The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-09-11
A FISHERMAID'S
RIVAL LOVERS
Story of a Struggle For Life
In the Atlantic.

fishing village on the Atlantic coast
made the acquaintance of one of the
villagers, with whom used to sit on
the dunes and chat. One afternoon
young fisherman came in from off the
water, and as he passed up the beach.
seeing my companion, his face lighted
up with pleasure. and they exchanged
a few words cordially.
He seems to like you" remarked
after the young man had gone.
"Well. yes" responded my compan-
ion. II did him a favor once. but 1t
was nothing more than duty"
| pressed him for the story. and he
gave 1t:
"My friend Cap'n Joe Muford when
he died asked me to look after his lit
tie girl Molly. About the time Molly
grew to be woman she met with two
of the greatest misfortunes that hap.
pen to a girl--she lost her mother and
she got mixed up in love affair with
a man that was no good-that is. he
was in love with her, and she, not be-
ing in love with any one else at the
time. listened to him. Then along
comes John Ruddock. a fisherman
from down the coast and settles here.
looking for better fishing ground than
what he'd been trying Johns son
Paul was then twenty-three years old
and as likely young fellow as one
would find anywhere. AS soon as
Molly Mulford sees him she falls in
love in earnest and that leaves the
other fellow. Rufe Scott, out in the
cold.
Scott acted very ugly. He didn't
trouble Molly much. nor did he trou-
BILE RuddOck. for he daren't. He just
took 1t out in sulking whenever he met
either of them.
zone day a sudden squall came mp.
and a little while after II had blown
over Molly Mulford came to me white
as a sheet and says:
"'Uncle PhiL'-she called me uncle.
though | was no relation-'Uncle Phil
she said, Paul Ruddock's boat has been
blown over by the squall and sunk'
81 ran into the house, grabbed my
glass and. going to the beach, only
few hundred yards away, brought the
glass to bear on the ocean. could
make out man nearly two miles out
swimming for his life. ! watched him
for a minute or two and made up my
mind that he was laboring hard and
some one helped him. Tossing the
glass to Molly, I ran down to the
shore. where lifeboat was kept. The
only person | met was Rufe Scott
told him of Paul Ruddock's fix and
asked him to help me get the boat be-
yond the breakers. He hesitated
moment, but couldn't stand the look
together we got her nose down into
the surf.
"'Get in, l said. III shove her ont
This meant for him to go with me.
He was about to make some ugly re-
ply, refusing to do so. when he caught
sight Of Molly coming. Then he got
into the bow and took up an oar.
Watching my chance to run the boat
out when the waves came in lower, |
jumped In at the stern. seized my oar.
and together we pulled beyond the
foam into deep water.
"Rufe being for'a'd and aft, it
wasn't necessary for him to pull as
hard as l. But | noticed that he was
doing good work, which relieved my
mind. for was afraid he would shirk.
But soon found by looking ahead that
the scoundrel was pulling me around.
Indeed. Rufe having the port oar, |
could look over NY left shoulder and
see Paul-that is, whenever he rode the
crest OF wave. | stopped rowing.
turned around. stood up and. raising
my oar. said:
You miserable dog. if you do that
again I'll brain you and throw your
carcass overheard! Then sat down
and kept my eye on the stern of the
boat and Molly at the same time,
keeping the two in line, Then sudden.
ly Rufe stopped rowing. | turned on
him again. and he had his oar up,
ready to fight.
~ haven't any call TO help Paul
Ruddock, and | won't. That is all there
is about it
"'You won't, eh?
Il dropped my oar, caught his on my
arm, got at him, and before he could
get grip on me tumbled him over
board.
There | said. Swim back TO the
girl you're trying to get even with
"Heading the boat toward Paul,
took both oars and pulled ahead. max
ing a big squirt. Having my face to-
ward Rufe. | saw him swim for a
point below Molly, and 1t was evident
he didn't want TO meet her. She was
too intent to see whether | would sue
ceed or not to notice him. and. land
ing quarter OF mile away from her.
he skunk up the beach aud disappeared.
That's the last he was ever seen in
the town He knew well enough that
1t would not be best to show his face
there after the story ! would tell
Il renched Paul when he was pretty
well tuckered out. got him into the
boat and pulled him ashore. Molly help
ing me when | beached the boat and
hnDnv M Saaino har invar alIva thOnoh