The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-03-30
Spider

THEY were on their way up the Mis-
sissippi river-the mother, Fannie
and the twins. I throw in the younger
children in bunch, as it were, because
It takes too long to say Sue and Lou.
They were spoken of as twins by every
one, and everyone knew them.
Fannie was not marrying girl, and
1he used to say that no one but herself
realized how much in the way of relief
ahe owed to those blessed twins. The
suitors also were won't to bless the
twins, but in a somewhat different
spirit.
One of these suitors was on the boat
that day, and he and Fannie, ribbed
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 head
way.
But really in her heart Fannie was
despising him for fop; his immacu-
late clothes came first, SHE thought;
his viands next, bably; and, lastly,
with what little was left of him, his
character.
That particular day he walked up
his avenue Of approach, undisturb
by bark of dog or remark of twin. He
was nearer the delecta tai BILE mountains
than ever before. he realized, and his
heart thumped madly against his ir-
reproachable waistcoat as he opened
his mouth to ask the decisive question.
Just at that moment a shrill scream
pierced the sultry July air. Then a
hurrying and scurrying of feet was
heard Instantly a ray Of knowledge
flashed its way into Fannie's brain.
"One of the twins is overboard!" she
aaid to herself, as she sped down tho
near stairs and along the lower deck.
/. Just as she reached the bow of the
boat she saw q little skirt drawn in
by the suction Of the water between
the barge ION which most of the ex-
cursdonists we're embarked) and the
boat that drew 1t. Another moment
and the same little skirt, and a child's
face half hidden in her long. wet hair,
was borne by the swift waters out and
down the river.
Some one clung to the mother who
wanted to leap after her child. Little
Sue was wailing, and Fannie wiring
ing her hands and thinking how this
would never have happened had she not
been engaged. by that hateful dude.
From the pilot house two men leaned
and watched the child-the pilot and
sort Of longlegged 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 a kid now and then?"
1t hadn't occurred to Spider before,
but at the word Of command he leaped
from the pilot house, down into the
water and stuck out after the dark
spot that was quite distant now.
The man 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. Fannie's face was white and
strained, but she said not a word. The
dude stood near her, as silent and al
most as white as she.
The speck-it had become a speck-
rose again, but Spider was still at
distance. He was nearer now, but it
had sunk once more. Again it rose-if
only he could get there in time! But
what seemed to the watchers a waste
Of waters separated him from that lit
tie floating frock.
The captain had his field glass out
now, and he silently passed it around.
Spider was nearing the child. but be-
fore he could reach her she sank for
the last time. Down he went, and
think that hardly breath was drawn
until he rose-without heri
"Oh, God!" walled Fannie.
The dude put his arm around her or
she would have fallen.
Spider was swimming for the near
est point ON shore.
With one accord the passengers-
ell but the few who staid with the
mother-rushed from the boat which
was moored just there. Down the hank
Of the river they ran. till they stood
opposite the struggling swimmer.
He was having hard fight to Cet