Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1913-02-06


above high-water mark, | could look
down the road and see the peaceful
cottages dotting the landscape, the
silent, almost deserted streets, and
little beyond the limpid waters of the
Ohio.
"By this time could see that Nell
bless her brave little heart--was get
ting very tired from her long run and,
fearful lest the eXertion might be too
much for her, resolved to carry her
the rest of the way. 1t was an en-
barrassing thing for me to undertake,
FIR | was young and boyish and BASH
full and | didn't know just how to take
hold; but take hold must, | reflected,
aud take hold did.
Bidding Brother NARROW to take
the lead and to make for the river as
Nell, with her little feet bounding
from one elevation to another, the
if his grandfather was drowning, |
picked Nell up in nv arms and made
off after Brother NARROW, keeping as
close on to his swift-moving heels as |
could.
Brother NARROW was a tall, slender
man, with long. slim lower limbs and
wore, on this occasion, a pair of black
broadcloth trousers, made tight legged,
after the prevailing fashion. His feet
were large, filling a pair of about
number nine shoes.
I've lost no time in taking the lead,
as l suggested, plunging on down the
hill, his arms swinging like two big
pendulums. his long legs flying through
the air, his number nine shoes pound
ing the ground and sending up great
clouds of dust and leaving no loose
stones in his pathway. On he plunged
in front of me, pulling desperately for
the river, and on plunged after him,
pulling no less desperately and for the
same body of water. Every time the
minister's hindermost foot left mother
earth to take its position again in front,
my foremost foot bounced down in the
newly-vacated track. On and on he
plunged, jumping over culverts, gull
lies and washouts-what if, by some
mishap, l reflected, he should stumble
and fall, the three of us making a pro-
miscuous wreck on the roadway and
bringing the chase to an untimely end?
The bare thought of such a calamity
made the hair rise on my head.
ION, however, plunged the sure
footed Brother NARROW, with bound
after bound, and on | plunged after
him and on plunged our pursuers right
behind us. 1t was a rough ride for
Nell, poor thing, but she held manful-
" on, her little heart flip Tapping
againts my breast, her soft, white
arms entwined unconsciously about my
neck and her two hands gripping the
back of Benny's best suit.
ION we swept through the town like
a whirl-wind, pell-mell, lickaty-split,
the people rushing to their doors and
windows to get an amazed glimpse at
US as we passed, the merchants rush
ing to the sidewalks with sugar scoops
in their hands and customers carryin
bars of soap, all staring at us as if we
had been the forerunners of a circus
parade.
1--WE were now within a short dis
lance of the river, with it broad waters
glistening with the golden rays of the
setting sun, l felt then that would
rather sink forever beneath its calm,
silent waters than to be captured by
those relentless sleuthhounds of the
law and dragged back to the county
seat.
"On, Brother NARROW, onp l shout
ed, determined to make last desper-
ate effort to escape, as could hear
the rapid footballs of our pursuers and
knew they were gaining on US at every
bound.
Encouraged by my woi DIS, once more
the faithful minister. with renewed
determination and leng thened strides,
plunged down the steep deelivty lead
ing to the river, his feet scattering the
cobblestones right and left, his head
thrown back, his mouth open, and his
hair tousled and covered with dust for