The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-16

U
hadn't barked the smallman family
would have been wiped out DO 1 ever
see murderer snoopin' aroundT
Land o. massey, but hope notp
"But | orter see one, same as other
folks. II | ever do see one | won't
stand and tremble and shake. No, sir,
/ won't. III just 60 right out to him
and tell him to hump himself out of
that or he'll have me in bis hair, but
shan't never see one. There's no such
good luck for me-"
"But you hain't done 80 bad" OBJ
served the wife in soothing tones.
"You fell in the river once, didn't
youT
YES"
%And you had a eight with a light
min rod manp
"Yes."
"And mad dog chased you up
ladderp
"But what does all them things
amount to agin Injuns and murderers7
| want to be hero, same as other
folks. If I'd ask Skinner to trust me
for ten pounds Of sugar all to once
he'd drop dead"
"Waal," said the wife as she rose up
to prepare for bed, you are doln' all
you can, and nobody can't do any
better. II you live long nun mebbe
your chance will come"
II was on the road and only two
weeks away. A millionaire had his sum
mer home on the bank of the river run.
ming through the village. His eighteen.
year-old daughter was fond of rowing
and 1t was an almost everyday sight to
see her skimming along In her boat.
There had been heavy midsummer
rains, and the river had gradually risen
until the water poured over the dam
like a Niagara. There was drop Of
twelve feet with three or four waves
at the bottom rising up and curling
over in menacing way. One day, at
the highest stage Of the water, three
young ladies appeared on the pond In
boat, The rich mans daughter was
taking company out for a row. Two
hundred feet above the dam, as she
attempted to turn and 90 back. one Of
the oars snapped, and in her sudden
panic she lost the other. while the
boat turned broadslde to the stream.
To go over the dam In that fashion
meant death to all.
Abe Langford had been salvaging
sawlogs and boards from the river
with rope and hook and stood on the
bank when the disaster to the boat oc-
Cured. There were others higher up
and lower down who were startled by
the screams Of the girls, but not one
of them grasped the situation. It was
left for Abe. OF came his coat vest
and shoes, and In he plunged. A score
Of men called to him that he could
never hope to tow the boat ashore, but
that wasn't his plan. There was Just
a chance that II the girls kept quiet
and the boat was guided over the dam
bow first she wouldn't I'LL or be upset.
Abe caught 1t when 1t was yet fifty
feet from the plunge, and, whirling 1t
about, he hung on to the stern and got
the bow pointed straight. Then he said
to the girls;
I'VE have got to go over the dam.
All of you crouch down and hang on
for your lives. II you make one move
we shall all be drowned"
There was screaming and yelling and
shouting all along the banks, but Abe
Langford was not ratified Two Of the
girls had tainted away, and the other
was dumb with fright. The boat half
filled, but foated through to safety
and, guiding and swimming, Abe
brought her to the bank. He had done
q brave deed, and his fellow towns.
men were unstinted In their praise
He took 1t all in his humble way, and
as soon as he could escape them he
went shlverlng home.
Good lands, Abe Langford, but
what's the matter7" exclaimed the
wife on beholding his saturated con.
ditlon.
"Just saved three gals from drownd-
In" he replied
Then you are hero at last3
"Durn the luck, mol In all the sto-
ries I've ever read the hero marries the
gal whose life he saves. There was
three Of EN-, and what am / goln' to
do about It? Besides, II there wasn't
but one I'd be married to you just the
same, wouldn't l? tell you luck Is
agin me, and shall never have fair
show"
WAL, git of your wet clothes and
mebbe you'll be chased by mad bull
tomorrer," said the motherly wife as
she began drying his wet hair with a