Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-12-16

seemed to her a roaring cataract. "How
could have ever said it was the mar
rowest river in the world?" she
| thought.
She was now utterly paralyzed from
terror and unable to take another step.
There was only one thing she could do,
and she did it strenuously. She
screamed. The lone laborer working
on the opposite side turned and saw
her.
"Well. wouldn't that get your he
CALCULATED, and then called out:
Hold on there! I'm a-coming," and
he fastened toward her.
Never in the world had anything
looked more beautiful to her than the
sight of this stoggy, red-faced, blue
oyeralled, black-piped laborer ap-
preaching her with a step of ease and
air Of security. When he reached her
he turned about
"Put your arms around me- he said.
'shut your eyes and hang on tight"
She obeyed these instructions so i'm
plicitly that the laborer felt as if he
had an electric rheumatic belt about
his waist.
Mrs. Pontiff had always been con-
scious of an instictive shrinking from
the common people," but she followed
this plebeian CARRIED toiler blind
IL and willingly.
Here we bep' he announced cheer
fully, and Mrs. Pontiff opened her
frightened eyes to find herself once
more on the beloved terra firma. With
hysterical laugh she sank down on a
pile of lumber.
Say, was you doing it on a bet?"
asked her rescuer, curiously.
WHAT! she exclaimed, staring at
him.
'Well, heard Kit Dooligan and one
or two women say how they were a.
going to be the first to walk the plank,
and the fellows about town have been
giving them dares and putting up
money on them, and I though maybe
you society folks was doing the same.
You're winner, though. The first but
me to cross that ere plank"
Mrs. Pontiff shuddered. "What do
you mean? Isn't that the bridge peo-
pie use right along? How do they
cross ?"
1t was his turn for shock now.
Great Scottp' he calculated.
Didn't you see that bridge over
there?'
She followed his index finger. On
the other side of the piers of the pro-
posed bridge were terraced steps lead
ing down to the waters edge, where
was constructed a snug little bridge
securely rallied.
She was silent moment. Then she
turned to him.
Il was getting dizzy when you came
to my help, and in another moment I
should have fallen in and drowned.
wish you would take this; it's all I
have with me-" and she put ten-dol-
lar bill into his surprised hand.
Yes" she said. in reply to his faint
protestations, tits little enough, and
please never tell any one.'
AS she hurried on to the station. she
thought:
Il wouldn't have Henry and Sonny
know about it for the worldr'
At the station she encountered her
husband pacing the platform.
why, right on timer he said in a
pleased, surprised tone. 81 telephoned
to the house, but you had left. 1 got
another telegram from Carrie, and she
can't come to-day" 81
Mrs. Pontiff made no response.
'I'll ride up home with you." he said,
hailing carriage.
When the cabman had closed the
door, Mrs. Pontiff burst into tears.
"Why. Helen" demonstrated her hus-
band, you can't be disappointed at
Carries non-appearance. or are those
tears Of relief?"
Maybe she will come tomorrow"
sobbed Mr.. Pontiff.
well, never mindi Don't cross
bridges until you come to themr'
At this INDUCTION his wife, to his sur.
prise, changed her tears to laughter.
"Helen's nature is even more delicate
and sensitive than 1 thought" he re-
fiected. II must be more careful of
! herr
That evening Mr.. Pontiff picked up
| the Evening Journal and Sonny did
likewise the Herald. Then there issued
from each an exclamation of surprise.
With dread forebodings. Mrs. Pom
| tiff FASTENED to look over her lord and
masters shoulder
Then she fell into his arms more ter
rifed than she had been during her
trial on the river. For in startling
headlines she caught the words:
"She stood on the bridge! A plucky
woman! Mrs. Pontiff the first person
to cross the first plank of the new
bridger'
what does it mean, Helen?" he
gasped.
Between her sobs and laughs she re-
lated her experience.
tits all my fault, Helen" he said
soothingly. 81 shall take better care
of you after this"
"You had more grit than Kit" exult-
ed Sonny.
When Mr.. Pontiff had succeeded in
quieting his wife, he took Sonny one
side and threatened him with punish
ment dire If he ever by look, thought
or deed alluded to the matter to his
mother or to any one.
There were times when Sonny sore
~ lenged to sing There's One More
River to Cross" but he forebore.-
Belle Mandates. in the New Orleans
Times Democrat.
A Pennsylvania fisherman has dis