Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-11-05
FROSTBURG, Md, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1898
"What pity he had to turn back 7"

said one
''He couldn't help it, said another
1.-THE poor chaps half dead himself" "
Great heavensn' shouted stout
man. Hes got herH
Sure enough, there held between his
knees, with a deathlike grip, was 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 wanderer She and
her family were about to 90 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 ii ciiy 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 tho 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 scraggy, but Lou had blossomed
into lovely, rounded out, softly tinted
girl, and some che 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 OH 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 a man who stood in the
shadow of the doorway, locking from
his grimy hands to the smooth. fair ex-
terror of the happy lover.
Nobody noticed him-there was toe
much going on-and he stood there, the
tears chasing each other down his face
and every now and then great sot
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 watchful and devoted
and they wonder where he is and why
he left them. Elizabeth Strong in Chi
cago Record