The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-09-17

stout boys were there fishing. Charles
hailed them, and told them II they would
row him across the pond a. quick as they
possibly could, be would give them quar-
ter Of dollar spieee. This, in their view,
was splendid offer for their services, and
they jumped on board with alacrity and
managed the oars. Charles took q paddle
and stood in the stern to steer the boat and
help her ahead. The distance by water wal
q little less than by land, and, although
Stephen had considerably tho start OF him,
he believed he should be able to reach the
school house first, especially, it Stephen
should not see him and quicken his pace
In one minute after be arrived at the wharf.
the boat was under full way.
The boys laid down to the oars with right
good will, and Charles put all strength upon
the paddle. They were shooting over the
water twice as fast as q man can walk, and
Charles already felt sure of the victory.
But when they had gone about half mile,
they came m the range of little opening
in the trees on the shore, where the road
was exposed to view, and there at that crit
ical moment, was Stephen pursuing his easy
walk. Charles heart was in his mouth.
Still it was possible Stephen might not see
them, for he had not yet looked around.
Lest the sound of the oars might attract his
attention, Charles had instantly, on coming
in sight, ordered the boys to stop rowing,
and he grasped his paddle with brsatbless
anxiety and waited for Stephen again to
disappear. But just as he was on the point
of passing some trees where there the boat
would be out of sight, Stephen turned his
head and looked around. He stopped short,
turned square round, and stood for the
space of minute looking steadily at the
boat. Then. lifting his hand, and shaking
his fist resolutely at Charles, as much as to
say, understand you, he started into a
quick run.
"Now, boys" said Charles, /" buckle to
your oars for your lives, and if you get to
the shore so can reach the school-house
before Stephen does, III give you half a
dollar apiece"
This, of course, added new life to the
boys, and increased the speed Of the boat.
Their little canoe flow over the water like a
bird, carrying white bone in her mouth,
and leaving long ripple on the CLASSY wave
behind her. Charles hands trembled, but
still he did good execution with the paddle.
Although Stephen upon the run was differ
ent from Stephen at slow walk, Charles
had still hopes of winning the race and
gaining his point. He several times caught
glimpses of Stephen through the trees, and
as be could judge, the boat had little the
best of it. But when they came out into
the last opening, where, for little way,
they had fair view Of each other-Charles
thou ht Stephen ran faster than ever; and
he was considerably nearer the
school.housc than Stephen was, he still
for tho result. They were now
within fifty yards Of the shore, and Charles
again appealed to the boys love of money.
"Now," said he, eve have not minute
to spare. If we gain the point, Pll give
you dollar apiece"
The boys strained every nerve, and
Charles paddle made the water fly like the
tail of wounded shark. When within half
a dozen rods of the shore, Charles urged
them again to spring with all their might,
and one Of the boys making desperate
plunge upon his oar, snapped 1t in two.
The first pull Of the other oar headed the
boat from land. Charles saw at ence that
the delay must be fatal, if he depended upon
the boat to carry him ashore. The water
was but three feet deep and the bottom
sandy. He sprang from the boat and rushed
towards the shore as fast as he was able to
press through the water. He flew up the
bank and along the road until he reached
the school house. The door was open, but
be could see there was no one within. Sew
eral children were at play about the door,
who having seen Charles approach, with
mouth and eyes wide open, stared at him.
. Where's the school ma'am ?" said
Charles hastily, TO one of the largest boys.
"Why," said the boy, opening his eyes
still wider, els any of the folks dead 20
"You little rascal, | say where's the school
ma am 20
"She Just went down the road" said the
boy, "two or three minutes ago.
"Was she alone?" said Charles.
'.She started Alone" said the boy, Sand
q man met her out there little way, and
turned about and went with her."
Charles felt that his cake was nil dough
again, and he might as we'll give it up for
bad job and 90 home. Stephen Jones and
Lucy Brown walked very leisurely through
the woods, and the boys went very leisurely
in the boat across the pond. They evea
stopped by the way and caught a mess of
fish, since the boys had thrown their lines
into the boat when they started. And when
they had reached the wharf, Charles, IN
order to show that he had been a fishing,
took large string of fish in his hand and
carried them up to the house. Miss Lucy
Brown, on her way through the woods, had
undoubtedly been informed of the proposed
tea party for the evening, to which she was
to be invited, and to which Stephen Jones
and Susan Jones were not invited, and when
Miss Lscy's invitation came, she sent word
tbnt ha on11JpI