The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-01-09
The Slow One
o0
By 9. 3. HAcKLEY

fort Barrett preserved a calm and in
different countenance.
81 rather thought you were out of
the running-as slow as you are,
Chan" WinSlow went on 4; "but then no.
body else has been in it since Montfort
hit the trail to the Riker house-not
even yours truly. The best l can expect
is to be asked to do an usher stunt be-
fore very long" He screwed up his
face comically. well, so long, Chan!
I'm going down to see how the river
looks. See you later"
Barrett looked after his blithe in
formant like one in bad dream. He
bad loved gay little Angelina Riker
ever since he had come to the town as
court clerk, and though he was shy
and di1tident, Angelina had seemed to
be drawn to him. Then MontfOrt, the
football coach and athletic director at
the college, big, blond and spirited,
stepped in and appropriated Angeline
from the moment of Introduction. SO
their sweet intimacy came to its end,
and now it was public surmise that
she was soon to marry Montfort!
The early March wind had held
hint Of warmth when he came down
the street, but in the courthouse, at
work over his books, Barrett felt
chilled and numb. When he came out
the air was colder, and there was eX-
element in the town. There had been
haaNrU rainc an1 tho too
the river just below the town (Which
the river circled) holding back the
flood waters menaced the town. If the
gorge broke before the water reached
the top Of the banks, well and good
but If not, the town would be inun-
dated. Hurried preparations were I'M
der way to break the gorge-a danger
Gus undertaking. But there were vol
unteers in plenty, so many that lots
had to be drawn to make selection of
the four required.
Alexander Penman, the chief of POI
lice and Hiram Spinner, husky bus
driver, were the first whose names
were drawn, then James Newly and
George Montfort.
For an hour the men worked with
hooks and fuse then, suddenly and I'M
expectedly, the gorge gave way, and
they were caught in the middle of the
river on a high sand bar, now an is
land.
They were temporarily safe enough,
perched on their narrow haven, but
massive ice blocks filed the river-no
boat could be rowed to their rescue.
There was nothing to be done but to
wait until the river became more clear
of Ice. The night came down raw and
cold; the college students made fires
on the river bank and camped beside
them, shouting encouragement to the
imprisoned men.
In the early dawn, when a great
crowd again collected on the bank.
Angelina I;iker was among the women.
Montfort was out there and Ange-
line was afraid for him, but something
else than his danger weighed heaviest
on her heart-another mans detection
Angelina, looking out on the river with
weary eyes, believed she would be
quite happy If Chandler Barrett were
out there tool When half the young
men of the town were running over
each other to get the chance to help
break the gorge Chandler Barrett had
not offered himself
The ice was still runHing-no chance
Of launching boat before noon. But
noon came and the two boats that sew.
eral times made the attempt narrowly
escaped being capsized, and the men
were compelled to turn back.
Dusk came with its promise Of bit
ter night.
1--WE can't let those four brave fell
lows freeze out there tonight" the
mayor said that evening; somehow
We must get relief to them"
Out of the crowd stepped big dark
fellow, wearing no coat, but a flannel
shirt, knickerbockers and tennis shoes
i've a plan, sir" he said. 1--WE been
thinking of it for several hours. A man
might crawl along the telephone cable
that's stretched across the river and
drop down on the bari believe the
line is low enough-and get a rope to
the bar. Then boat could be pulled
over. The rowing would be easier
coming this way"
But it would be desperate under
taking" the mayor objected.
81 know" Barrett answered. I'm
willing to risk it. The mercury's stead
lily going down. We can't, as you say,
let the boys pass another twelve hours
out there. am a good climber, and"
he smiled, 81 made my will, sir, an
hour ago. ! am not afraid"
| With his shirt pockets bullying with
cakes of chocolates for the marooned
men and a slender cord tied around his
waist, Barrett was hoisted to the wire.
AS he crawled slowly hand over hand
along the swaying cable the watching
crowd held its breath. Angeline's heart
scarcely moved. And once when far
out he slipped, she covered her eyes
with her hands. But when she looked
again the black head was directly over
the sand bar. Then he dropped down
on the bar and the crowd caught its
breath and cheered wildly.
With the aid of the cord Barrett car
ried big rope was drawn across the