The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-07-22


sistabe He had mortgage on Sans
farm, which he threatened to foreclose
unless he was given Minerva for a
wife.
Tucker was at the Judkins home
when it was found that Minerva hac
disappeared. In fact. 1t had been
arranged that he and Minerva should
marry that morning, Ind it was for
that reason that he was there. 1t was
also for that reason that Minerva had
had disappeared.
When Sam took down his gun and
announced his intention Of following
the elopers old Ben offered to accom-
pany him, and his offer was accepted
Accordingly when Sam strode forth in
pursuit of his daughter and her lover
ne was reinforced by Tucker.
Near the Judkins farm was river,
and across the river was town. 1t
was to this town that old Sam very
naturally concluded the lovers had
gone 1t was the only town anywhere
near, and then in other elopements the
elopers had always gone there to get
married.
A boat was secured and the two men
got in and set out across the river.
Tucker took the oars, while old Sam
sat in the stern nursing the rifle. In
perfect silence the former pulled away
manfully, and the latter stared straight
before him, watching the opposite
shore
In this way they proceeded until
they had reached the middle Of the
river, where the water was deep and
the current swift Then all at once old
Sam sprang to his feet in state Of
wild excitement and raised his gun to
his shoulder Just before him he saw
Jack Burns standing on the river bank
Hold the boat still, can't you?" he
called to Tucker. Let up on them
oars"
What is it?" Tucker asked for seat
ed facing Sam he could not see Burns.
What are you going to shoot here
for?"
Hes there on the bank" Sam re-
piled. Jack Burns. I'm going to kill
him. Hold still until l get bead on
him"
Instead of doing as Sam admonish-
ed, old Ben, at the mention of Burns
name, sprang excitedly to his feet in
get a look at his rival. In so doing he
inadvertently threw his entire weight
on one side of the boat and tipped it
| over.
The next moment the two men were
| f1oundering wildly about in the water,
while Sans rifle lay at the bottom of
| the river, and the boat floated idly,
| bottom side up.
Tucker was a good swimmer, but old
| Sam could not swim lick. The for
mer, as soon as he had got the water
out of his mouth and nose, and recov-
ed his breath, struck out for the shore.
The latter, fioundering frantically to
| keep himself afioat. yelled Justify for
help Tucker heard but turned a deaf
ear He was too much occupied with
saving himself to waste any time on
any one else.
Old Sam finally managed to get hold
of the upturned boat. He could not
right it and get in, but by hanging to
it he could save himself from going
down under the water. With an un-
|
bottom he clung fast. keeping UP inces-
SAINT cries for help.
| Presently Jack Burns threw off his
coat and hat and plunged into the riv-
| er He swan out toward old Sam,
but just before reaching him he
stopped.
"Mr. Judkins," he said coolly, what
seems to be the trouble with you?
"Pm 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
yCu?"
"Of course. What are you talking
| about? Do you think l want to
| drown?"
why, should hardly think so. And
you would really like for me to save
you?"
yes Be quick about it. too l can't
| hang on here much longer"
as that so? Then your hold on the
| boat is not just as secure as you could
wish %
mo, it ain't- But are you going to
! save me?"
| "I hardly know. Maybe w:}l 2na
aay0e UoHt. r all depends on you. :"
"On me? How?"
"Well, shall ask you to make few
promises, and if you do so III. save you,
otherwise I'll have to leave you to shift