Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-05-19
Spider

SlSslppl river the IHotHcls ANNE
and the twins | throw in the younger
children in a bunch, asst 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 a marrying girl, and
she used to say that no one but herself
realized how much in the way Of relief
she owed TO those blessed twins. The
suitors also were wont 10 bless the
twins but in a somewhat different
spirit.
One of these suitors was on the boat.
that day, and he and Fannie, "cribbed
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 a fop; his immacu-
late 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, undlsturbed
by bark of dog or remark of twin. He
was nearer the delectable mountain.
than ever before, he realized. ard 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 Faunies brain.
"One Of the twins is overheard" she
said 10 herself. a. she sped down the
near stairs 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 con which most Of the ex-
curSionists were embarlled) and the
boat that drew IT, Another moment
and the same little skirt and child's
face half hidden in her lorg. wet hair.
was borne by the swift watcrsout and
down the river.
Some one chung TO the mother. who
wanted 90 leap after her child. Little
Sue Was waiting. 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 a
sort Of long-legged Handy Andy"
known on board rs spider"
why don't you save her, Spider?"
said the pilot. Jump insman! What's
the Use of your swimming prizes if you
cant save a kid now and theu?"
II hadn't occurred TO Spider before.
but at the word of command he lcaped
from the pilot house, down into the
water and stuck out after the dark
spot that was quite distant now.
The man was well 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
III ~ 10 ildA DttOlllt "a sIlttk-
rose again. but Spider was still at
distance. He was nearer now. but IL
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 vert, and
think that hardly breath was drawn
until he rose-without her!
"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 PASSENGER
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
OPPOSITE the struggling swimmer.
He 6 e~inF 2 hard fight to get