Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-01-31

bride track skirting a deep mountain
ravine In Southern New Zealand. Its
nnseated rider. clutching mechanical
ly at rocks and grass. went hurtling
down to death and mutilation. Then
came merciful oblivion.
Hidden behind a bush at the mo-
ment of the mishap. and distant from
the horse only few feet, had been
q pedestrian. AS the horse fell the
pedestrian started up. His first act
vas to seize the bridle, his next to
look down the ravine. AS his eyes
| lighted on the face OF the insensible
man his own cleaned with triumph.
Then something softer came into
them, and the softness gave place to
grimly humorous light as he un-
coiled lettering rope fastened about
the horses neck. Holding this firm
ly. he lowered himself to where on
\ jutting rock and thorny bush the
fallen mans body had been caught
He passed the rope beneath the 9TH
er's arms and knotted 1t. Then, with
a strength that threatened more than
once to give out. he clambered back
to the path.
Without a moments rest or hest
tation he pulled of his thin coat,
| folded 1t into a cushion. and placed
1t between the rope and the rocky
edge of the track. And, having start
ed the horse on a gentle walk. he
knelt by the ravine, keeping the
rope from fraying as the body was
brought upward. Not until the task
had been completed did this chance
Samaritan exhibit any emotion; then
it took the shape of amusement. and
was expressed by prolonged
chuckle.
The man thus dragged from his
grave opened his eyes, stared about
him in surprised manner. sat up,
and then sank back with an express
sion of agony on his face.
His rescuer unfastened the rope
and brought the horse to his side.
Again, almost everlasting himself, he
assisted the injured man to mount,
and, as if he had been especially en-
gagged for the occasion, led the horse
down the track.
During these many minutes the
Samaritan had uttered no word. It
was the horseman. Judge McAlister,
who broke the silence. His words
were half-groaned, half-gasped, and
formed an inquiry whether the level
ground was far on
J. The others answer was an exten-
sion of his free hand; a turn in tht
track showed a snow-covered road
way few yards distant. This main
tanned taeiturnity possibly irritate
tho kfe N s6d HufFfus o,r btirie5a a foe oeit
The Samaritan did not furnish tn
desired information; but he conde
seended to remark:
keep your mouth shut; it's ge;
ting damp"
Judge McAlister started. For
moment he had something other tina
physical pain to occupy his attention
his pride was hurt.
The judges eyes saw a typics
colonial of the daredevil, spendthrif
happy-go-lucky variety. All tn
judges pride began to expand lik
heated gas. He pulled on the rel
suddenly, bringing the horse to
stand.
@Well?" The Samaritan put tn
laconic question
81 wish to dispense with you
further services. How much do
owe you?"
The other fixed upon the Judge
face an absolutely expressionless gaz
as he made answer:
you lost your senses when yo
fell down that cliff, and don't seer
to have found EN- again"
Judge McAlister passed HIS ham
across his forehead. The memory o
that awful time occupied by the ac
cident had been effaeed- row !
came back-1i.zrfr.ssoise at the Samar
&c. t,etsers the rope; then said. IL
s4.isfone OF making an accusatfons
You saved my life,"
The Samaritan took no notice
whatever. As II enough time had
been wasted over trivialities, he start
ed the horse. a proceeding that
brought from McAlister's lips a faint
cry, followed by the words:
Man, my right ankle is broken.
/ Is there house near?"
The other pointed silently to a low
building near the fast narrowing
horizon, and led the horse along a
cart track that passed through a field
gateway
why, the house is emptyls ex-
claimed the judge, when the build
ing had been reached.
Looks like it,
How far is it to the next?"
Two miles at guess, and the
road is bit rough. Does your leg
pain ycu?7
Pain! Find a better word.
groaned McAlister.
Then we'd better 60 inside. and
/ will fix it up.
The Judge impatiently fretted in
his saddle while his companion bat
tered at the doos with a piece of
scantling that had served to prop up
fence. He saw him burglariously
enter, and himself committed bur
glary, hopping on one foot, when he
had been assisted to the ground.
There is packing case in this
corner. Sit down until we have
fire.
The Judge obeyed. The Samaritan
went out. and returned with an arm
ful of carpenters waste wood.
An of which is directly contrary
to the laws of this blooming colony.
he remarked, sotto yoce.
McAlister, catching the words
muttered something not exactly in
praise of law.
When the foot had been barred. the |
amateur nurse remarked:
You have raptured a tendon. .
Are you a doctor?" asked the |
judge.