The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-03-09
a rock and smash me up."


the bluff, and we could hear him
mumbling to himself The dog still
stood above and barked vigorously.
Suddenly there was quiet below.
even the hound ceased yelping and
leaned over, peeping into the semi
darkness. Then we heard faint,
weak. childish vail. Here she is"
yelled Manse, and then bedlam turned
loose.
Such yells, such screams of joy, such
vociferous thanks to God, have new
er heard before.
In few moments Manse came toll
ing up the bluff carrying little white
form in his brawny arms, and we
knew that Nellie Holdings was found
and was alive
1t was days before the little maiden
had recovered from her terrible
bruises and fright, and was again seen
on the streets The incident made
deep impression upon every person
who lived in the community. Years
rolled by, and the little village pet had
grown into one Of the most beautiful,
lovable and accomplished girls l ever
knew. In the little village her name
was one to conjure with. Everybody
knew her and everybody loved her.
About this time left the little town
in quest of Fortune-that tickle god
dess who rides in an automobile, and
who men pursue on foot. 1 had locat-
ed in a distant city. Turmoil of bust
ness, added to the distance, prevent
ed me from seldom hearing from the
cd town. Once 1 had seen a friend
from the little village, Who, among
other things, said that Nellie Hol-
lings, who was about twenty years of
age, was engaged to be married to a
young man who had come to that town
several years after my departure. He
was the son of some wealthy man in
some old Eastern town or other, was
a college law graduate, very aristo-
cratic, and had carried off Nellie's
heart by storm. In my heart l GER
tainly envied the fortunate young man
and also wished all good fortune to my
former little girl friend.
Several more years had passed. and
one day 1 received a note by messen-
ger. which read as follows:
Please come to see me. 1 am in
great distress. No. 121 -- street,
room No. IA. (Signed) Nellie Hol-
lings'
Had a giant firecracker exploded I'M
der my feet, would not have re-
ceived greater surprise. What was
the matter? How did she get to that
city? If she was still Nellie Holl-
ings" she had not been married then,
as had been reported.
The weather was cold. The streets
were covered with sleet, but L donned
overshoes and a warm overcoat, and
calling a carriage, told the driver the
address. He looked at me very quizzi-
cal, but mounted the box and off We
went He drove some two miles or
more, left the better portion of the
city, entered what was known 10 be
very disreputable district, and at last
stopped in front of a two-story house
that looked more like livery stable
than dwelling.
l dismounted from the carriage, told
the driver to wait for me, and he said
he would be at a small saloon just
across the street. The door was ans
wered by a big, fat, slouchy woman,
who silently conducted me to room
No. H." and told me TO open the door
and go in. The room was poorly
lighted, but in one corner was a low
bed, and / saw that some human be-
ing occupied it. There was no fire
in the room, only two old rickety
chairs and a small cheap board table.
1 walked over to the bed. and as did
so a woman raised up and exclaimed.