
gone mad if you had heard them The
dude was working over Spider and
cheering and yelling as he worked;
Fannie was on her knees, and the twin
ran back and forth, from Spider to the
other twin, who was standing on her
head, while they slapped and pumped
her without mercy.
There was nothing equal to the en-
during quality of those twins. You
couldn't kill one of them. That day,
even before Spider came to himself, Lou
was on her feet again, walking back to
the boat, escorted by an immense body
guard of rejoicing people.
The next thing on the programme
was to reward Spider. AS he wouldn' t
touch cent of money that was diff
cult matter After some inquiry Mrs
Trencher learned that although of good
family and we'll educated Spider was by
nature and habit a wanderer. She and
her family were about to go out to Colo
RADIO for a trip, and in lieu of anything
better offered the man the chance of 60
ing with them. Somewhat to her sur
prise he joyfully accepted, and ere long
they and he were under way. On their
return from the mountains he petitioned
to come with them, promising to cook
or do anything else that was useful, and
all for small wage if only they would
keep him with them.
why, Spider" said Mrs. Trencher,
"a young man like you, born and edu-
Gated for something better, ought not to
fill such position.
IF didn't, I'd be in worse one.
It's in me to go down, not up. I've led
straighter life with you folks than
ever knew before. "
The upshot of it all was that for ten
years Spider was one Of the family-an
invaluable member, too-cook, house
keeper, laundress, caterer, secretary
nurse-everything.
He had plenty to do just now, for a
family wedding was on foot Sue was
still soraggy, but Lou had blossomed
into lovely. rounded out softly tinted
girl, and some enc had discovered this,
as men will, and made love to her, and
she had made love back. They were to
be married tonight, and Spider was get
ting ready for it all Fannie was help
ing on every side. She was Mrs Dude
now and was remarkably fastidious
about her dress, as became one of that
name.
The wedding was simple home af
fair. The family wanted Spider to come
in and sit with them, but he refused,
He acted strangely that day anyhow,
but no doubt he was tired.
1t was all over-that is, the knot was
tied, and the fresh faced girl was look
ing up into the eyes of her husband
with the lovelight which links this
world to heaven. All were chatting and
laughing and congratulating the young
couple-all but man who stood in the
shadow of the doorway looking from
his grimy hands to the smooth, fair ex-
terror of the happy lover.
Nobody noticed him-there was too
much going on-and he stood there, the
tears chasing each other down his face
and every now and then a great sob
convulsing his strong chest
When at last the family remembered
and ran out to find him and fetch him
in, he was gone.
They tell about him today-how
faithful he was, how constant in his
care of Lou. how watohful and devoted
and they wonder where he is and why
he left them. Elizabeth Strong in Chi
cago Record.
A PrOvidential Escape.
In Manitoba Memories Rev.