Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-02-16
SAVANNAH, TENNESSEE, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1900

four minutes. Second, from globe TO
globe il was 45N feet. The walk works
out, as nearly as need be, 30 yards per
minute, one mile per hour, "a miles
per day, 16S miles per week. Third,
lie had to carry about three tons of
bullion in 10000 installments in one
week.
"The eventful day arrived and lit
tie before ten we were all assembled
in the gymnasium. Schmidt was
dressed in fanpels and wore light ard
easy-htting slippers. Promptly at ten
o'clock Prudden, after wishing
Schmidt success, handed the referee
the key which released the spring ahI
set the machinery in motion, and the
silver began TO flow.
For five days and nights Schmidt's
very exceptional athletic ability and
his splendid condition enabled him to
stand the strain without it having very
much apparent effect upon him. On
the sixth day we noticed that the
deadly, dreary monotony was fast tell
ing its tale. He spoke but rarely,
but on one occasion burst out with:
"'This is an invention of the evil one
himself. but if l live l will defeat him,
DO anything to keep me awake
"Twelve hours to go and the last act
of the drama was commenced. He
struggled en-, but was dragging badly
as he walked from globe to globe. His
pace had degenerated into crawl Of
less than two miles per hour, and again
and again he hung up the pail just in
the nick OF time. He was slowly falling
asleep as he walked, and if there was
not soon q change all would be over.
"Pl udden was profoundly satisfied
that ,he feat would not be accomplished
and huge grin irradiated his face from
ear t., ear.
"Milier shouted at him: Get on.
Schrlidt! Prudden's grinnirg all over
at you! He thinks you're done for!
Look at him
"The change was electrical. What the
coffee and tea had failed to do the mere
idea of being ridiculed accomplished.
He pulled himself together and helped
himself to some grapes, and, as he went
along. renewed his strength.
"The time dragged slowly on. When
but six hours to go he asked for the
temperature to be reduced and said to
me: I'm afraid, old chap, I'm soon up
l feel it coming on, but keep me at it il
you can. One of my eyes is already
closed and l cannot open 1t. If the
other closes it'll be for good, as have
no muscular power left to open them
My legs are all right. but cannot keeT
my eyelds from closing Schmidt kept
bravely on. Two hours to 60. Their
only one.
"'Fifty-fve to go, Schmidt shouted
Miller; "a to go, Schmidt
"But Schmidt was going wrong
again. We dosed him with tea and cof
fee and brandy. We were-everybody
except William-mad with excitement
He hadn't enough energy left to have
any feeling whatever. Forty-five min
untes only, and 100000 at stake.
"'For heavens sake, end it now,
cried Miller, and cry quits at half tn,
money
"'Not now,' cried Prudden, all ol
nothing!'
Forty to go! Only 40 to got Blu
Schmidt laughed mirthlessly.
"'IIa! ha! I'm going crazy and Prud
den will keep his money. What beauti
full silver serpents are crawling about
What a pretty present one OF then
would make for my sweetheart
"'Neyer mind them!' l shouted
they'll all be yours in half an hour
Keep awake, man, keep awaken ant
mechanically few more journeys wer
covered. But a total collapse seemed
imminent.
Thirty to go and he wanted to waite
his palms with silver from his pail, an,
. was dissuaded in the very nick OF time
!, The tension was becoming unbearable
Poor Schmidt's mind was unhinged TO
the time, he babbled nursery rhyme
, and sang snatches of songs, and yet
as if actlated by Providence, wit
| many a halt and a stumble he still strug
! gled on.
"Twelve to go, both eyes closed an
he ree.ed with sleep. We dosed him wit
, brandy; we shouted and ,mplored hir
l to keep at it with his Eyes shut.
r THE end was very near, and, believ
| me, like blind man he felt his wa
: across the lineoleum track and back
t weary times ard put up his pail for tn
. last load. Pulling himself together fo
9 final effort, he walked straight acros
e the pathway, emptied it, returned
l hung the pail up on the spigot of tn
: now empty globe, and the game wa
+ played out and the prize won.
!, "Cheer after cheer was given by u
= but they fell on deaf ears. Prudden ha
= gone Oft in dead faint when he sa
Y the impossible made possible, and I'll
r hero, his task completed, had calml
: gone to sleep, leaning against the
n empty plobe" - Saltwater (Minn