The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-03-06
All for the Love
of a Girl
By JAMES NJ. FREER.

a WOMAN, tall and straight, whose
~ face was hidden by shawl
thrown over her head, was walking
down the "Ramper,' the raised road
which ran straight as stretched
string across Sutter marsh.
It was the dull dusk of an autumn
evening. and raw wind from the sea
moaned across the fats and caused
Selma Pritchett to put her wrap closer
about her face.
Presently, far in the distance, the
girl discerned figure outlined against
the fading yellow of the evening sky.
She gave shrill call:
"Joe! joel"
The man stopped and looked round.
Selma pressed on and soon joined
him. He met her with outstretched
hands, and kiss passed between them.
"Joe, l came out on purpose to see
you. l wanted to speak to you where
no one could ever hear US"
II reckon we're safe enough here,
lass" smiled the man. There's not
a soul'u venture within a mile O. us.
Folk don't love the 'Ramper' on night
like this"
But neither of them noticed rustic
in the tall dead reeds which fringed the
narrow road or in the quick gather
ing gloom pale face, which appeared
4 ghestlike above the heavy screen.
ibid you hear the dykes finished,
Joe?" Selma spoke with concentrated
bitterness.
"Aye, lass, know it," Joe responded,
shortly.
"And next summer they say all the
marsh will be inclosed and parceled out
with fences"
"Yes, I've heard that, too. 'Tis a
wicked job
"Wicked Wicked! / tell you, Joe,
father will be ruined man. Wherein
be any grazing for the cows or the
geese? Wherell he shoot any wild
fowl? Where can we cut reeds for
matching o7 turf for fuel? Why, we
shall starve."
"Not while 1 live" broke in Joe.
Tell you what, lass, when we're mar
ried we'll move out of this country and
60 back to my old place.
"What, and leave father here to
starve!" the girl famed out. Not me ;
and I'll tell you what, Joe Reave, l vow
twill never marry you without we can
settle here in our old home. 0, l only
wish l were a man! I'd do something
to stop these commissioners at their
wicked work"
The man, big, heavy fellow that he
was, quailed at her fury.
"What would you do?' he asked al
length.
DO? Why, I'd shoot old Squire
Duckett. He's the head of it all, or
no, I'll tell you what 1 would do, Joe.
She spoke now more quietly, but'witl
intense emphasis. This is what II
DO. Wait for flood and cut the dyke.
You don't mean that, Selina?'
gasped Joe.
You wait and see if 1 DON'T" she re
piled.
Joe seized both her hands and gazet
straight in her face. The figure behint
the reeds craned its head forward t.
listen.
You shame me, lass" Joe said. hi
rather heavy face lighted up with
passion of admiration. Its what W
should have thought C long ago. Wait
III do it, see if don't"
CT
Selma looked up at him moment
mere was no doubt he meant what b
said.
Very well, joe she said. 1.-The da
al'er the water runs back over ou
marsh Lands, that day I'll marry yo,
Ana now must go home. Fatherll b
waiting for his supper. Good night"
Ihe figure in the reeds shrank bac
aha hid itself as the lovers partet
oeilna walked sharply homewards t
wnere, across the flats, shone a fair
nghs from the cottage. Joe strod
siong with long, swinging steps in th
opposite direction.
"nen he was out of sight the ma
VINO had been in hiding crawled frol
MS concealpent up on to the ''Rampe,
ana shook his fist in the direction IL
oener had disappeared.
Al! my fine fellow" he growle
VIA an ugly laugh. 81 have you no,