Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-29
HELEN K. GRIFFIN

You know the old saying, IF you
once get Mississippi mud on your reet
you are ever bound to return" said
Pemberton. a quizzical expression IN
his blue eyes as he threw away the
chip with which he had just been scrap
ing some Of this identical clay from
Miss vankirk's suede boots.
The girl, 1.-the and graceful in spite
Of the meager lines Of her up-to-date
blue serge, laughed, and blushed a lit
tie, too, as she looked down at her be-
spattered shoes. What will my guar
dams account say when I send in
bill for the third pair I've ruined in the
past two weeks!" she demanded rue
fully.
Just put II to the wear and tear OF
a high water campaign, and II you go
short I'll lend you a pair Of my rubber
boots" suggested the young man.
How did 1t happen. anyway
"why, stepped into one Of those
things you call boil and went in up
to my ankle"
"Oh, see. Here, let me try rubbing
It with my hanikerchief-maybe that
will take 1t or"
"You two had better not be so ex-
travagant. throwing away good terra
firma," chimed in a young man who
had just come up.
That's right; 1t went up fifty points
last night" coincided Pemberton, ram
ming his soiled handkerchief back into
his pocket She'll be wishing for what
I've Just scraped of her shoes to plant
flowers In, won't she, WIFI" turning
to the newcomer; then, by way OF ex-
PLANTATION: Sometimes, during these
little innovations, we indulge in roof
gardens on trestle work"
And pray how long do the little in
nervations' last?" demanded Miss Van
kirk with a wry face.
"Oh, they have no specified time
limit" supplied the newcomer. Some
times it's only matter Of few weeks,
then again 1t repeats the flood days OF
Noahs time"
Every one who visits the bottom
take swimming lessons before coming"
put In Pemberton, looking solemn. MY
sister was most negligent, Miss Van
kirk" he added, mot to have mention
ed this fact when she asked you to
visit her"
IF she had, should certainly never
have come, why wouldn't live in such
horrid country" declared Margaret,
undecided whether to take their rail-
lery In jest or earnest.
Both young men laughed at the tragic
expression. Then the older Of the two
turned to his friend and continued in
more serious strain: I've just seen
messenger from above, and he says the
levees at Miller's Bend are in a very
critical condition. The water Is run
ming over the top"
'It begins to look pretty rocky" as
sented the other. The truth Is have
my doubts whether we will be abe !.
Bend II will put this place under seven
or eight feet at the least, and heaven
only knows what will become Of the
people near the crevasse. They've been
warned Of their danger, but they'd
rather risk their lives than leave their
property. Schultz has rushed up new
supply Of sacks along with the county
convicts," he went on, "and he and
are going up tonight on the quarter
boat" While he spoke the two had
moved forward a step or two, and now
began speaking in lower tones.
Margaret had been listening atten-
lively, for she knew that in spite OF
their previous light talk the river con-
ditions were serious, and that they
were fully aware Of 1t. Both men were
roughly dressed in flannel shirts and
khaki trousers, strapped in below the
knee with hunting boots, besplashed
with the sand and fine gravel in which
they had been working But Margaret,
watching them, thought she had never
seen finer types Of vigorous young
manhood.
It was one Of those distress peri
ods" which occur about every seventh
year in the south, when the Mississip-
pi river goes on a big boom, so to speak
and the government issues those oml-
nous little bulletins wherein the people
are exhorted to seek places OF safety
for themselves, their cattle and the
stranger within their halls. A period
when q common danger obliterates So
cial distinctions, and all ableoodieo
men work shoulder to shoulder against
the enemy that menaces, without dis
tinction, the lives and homes of all.
It was a new experience in the life OF
public calamity was restricted to city
strikes, bomb throwing and political
graft. When rumors Of the river con-
ditions reached her home through the
papers, her mother urged her speedy
return, but for reasons best known to
herself she made light Of the situation.
At such times the scene Of action at
tracts large crowds, and the levees be-
come the chief campus where people
gather to watch and discuss the situ-
alton.
Will Denton was off duty for the
time being, but instead Of taking his
full allotted period Of rest he had cut 1t
short for the purpose Of a brisk con-
stitutional with Margaret Vankirk
They had stopped few moments on
reaching Pemberton's beat, and Denton
who belonged to the levee commission
had left the girl with his friend while
he stepped to his office to leave a mes
sage with one Of the men. They now
continued their walk, while Pembertor
started in an opposite direction to see
that some instructions had been carri'
ed out. He had not gone far, however
when he turned and called back: oh
Will, l wish you'd take Topsy back
with you. I'm afraid she will get hur
here. where there's so much passing
back and forward"
denton whistled to the dog and tried
to make her come, but Topsy only
stopped long enough to acknowledge
the courtesy by a friendly wag OF mel
tail. then trotted determinedly at he
masters heels. Pemberton drove hel
back, and thinking she had gone, con
tinued his way. But Topsy, possesses
of an undue amount Of canine STUB
bornness, hid behind a pile Of sacks
and waiting there long enough to dis
arm suspicion, coolly retraced her steI
and followed at a respectful distance
behind her master.
THAT'S the bull-headedest' dog
ever saw" exclaimed Denton, atte
several futile attempts to make ne
come to him. IF she was mine Ia XII
her"
Margaret could not help being anus
ed at the dogs maneuvers, and addet
her own Establishments to induce he
to come, but Topsy was invincible, an'
finding their efforts futile they contin
ned their walk Not wishing to shar'
the girls companionship with the &C