The bee., 1908-02-13
the usual reply rOm the memorable


maiden.
"Ach. Maria, that wouldn't make
bit of difference. I'could help to take
care of you both" This indifference
on the part of Maria was a puzzle to
Others besides himself.
We'll. Cheorche, seem you don't
give up asting me I'll asst Nom once;
mebby she'll say yes"
He would wait longer, with his Penn
sylvania German patience, even IL It
took another year to win her con-
sent He occupied with his parents
the brick house just across the alley
from the Rudisills.
George was idly glancing out of the
setting room" window at the flying
snowfiakes when presently the door of
the kitchen opposite opened with
jerk, and Maria briskly hustled across
the porch towards the pump and pro-
ceeded to pump a painful of water.
She had no sooner lifted the pail
from the pump spout and stopped
over, when her foot slipped on the
snowy porch, and the unexpected hap
pened.
For several months previous she
had noticed that the portion of the
porch directly over the rain-water els
tern was in dangerous condition, and
she had immediately communicated
this fact to Samuel Fritz, the town car
penter. to repair the same. Sam, as
everyone knows, is habitually inclined
toward representation.
He had received orders from Miss
Maria in early spring, but Sam forgot,
and those treacherous planks over the
cistern gave way with the sudden
strain of Miss Maria's fall. A wide,
yawning chasm appeared. into whose
black depths she was precipitated like
a ball shot from a cannon. She was
so badly frightened at first that she
made no cutlery; but when she left the
icy cold water gurgling and swishing
about her she came to her senses and
gave lusty scream that was heard
clear across the alley
Hatless, breathless with excitement.
george rushed wildly across the alley
into the Rudisin yard and disappeared
IN the doorway Of the woodshed near
by. Emerging with a 15-foot ladder
he made hasty preparation for lower
ing 1t into the dark abyss.
Peering over the ragged edge, he
saw to his intense relief that the wa
ter reached only to her shoulders, and
that she was in no immediate danger
of drowning, at least not so long as
she retained her hold upon the slip
perry black pump stock and did not
lose her balance and presence OF
mind.
"Ei, Ell. Ell! Maria! Holt on tight
till leave down the ladder"
Her only response was a shiver and
a look that was pitiful in the extreme
He now that there was danger of her
faiA ing or being cramped by the icy
water so he cautioned her to holt
on With all her might until the ladder
descended.
Clasping her in his brawny arms,
he climbed the slippery ladder with
his dripping burden and bore her ten
DERBY TO her mothers kitchen, where
he deposited her limp form in huge |
wooden rocking chair, and then re-
tired TO "call his Nom over"
A sweet little old woman with
snowy hair presently appeared and lsep
the unfortunate young woman to her |
room; then she briskly entered the
kitchen to set the table and made the
dinner ready" for Maria's mother was
too upset to do anything.
Just before serving the dinner, Mrs.
Becker was called upstairs. when,
after a whispered consultation with
Maria, she went across the way. and /
she and George reappeared a few mo-
ments later. the mother carrying a
small bundle under her arm.
II guess the dinners ready, vonce."
announced Mrs. Rudisill. Amelia, you
and Cheorche viii stay and eat with
". ain't2 This accident makes US :