American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-01-31
The Slow One
o1
By .. B. HAcKLEY
t, 1918, by Mcclure Newspap'
syndicate.)


ried to AngelIne Riker before the col
lege term ends, Chan"
Wilbur Winslow. the young county
attorney, glanced keenly at Barretts
h~aIf-averted profile. BY a mighty ef-
fort Barrett preserved a calm and In
different co%untenance.
II rather thought you were out OF
the running-as slow as you are
Chan" Winslow went on "but then no.
body else has beer in 1t since Montfort
hit the trail to the Riker house-not
ever yours truly. The best ! can expect
is 10 be asked to do an usher stunt be-
fore very long" He screwed up his
fare comIcally. "Weli, so long. CHAM
I'm going down to see how the river
looks. See you later"
Barrett looked after his blithe In
formant like one In a 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 difident, 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 Angelina
from the IN of Introduction. SO
their sweet intimacy came to Its end,
and now 1t was public surmlse that
she was soon to marry Montfortl
The early March wind had held a
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 ont
the air was colder, and there was ex-
element In the town. There had been
heavy rains and the ice gorge across
the river just below the town (Which
the river circled) holding back the
Good 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 mum
dated. Hurried preparations we're 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 po-
lice, and Hiram Spinner, a 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 filled the riyer-Ro
boat could be rowed to their rescue.
There was nothing to be done but to
walt 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 hank.
Angeline Riker was among the women.
Montfort was u there, and An@c-
line was afraid for him, but something
tASt i'h ais NdhrNi hNtkhNh NlCol
on her neart-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 n still runnlng-no chance
Of launching n bont before noon. But
nUon came ind the two boats that sev.
eral times made the attempt narrowly
escaped being capsized, and the men
were compelled to turn back.
Dusk came with its promise of a bit
ter night.
1--WE can't let those four brave fell
lows freeze ont there tonight" the
mayor said that %eveaing somehow
wesmusi ger relief To them"
Out Of the crowd stepped a big dark
fellow, wearing no coat, but a flannel
shirt, knickerbOckers and tennis shoes.
1--WE a plan, sir" he said. 1--WE been
thinking of IL for several hours. A man
might crawl along the telephone Gable
that's stretched across the river and
drop down on the bari believe the
line is low e~nough-and get a o to
the bar. Then a boat could be pulled
over, The rowing would be easier
coming his way"
But II would be a desperate under
taking" the mayor objected.
II know" Barrett answered. "rm
willing to risk IL. The mercury's stead.
lily going down. We can't, as you say,
let the boys pass another twelve hours
out there. I'm a good climber. and"
he smiled, II made my will. sir. an
hour ago. | am not afraid"
With his shirt pockets hnlgins with
cakes OF chocolates for the marooned
aiea and 4 slender cord lied around his
waist. Barrett was holsted 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 Uhan far