Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-08-05
By DAVID LOWRY

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Dan Graham was the most unhappy
young man in Hamilton county. If the
bald fact had been announced in as
many words, nobody would have ques-
toned the absolute correctness of the
statement.
Dolly ,Worth had taken particular
pains to manifest her Indifference con
corning Dams actions, his sayings, his
likes OF dislkes-his future. Nothing
that affected Dan Graham could III the
slightest manner concern Dolly Worth.
And everybody thought that they
were engaged!
Finally. when speculation seemed to
be exhausted, somebody conceived the
idea that the reason why these two
had parted was not so much OF II mys-
terry after all.
Inside of week everybody knew
that Dolly had discarded her lover be-
cause he was .stay at home" When
the Fairview guards marched away to
fight IN Cuba. among all the enthusiasts
tic beauties who waved their handker-
chiefs after the swiftly receding train
none was more prominent than Dolly
Worth.
Although nobody could summon suf-
ficient courage to inform DaH Ora
ham that people referred to him as a
"stay mt home" he knew the truth as
well us if it had been cried from every
housetop. For time his mother
feared that he was in danger of i'm
pressions that might prove lasting
impressions which. II permitted to be-
come permanent, would mar his life.
But some underlying force, some in
bred strength. asserted itself speedily.
Dams demcanor was again the agree
and a very winning demeanor 1t was.
The air palpitated with wars alarms.
People talked OF nothing but the war
until one day garrulous old man
eontrived between his daily dozes to
inform Dan that he at least did not
find any fault with him for not going
to the war. That was six or eight
months after Dolly Worth had coolly
parted from him on the most public
thoroughfare in f'airvicw.
The next day calamity overlook
Fairview. The valley SINK in waters
gathered In great storm. lis fields
We're swept; fresh CLEANED harvests
were lost; the fences for miles crum-
bled into the rising waters like the
fringe of dolls dress In blaze. leay-
ing the valley desolate. The muddy
waters pressed through crevices and
crannies, filling every cellar In Fair
view; then they rose to the first and
inevitable. Furniture was pulled and
hauled and lifted by main strength
from floor to floor. Only such articles
were left floating as might serve for
precarious footing for the drowning
rats.
Everybody was wet. dirty, soggy and
cold Night was coming on rapidly
when motley crowd gathered around
the immense fire the boys had kind1ed
on the lot in front of the postoffice
where the farmers hitched their horses
when the food was not.
Suddenly somebody mentioned old
Gabe Somers.
Old Gabe was the oldest fnhabitant
of Fairview. One OF Gabe's uncles
was captured by the Indians and tor
tured to death on the island opposite
the town GaDe lived alone in cabin
Isolated from his fellows rickety af
fair at best cid that nobody was
able to recall when it was erected.
"Has anybody seen old GabeT'
The query was repeated AS men
looked at each other there In the fast
failing night silence fell upon the
crowd The silence was ominous.
Gahe's poor cabin would never survive
the fo5d. Perhaps while they stood
there it was crumbling down into the
hungry water Then thesspirlt which
prompts all manrf1id TO extend help
Ing hand found voice. There We're
shouts. suggestions. conflicting advice.
Suddenly one nan ran toward Gabe's
cabin. Those nearest him exclaimed;
others inquired who 1t was. Soon the
crowd knew Dan Graham was fore
most In mad race to lie rivers edge.
Dan was the swiftcst skater, swim
mer and runner In Fairview and the
best dancer Now be distanced all 9TH
ers so far that before they could APP
proaeh him he had leaped into skiff.
pushed it out and was settling the oars
into the rowlocks when the others
came up to the rivers edge.
Just a little beyond Dan they saw
Gabe Somers' cabin. If ever Gabe's
cabin entered the strong current The
men looking on tossed their hands In
the air despairingly-
Hell drown. Nothing could save
him now"
Yes. and Dan Grahamn drown
too"
If one of them floating trees hits
the skiT''-
.0r log hits 1t a bifr'-
'Or some sunken sawyer hobs up
that's worst of ALL"
And it'll be so dark he can't see lust
where he ~
Maybe he'll swim out"
'.Swim. Swiml Against that cur
renty
Its next to suicide-that's what l
say" said the postmaster, with chok-
ing voice. He was related to Dan. He
loved him as his own son.
There's not another man In the
county'd risk what Dams risking," said
the neishbor standing behind the post
master: mo, nor In the state. And all
for poor old Gabe"
A little knot Of women had gathered
near the river One OF these, oyerhear-
ing such expressions. FASTENED back to
| her neighbors.