The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-11-10

on extra lpFgte water seurred the
pFeaeher and tha cattle raiser into bail-
ing
The BOAT was nov nearly halt full of
water and settling heaF on every Inns
pulse Of the bars, though Still quite a
distances from the shore.
The cattle man bailed desperately,
while his vest buttons cracked and
burst from the strain and the pigs
squealed f~rantically as the water erept
higher and higher about them ia their
crate, and Jack, perched high on the
wabbling bow, s~urmounted by his shin
ing beaver, was the ~fgurehead Of de-
spair.
Bali, Iackln cried Win.
With What?p he answered, hope
lessly.
Your hat, your haiti" she called, but
his features hardened as he cried; "Tll
drown frsti" and Wins laugh mingled
with the squealing Of the pigs.
At the sound of such reckless dis
regard Of their imminent danger, the
rural preacher turned his shallow,
blanched face upon her. sCan you
swim, young woman2" he demanded.
II never have-but / expect to pref
ty soonl" she responded, with an irre-
pressible giggle, and he fell to bail
ing with renewed vgor.
Iain't SO very deep" reiterated
Che reassuring voice Of Pat, and al
most as he spoke the rotten keel
grated on the sandy bottom and will
ing hands drew the punt high upon
the shore.
Waltz whispered Win, as Jack
helped her out. II do want 70 see
if the fat mans piggies have nervous
p-rostrationl" Evidently, though,
Jack saw nothing to laugh at, and
muttered something under his breath
as he lifted her into the wagon wait
ing to drive them "cross lots" to the
hail.
Distant mutterings Of thunder filed
the air, threatening the oncoming
storm and the driver drove, regard
less of bones and feelings, over seamy
country roads and piles Of loose
stones and timber, till the occupants
were thrown into an undignifed heap
and clutched each other for support.
"That was verse than any spank
ing I aver got in my youth" declared
Win to herself as she limped along
beside Jack into the concert hall
where the atmosphere was sitting
and strong.
The small stage was lighted by a
large hanging lamp suspended from
the ceiling by a chain obviously too
slender to support its weight, and
Win, measuring Jacks length of
limb, whispered, as she took her seat:
For heavens sake beware of the
Iamp!'
Despite the mishaps Of the trip,
Jack was in good voice, and the ap-
plause he received for his first num-
Der was so spontaneously hearty It
brought a flush of pride to his face.
He nodded to Win to give them the
encore prepared for the occasion and
launched into a dramatic rendering
Of the ballad, but, in his excitement,
he forgot Winnifred's warning and
ia the midst Of a passionate burst of
santimant@hs-oamo tmto audden4and-
unexpected collision with the lamp.
swapping the chain and bringing the
whole elaborate structure down upon
his head.
what shall I do?" he. said, shaking
the powdered glass from his head and
glancing in disgust at the coal oil
which deluged his shirt and tie. 'I'm
ruined!"
They had dropped the curtain and
were rapidly clearing the stage. 'Tu
fix you all right" she said, smother
ing a laugh as she gazed upon his
ruefu appearance and whisking off
her own high collar and Roman scarf.
"Therel Those Roman colors carry
out the imposing effect of that hooked
nose Of yours-you look better than
before"
But what will you do?" he asked,
dOubtfully surveying her shorn APP
pearance, as she transferred her be-
longings to him and spread the broad
scarf carefully over his limp and yell
low shirt front.
She drew closer about her neck the
light shoulder scarf she wore, knot
ting it effectively at her throat. and
gave him a little push.
There, now, go back and sing this
ballad and don't look as If the ma
tion's r rested all on youl I do
wonder why men are called the
stronger sex? You're nothing but
.babiesl'
Jack went back to his place and
gave the signal for the curtain to 20
up, but the two boys who were run
ming the curtain pulled and tugged
at the ropes in vain-it refused to
ascend
Others gave their assistance and
and twitched, but with no eff
feet, then everyone got nervous and
q frantic onslaught was made with
the result that the curtain few up
with a sudden whirl, catching in its
folds the broad leaves Of a
palm which had been set too near.
SCATTERING the pot and scattering the
earth as it swayed upwards, hopeless
" snarled in the rising curtain.
OF course Jack received the shower
Of dirt full in his face and, blinded
and choking, fed from the scene.
Win found him STANDING IN tba