The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1898-01-08

WQeCQer tlcy were uedT OI 1dI 1IOui lt5
frowning walls. Once breath of wind
for moment lifted the thick veil of
fog, and they saw, not three feet away,
the waters OF the Rouge river floating
silently and swiftly toward the larger
stream farther on. The horse had
strayed from the road, and another step
or two would have taken them into the
black waters. With muttered adjur-
alton the reporter climbed out of the
buggy and led the horse back to the
road. wish I.had thought to put in a
life preserver. It's half past one, and
we have probably three miles to go YETI
lie said, as he lighted a match and
looked at his watch.
Their horse stumbled on sonnet hing
end investigation showed that they had
crossed the railroad track Finally he
trotted on some pIanks, and they were
on the Rouge river bridge.
ssWe might just as wen stop unless we
can find somebody who knows the road
perfectly" the newspaper man said. If
we try to go through that swamp the
paper viii have an extra death notice
tomorrow, and I haven't always been
good" he added, grimly.
81 will try and wake somebody in this
cottage, if you like"
"And get dose of cold lead in your
system as result, was the cheerful re-
ioinder. ''Well, you might as well 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
at dees hour. Must tink we ran wan all
4 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-
fporter. 81 want 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 Ieetle mans
too wise for to go foolin round de mash
in night Time" he chuckled.
Come, now, I'll give you dollar to
take us, and you can ride in the buggy.
I. won't take more than an. hour"
aYou 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 hatdollar come
/ along. Ii you don't, say So. We haven't
much time TO monkey with you"
whats dat you say? You give me
dollar to go? Now dat makes beeg deef-
4 renee Why didn't you say SO 'fore?'
In minute they were again started.
Their guide took the reins. He knew
the way perfectly, and drove at 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 just in time to avoid running
into the marsh, which is anywhere from
seven to 16 feet deep Oats all right
i Can't fool dees leet1e man But tns
sentence was not finished. Suddenly
j the wheels on the opposite side slipped
over the bank and in another momen
all would have been drowned in The
marsh if the horse had not jumped
souarely around, in his fright, ant
tlurched forward, pulling the carriage
onto firm ground just in time to saw
! them.
.Dat was one leetle 'scape,' observed
the guide to the reporter.
Altogether too 'leetle,' and h
| reached for the reins. I call. Its to-
] early in the game for any more bluff
, like that. was in too much OF hurr.
: to make arrangements with my under
taker. and I'm afraid that in their eager
ness nv relatives might bungle mat
t ters. There is one comfort, anyway
, 7 will not be scooped. If the other pape
sends a man out here, he'll never get on
: - this swamp until the coroner ha
j viewed the body.
n Presently in the distance could Q
ard the pulling Of an engine Hav
! thev an engine at thecoal docz91 she'
J the leader.
at neyair heared Of wan"
! .sThen that's the wrecker at WORK
snre as fate. thought that sounde'
4 like a pump. Get up there and tn
horse jumped as the whip came dow
, unon him. ssThis is good for tWo-col
umn head this morning. Here, hold IN
Hines" and he sprang out OF the cai
, r;age. Twisting newspaper INTO
t wad he lighted it and quickly examine
. the road. ssThere hasn't been sol
along tonight. I've got them SCOPE
sure. Won't they be sore, though, VINE
thew see a three-column account II
E Going to run the horse, marsh OF u
/ marsh" 4,,
! His companions held their breatns as
: he drove at gallop over the nal 70
), road. Now and then the log Wouiu su :,
1 denly lift for minute, ana 1ne sh w ,,eri
: 800 tbe dark water of the marsh PEI.
see sell ~ near. Then it would lower agar
: and as they swung from side e SO
each instant it seemed that they mus
e he dashed out Of the buggy ana INTO ITO = J,
! ,r;res where there would be absolu1e,y z
: a sr.s & s from suffocation II the slim
! e'oze. The IN stinct Of e newspaper ma
after news had gotten the better OF g
q 1~v,enf and his companions heaved