The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-01-06

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
st1ayed 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 l had thought to put in a
life preseryer. It's half past one, and
we have probably three miles to go vet"
he said, as he lighted match and
looked at his watch.
Their horse stumbled on something
end investigation showed that they had
crossed the railroad track. Finally he
trotted on some planks, and they were
on the Rouge river bridge.
''We might just as we'll 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 will have an extra death notice
tomorrow, and l haven't always been
good" he added, grimly.
II 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.
II 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
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-
porter. Il want man to guide me to
Smiths coal dock"
"Iou want me for to go de dack on
night like dees. No, sair. I'll not get
out dees house. Guess dees leetle mans
too wise for to go foolin' round de mash
in night time," he chuckled.
Come, now, III give you dollar to
take us, and you can ride in the buggy.
l. won't take more than an hour"
"You don't get dees leetle man out
and rob her. Who be you, anywayY
Pm a molder of public opinion on
the -. If you want that dollar, come
along. If you don't, say SO. We haven't
much time to monkey with you"
whats dat you say? You give me a
dollar to go? Now dat makes beeg deef-
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 a rapid
| trot, turned several times, and finally
| said: Nov 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. "Dat's all right
| Can't fool dees leetle man" But the
sentence was not finished. Suddenly
the wheels on the opposite side slipped
over the bank and in another moment
all would have been drowned in the
marsh if the horse had not jumped
| squarely around, in his fright, and
lnrched forward, pulling the carriage
onto firm ground just in time to save
| them.
'Dat was one leetie 'scape," observed
the guide to the reporter.
| "Altogether too .leetle,'" and he
reached for the reins. II call. It's toe
early in the game for any more bluffs
like that. was in too much of hurry
to make arrangements with my under
taker, and I'm afraid that in their eager
ress my relatives might bungle mat
ters. There is one comfort, anyway
will not be scooped. If the other paper
sends man out here, he'll never get out
of this swamp until the coroner ha:
viewed the body"
Presently in the distance could bt
heard the putting of an engine. ''Hav,
they an engine at the coal dock % asked
the leader.
| II nevair heared of wan"
"Then that's the wrecker at work
sure as fate. l thought that sounded
like pump. Get up there" and th'
horse jumped as the whip came dowr
upon him. This is good for two-col
umn head this morning. Here, hold tn,
lines" and he sprang out of the car
riage. Twisting newspaper into ;
wad he lighted it and quickly examined
the road. There hasn't been sou
along tonight. I've got them scoopet
sure. Won't they be sore, though, whel
| they see three-column account. In
going to run the horse, marsh or NJ
marsh
His companions held their breaths a
he drove at gallop over the narrow
road. Now and then the fog would sud
denly lift for minute, and they woult
see the dark water of the marsh peril
ously near. Then it would lower agail
and as they swung from side to sid
each instant it seemed that they mus
be dashed out of the buggy and into th
mire, where there would be absolutely n,
escape from suffocation in the slim,