The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-02-22

with anxious eyes. He saw that so
long as he looked we'll to his hold
among the rafters he was in no pres
out? The cabin was built of logs. He
might work for days without making
any impression on its solid sides.
But above him, within easy reach
| of his hands, was the roof, through
which came small wrinkles of blessed
| moonlight. He soon found that it
| was made of saplings laid close to-
gether, then finished with a thick COW
ering of brush. TO his great joy he
found that decay had begun its work
and the smaller saplings were ready
to crumble under a vigorous touch.
But others were strong. They would
yield only to slow cutting with his
knife. His footing was precarious;
with one hand he must continuously
support himself.
He never could have told Of how
many hours of frightfully exhaustive
labor followed his conviction that
through that roof lay the only hope of
saving his young life. Once he stopped,
almost in despair.
Must be about that weddin' time
now" he groaned, his head dropped
upon his free hand. "And if they
knew-mother and all of 'em-r' At
it again. AS at length he could put his
head out a new fear was growing
What if more of his pursuers were on
the outside? Then there was no help
for him. Shelterless, he would surely
freeze to death before the cruel night
would be over. Better that than the
other. With bleeding hands, whirling
brain, every muscle on a strain with
the last effort, Jack pulled himself
upon the roof and peered over its
edge. No. there were no more. The
glaring eyes, the gnashing teeth, the
howls, the pandemonium-all shut in.
With renewed strength, born Of
blessed certainty, Jack sped back to
the camp for help.
1t was frolic such as woodsmen
love; such as rarely comes to their
monotonous Hves-the shout, the exhil-
arating rush over the frozen snow,
the keen relish for the hunt.
Seems hardly fair, though, poor
brutes-like takin' advantage Of 'em,
shut in So" said one.
But sentiment did not prevail, as
one after another of the snarling voices
was hushed.
Seventeen of 'em, as I'm a Twin
man. Jack, my boy, you'll be rich on
your bounty"
Bounty Jack had not had time to
think of that-of the five good dollars
paid by the State for each one of the
ugly scalps. And to think Of all the
good things he could do for Abby and
the others!
But" he began. sit belongs to all
of you-you all helped"
mot bit of 1t, boy. Every cent of
it goes to you. You most earned it
with your life.''
"The weddin's all over, of course"
said Jack, to himself, as late in the
night, he drew near home.
But no wedding had taken place.
Mother and Abby, with anxious faces.
were sitting over the fire, and he was
received with a rush of open arms.
where's Hiram?" was Jacks first
inquiry.
"Hiram's gone back-he can only
get away once a week, you know"
Gone! And without you?"
"And do you think there'd be any
weddin' here without you, Jacky? And
we not KNOWN what might "a become
O. you? The weddin's put off till next
week.
There was little delay in securing
the bounty at the nearest county town.
And Abby rejoiced in such ''settin'
out" as few of the hardy young home
makers had ever known.-Sidney
Dayre, in the Chicago Record Herald.