Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-11-26
HIS DEVOTION.

sissippi river-the mother, Fannie and
the twins l throw in the younger chill
dren in 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 S would be suitors. for
they were always upon the spot just at
a moment otherwise opportune for Kat
rimonial proposals. Fannie was not
marrying girl, and she used to saE that
no one but herself realized how rauch
in the way Of relief she owed to those
blessed twins. The suitors also were
won't 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 tho deck The twins were
out Of range for once, and he thought
he was making good Roadway. But
ly in her heart Fannie was despislug
him for a 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 undisturbed by
bark of dog or remark of twin, He was
nearer the delcctable 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 qC"" ion.
just at that moment a shrill scream
pierced the sultry July air. Then hur-
rying and scurrying Of feet was heard.
Instantly ray of knowledge flashed its
way into Fannie's brain. Zone of the
twins is overheard - she said to her
self as sho sped down the near stairH
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 ton 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-tho pilot and a
sort of long legged handy Andy, 3"
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 a kid now and them"
1t hadn't occurred to Spider before,
but at the word Of command he loaped
from the pilothouso down into the wa
ter and struck out after tho dark spot
that was quite distant now
Hes too late. lie can catch her,
said a passenger.
ooh, get outr' said the captain.
'That cuss could overtako the boat that
started yesterday and beat her to New
Orleans.
The man SO dIsrespoctfully alluded to
was well along ON his way when the
crowd of passengers, who We're 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 "a 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 sohs.
The speck-it had become "a speck-
roso again, but Spider was still at Il
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 t. the Watchers a 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 a breath was drawn until he
rosc-without her!
80 God :" walled Fannie.
The dude put his arm around her or
she would have fallen.
Don't leave her." shouted the cap
tain through his speaking trumpet.
Don't turn back Get her Get herl
But Spider was swimming for the
nearest point ON shore.
With one accord the passengers-all
but the few who staid with the mother
rushed from the boat, which was
moored just there. Down the bank Of
the river they ran till they stood oppo-
site the struggling swimmer. He was
having q hard fight to get ashore. Evil
IDENTIFY he was badly spent. They could
understand then why he gave up hi'