Bisbee daily review., 1903-03-04
WHAT CAME OF A
 PASSION FOR BOOKS
lOriginal.l 1


 bering people. while on both sides of the harbor are scattered houses. One morning from one of these houses came A girl whose complexion was darkened by the sun and winds and whose hands showed plainly that she was used to toll. She wore a pair of mans boots, her dress was of calico, and on her head was an unadorned felt hat She hurried to the rockbound shore and, shading her eyes from the sun, which at the moment burst out between stormclOuds, stood looking across the bay at a catboat coming under double reef There was something in the girls appearance and attitude that would have struck the fancy of an artist-a supple figure. futtering skirts, pair of honest eyes ard firm mouth. Be- sides. there was on the face an intel lectual cast in strange contrast with her attire. The boat came on, and & man at the tiller. luffing up to the wind, brought its nose quietly against a rock, then stepped out, holding the painter.
 Yer late. sam" said the girl. 'I thought ye wasn't comin'."
 
 work, Alice. I fear we'll have a hard time maxim land on the other side, The winds fresher thar than here."
 "I must go. The schoolmaster toie me he'd have the book for me, an 1 must return it in two days. If don't go now, may miss the chance"
 She stepped into the boat, and the man, leaning against the mast, showed it off, stepping aboard at the same time. He took the tiller. while Alice sat amidships, facing him.
 Yer cross today. sam" she said.
 "Waal, thar's somepin to make me cross. don't like this craze ye got fur rarnin' Ye know I've sot my heart on to ye, an ye got yer heart sot on to books"
 Better git ysr heart sot on to some one else, sam" she replied, not un- kindly. "I own I've got a passion fur books. Lor's a mercy. that was big one!" as a wave beat against the boats quarter and nearly turned it over.
 The winds been freshenin' ever sence I started. but I don't fear noth- in except maxim the inlet on the other side. It's full of logs"
 When they neared the shore, the breakers were rolling over the bar furiously. A number of people were standing on a beach fianking the inlet watching the boat.
 Tt wasn't like that when I started" said Sam, scanning the landing place with dismay.
 hn fn fyn q the wind,' said Alice.
 Wed be swamped. No.'' resolutely; we're in fur it. I fear we'll be knock cd out ag'in the logs. I'll do the best kin fur ye, Alice, an if ye come out alive I hope yell have all the books ye want an be happier with 'em than ye would with me"
 The girl stared at him with blanched cheek. 1
 Don't talk that away. Sam" she said. " got the same chance fur life I have" 1
 No. I haven't I'm agoin' to look out fur you. I can't do that an look out fur myself"
 Steering for the mouth of the inlet, Sam approached the bar. The first breaker flung the boat into the air, and as it slid down the opposite side the lee gunwale shipped barrel of water. The second wave tossed it slantwise on it's crest, and when it reached the trough it was nearly full. The third sent it up heavily. as though tired of its weight, then threw it downward without a pause till it reached the sand.
 Meanwhile Sam had grasped Alice and when they were in the water clung to her at the same time buffetinS to keep her afioat. The tide, driven by the wind. set inward. and they were borne along till they reached the scat- tered logs bobbing up and down in the more subdued pillows of the inlet, Beaten against one of these logs, Sam put himself between it and Alice and saved her, though three of his ribs were broken. Still he struggled on. ! The next log was passed. with another | blow that stunned Sam. and both sank. | They came to the surface and by thls | time had reached a cOmpara lively clear space in the center, while the shore was thickly packed with logs. Drift |
 | ing against one of these, boat hook was caught in Sam's clothing, and the | two were dragged up on the logs. Sam was laid on plank binding the tim bers together. the blood from gash on his head forming a pool beside him. ! | Sam just passed the death line wita- l out stepping over it. Alice did not re- ceive a single blow and suffered onlyi | from exhaustion. By the time Sam was out of danger she was ready toi nurse him and never left his bedside till he recovered. One day she said to | him: sam. guess if I have to choose be- | tween you an books I'll take you" | No: y won't do that. Alice. Maybe kin trot alongside of y an yer | books" i
 "Oh. Sam. wouldn't that be nice?" That winter the two spent the even- | ings with their books. At first Alice | was the guide. and Sam followed doc | iIaIv Ruf Sam'S brain sppmed to