Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-04-26

in"NC ~ WI IL o-OO " you. L saw
you helping Potts the first pond fresh
he was in. If you do as we'll by me
I'll be ahead of the game if you'll
drop this and take hold. Then you
will be able to stave Archibald off.
You've lots of time-eight days."
Lacy was not looking at him. He
was staring apparently through the
trees. He saw a bright fireside, an
old, but sweet-faced lady sat sewing;
near her, fitting about humming a low
tune, was another figure, neat, trim,
alert, lithe-a girl with a sweet face
You don't want a hatful of money
to- see what's in this now-only a few
feet further to go. Might strike the
rock any minute now"
The face Lacy saw there on that
bright sunny day was hopeful. 1t
smiled confidently; her eyes looked
proudly into his own. That was the
look that had held him up in all his
mtsfOrtunes. 1t said as plainly as
words could say: "You will succeed
I know you WILL"
I'VE can get out tomorrow. With
or without more rain. That last rain
was heavier than anybody thought"
Now back to the first picture Lacy
saw another. Archibald was riding
into Granklin to record a new lease.
Lacy's creditors were behind him.
I'D rather have you than Howe
pilot for me. Lucky for you you fish
ed on the Allegheny when you were
boy. You know it pretty WELL"
I'll do II" said Lacy, suddenly COM
ing out Of his day dream.
An hour later he was giving instruc-
tons to the man who assisted him.
He was to get another man whom
Lacy named to take Lacy's place. That
evening Lacy drove down to the
creek where Hartly's boats were moor
ed. The small rivulets and brooks
had become reservoirs where they
neared the creek. By morning, at the
farthest, rain or dry, the pond fresh
would carry the barges out.
Lacy worked harder for Hartly than
he had ever worked for himself. It
was his last hope, his last chance. He
inspired the other men. Hartly slap
ped his thigh with pride as the work
progressed.
About 4 o'clock the next morning
rain fell again, slowly at first but
then came downpour. The last show
err accomplished more in two hours
than Hartly and the other operators
had accomplished in two weeks. Be
fore the workers ON the creek had their
breakfast the signal to cut loose was
given.
One Of Hartly's boats rode out nice
ly, safely. A second foated off with
out obstacle. Now came the last
that Lacy had charge Of. It was the
most difficult TO manage. Unless skill
was displayed now one Of Potts
barges lying above might stove it in.
Suddenly he beheld two Of the boats
swinging into the creek beyond the
control of the bOatmen. Potts, purple
chief assistant. Baird, strove with
might and main to retard the other.
There was a crash of timber, q ire
mendous rush of water, the swirling
Of an indescribable mass Of leaves,
branches and pieces Of board in ed
dies. Above all the shouts and COM
mands Of men could be heard as they
struggled with an ungovernable ele-
ment.
The yellow, oily water was coming
down in comb over a log that had
swung across the creek suddenly. 1t
was held fast there. Below this log
was long slide Of clear, smooth wa
ter.
Lacy saw at once that unless this
log was removed Immediately two of
Hartly's boats would be forced against
the opposite side Of the creek, in
which case Potts boat would be sure
to collide with them. They would be
smashed, crumpled up, their contents
lost
He seized a cant hook, caught the
end of the log, the swift water whirled
the log around, throwing Lacy off his
feet. He fell into the creek, grasped
despairingly at the log, then disap-
peared.
Now the fresh pond was at it's mer-
riest. 1t scooped stones from the bot
tom of the creek, rushed headlong,
tossing its yellow name as it bore the
barges down swiftly to Oil City and
out far into the Allegheny.
When Lacy regaincd consciousness
he fancied he was still at the water 5
edge. He heard the steady flow Of
water. There could be no rnistaking