The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-12-16
MY NEPHEW. WILLIE TANNER.

Bert TANNER 6tOOu on the Dill among
the group OF men who had gathered
about the one store Of the fishing settle.
ment. 1t was early spring on the Maine
coast, and the ice was still in the Reach.
The group were watching the movements
OF a coot. hunter on an island mile from
the mainland. There was look OF un.
easiness on Bert'e face as he watched the
figure crawling among the rocks, and he
occasionally cast furtive glances at the
faces OF the others, az though expecting
them to hear something that he could
not, for Bert was quite deaf.
Bert was said to be only 'half-bright"
by the natives. He was silent fellow
who never in any way showed resent.
ment at the rude practical jokes played
upon him or the broad jests made at his
expense. He refused to fsh or to Ion
ster, but epent his time prowlipg over
the islands after coot, wild duck, and
other sea. birds that came in. On the
rare occasions when he spoke it wac
either Of bis shotgun or "my nephew,
Willie Tanner" as he proudly called him.
what seems to be ailin' on you,
Bert?" some one shouted in Berts ear,
noting his restlessness. Bert only look.
ed foolish and shook his head. A sharp
explanation broke from one Of the men.
Bert heard it, and look Of fear csmo
into his vacant blue eyes az he stared
into their faces. A cracking sound Of
several seconds duration was heard.
This was followed by shorter. sharper
sounds. The broad expanse of glitter.
ing ice between the island and the main
land began to move slowly, ripping and
tearing itself loose from the shore with q
noise like succession Of pistol shots.
The hunter on the island had grasped
the situation as quickly as the group on
the hill. The watchers saw him, gun in
hand, bound over the rocks to the shore.
They saw him hesitate, and then jump
from the shore upon cake Of ice that
was drifting slowly by. The men
watched breath!essly. There was silly
grin Of terror on Bert's face. The hunter
jumped from cake to cake. drifting lit
tie, then gathering himself for another
leap when the opportunity came
LEI he slips of one O them chunks
he's done fer" said one Of the group.
Slowly the hunter was making his
perilous way to the main sheet Of ice; q
leap or two more and he would reach 1t.
The mass was moving swifter, for the
wind had freshened from the west, driv-
ing 1t out to sea. The hunter had 0been
drifting upon one cake for minute or
90, watching his chance to get on the
main ice. They saw the gap widen in.
stead Of close. The hunter threw bis
gun ahead OF him, where it fell upon the
main ice; then they saw him remove bis
coat and throw it after the gua., They
watched him gather himself together
for q mighty leap. and their hearts stood
still. He ross 10 the air and apparently
landed upon the ice in safety. A ring.
ing shout went up from the lusty lungs
OF the fishermen. 1t was followed by q
shrill cry of despair from over the ice.
A chunk Of the main ice had broken a.
way and the hunter had fallen through
the assure. disappearing in the black
water beneath.
Bert gave frenzied cry like that Of
an animal 10 pain. Its my nephew.
Willie Tanner!" he shrieked.
They ran down the steep hill to the
shore. but Bert outetripped them all.
His thick.soled. clumsy boots, run over
at both heels and hard from salt water.