The Forrest City times., 1904-07-22

MT. Judkins," he said coolly, what seems to be the trouble with your"
 I'm drowning" Sam cried. Cant you see?"
 That's too bad" Jack observed, dis interestedly. How did it happen?"
 Happen! Say. get me out of here and don't stop there to ask fool ques. tions"
 "oh, would you like for me to rescue you?"
 "Of course. What are you talking about? Do you think want to drown?"
 Why. should hardly think so. And you would really like for me to save you?"
 Yes. Be quick about 1t. too. can't hang on here much longer"
 'Is that so? Then your hold on the boat is not just as secure as you could wish"
 No, it ain't. But are you going to save me?''
 T hardly know Maybe I will and maybe won't. It all depends on you
 "On me? How?"
 Well, shall ask you to make few promises, and if you do so Fl. save you, otherwise I'll have to leave you to shift for yourself"
 'I won't make any promises-only one. I'll promise 10 shoot you the first minute I have chance"
 Not if I save your life?"
 "Yes. I'll shoot you no matter what you do."
 Then, guess I'll be going. Good day,"
 Burns turned back toward the shore but he had not gone far when Sam yelled to him:
 Here! What are you doing? Are you going off and leave me to drown?" "I am sorry to see you drown" Burns replied. turning back. But can't af- ford to save you so you can shoot me That wouldn't be good policy. would it?"
 Old Sam's finger began to slip oil the boat.
 Save mel" he screamed, and won't shoot you"
 Very good" Burns replied calmly. but you must make some other prom ises."
 What are they? Quick"
 Well, for one thing, you must prom ise not to try to force Minerva into marriage with old Ben Tucker"
 That's my business"
 Just SO And saving your life, or not. is mine"
 Sam's fingers were slipping more and more.
 q promise, dem you" he screeched Now save me"
 Not yet" Burns replied. You must make one more promise first"
 What is it?"
 "As she and love each other, and as you can have no reason for object ing to me as son-in-law, you must promise to give me Minerva for a wife"
 Never"
 Not even to save your life Mir Jud- kins?"
 No. Haven't you already eloped with her and married her?'
 Not at all. l merely took her at her request, to some friends over in town to keep you from forcing her to marry old Tucker. But are you going to agree to my last request. or shall bid you good day?"
 Old Sam hesitated moment. then, as his fingers gave another slip, he said:
 Save me, dem it, and I'll promise anything"
 All right" Burns replied.
 Then he swam up and turned the boat over and threw old Sam into it after which he climbed in himself Se- curing the oars. which had hung in the locks. he struck out for the shore.
 For some distance they went along in silence, but old Sam's face wore such a sad woebegone expression that finally Burns was constrained to speak,
 MT. Judkins." he said, you seem troubled and unhappy What is the matter?'
 Sam drew a long, hopeless sigh.
 I'm ruined" he moaned. ruined ruined!"
 How so?" Burns asked
 Ben Tucker has mortgage on my land and now he'll foreclose and turn me out on the world. It's awful"
 ''ls that all your trouble?"
 All? Isn't 1t enough. at my age. to be set adrift. homeless and penniless 9" Tt would be if such thing was to hanDep to vOu l"
 Well, it will happen, all right. It's bound to now.
 'I must differ with you there, MT Judkins. Minervas father shall never meet such a fate. I'll find the money to pay Fuckers claims"
 You will?"
 of course, I will'
 Are you sure you can?"
 ''I have s10.000 in the bank. Won't that do it?"
 Yes. ten times over"
 Then that's easy fixed"
 Why didn't you tell me iong agt