The Somerset reporter., 1898-10-13
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 a 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 would be suitors, for
they were always upon the spot just at
q moment otherwise opportune for mat
rimonial proposals. Fannie was not a
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
what different spirit. One of these suit
ors was on 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 Roadway. But real
ly in her heart Fannie was despising
him fora 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 undisturbsd by
bark of dog or remark Of twin. He was
nearer the 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 sourrying of feet was heard
Instantly ray Of knowledge flashed its
way into Fannie's brain. lone of the
twins is overheard p 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 ION which most of the excursion
lists were embarked) and the boat that
drew it. Another moment and the same
little skirt, and child s 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 time. Every
body was running to see. Some one
chung 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
have happened had she not been engaged
by that hateful dude.
From the pilothouse two men leaned
and watched the child-the pilot and q
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 cant catch her,
said a passenger.
"Oh, get outP' said the captain.
THAT cuss could overtake the boat that
started yesterday and beat her to New
Orleans.
The man go unexpectedly alluded to
was we'll 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 a cry and was
borne half fainting into the nearest
cabin. Fannies 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 breath was drawn until he
without her
80 Godr' walled Fannie
The dude put his arm around her or
she would have fallen.
Don't leave heri" shouted the cap
tain through his speaking trumpet