Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-26
gtIttte1 O aI&.
On the Steamboat.
FROM TIE GERMAN

IT was very warm day in the middle o.
August The steamboat Magnolia was going
fast down the Eba, and if you had been there
YOU would have looked with no less pleasure
than did on the old castles and quiet town!
that fringe both banks of that beautiful river
The passengers were sitting in large easy
2hairs beneath the wide awning that shaded
the deck OF the boat Some of them went for
ward so as to get little air, and some even
hung their arms down at the bow, SO as to get
some Of the cool spray over their hands,
Two children. boy and girl, were on the
steamboat, travelling with their mother
Charles and Louise were very warm as was
every one else. They could not keep in one
place In one minute they would he sitting
together with their mother, and the next they
would be off looking ut the engine. or asking
one of the cooks when dinner would be ready,
or examining the names on the trunks of pas
SengerS They had already eaten number of
oranges and it was still two hours before diuner
would be ready What could they do.
They stroIled off to the forward part of the
steamboat where the third class passengers
were. These persons had no awning over them,
but they seemed to enjoy their sail great deai
loungiug in their large chairs under a pleasant
shade The two children happened to come
close up to gardeners hoy. He was about
fifteen years old, and had been working as the
assistant Of gardener Oh q noblemans estate.
lie had q sunburnt face, beautiful brown ewes,
and long silken hair. There was a large wa
termeIon lying at his feet but be has looking
steadily at the right bank of the river as if lie
We're expecting the boat to stop at some place
When Charles and Louise saw the suIpndid
watermelon they stopped suddenly and stood
beside the yonng man Their mouths watered
for il, the weather was so very warm
What will yon take for your melon p
asked Charles of Fritz-for that was the name
bis hat replied:
" 1t is no, for sale, sir. AS soon as the seam
boat stops, it will be taken awav" And then
Fritz looked away along the river TO ste if the
boat was not almost TO the town OF Schandan.
" How sorry am for that replied Ch
" would give you double the value Of it. We
are so very thirsty"
" And mother is SO fond of watermelons, y
added Louise
But Fritz told them he could not sell the
melon, aud so he paid bnt little attention to
them. S0on he saw the high church steppes
OF Schandan, aud in a little while the steam
boat Was coming up slowly to the wharf
l0cn the bell rang and the people came crowd
'ns down to the wharf. Among the rest was
pretty peasant girl. She had a basket of
pears IN one hand, and wreath Of flowers aud
eVeTgreens hanging on her arm That was
Martha, the sister of Fritz She had come
down TO the boat to bring Fritz some pears and
wreath for he was going to Dresden to be
gardener for some one, and it would be long
while before they wonld meet again.
Martha Martha here am Come here.
nave got seat for you here The boat will
STOP quarter OF an hour, and we can have a
4 good talk before we separate" So Fritz spoke,
shn he was as glad to see his sister as if they
mad not seen each other fer years
Il Soon they were tulking about everything
they could think Of See here" said Fritz
this watermelon was given me b. nv employ.
3eF, aud have saved it for you. 1t is the
N largest one ever saw"
Thank yon, brother And here is a wreath
and basket of pears for you So we will make
an exchange. Oh | wish | was living in
$50 family | get almost nothing VIII re
an living, hot even enough to buy my clothes" :"
Don't grieve, dear sister ; l shall get good
"aSeS' and will send you part of my earnings,
Is'ery TWO weeks. You will not want for any
u; ,bH'g while live. | will take your pears and
.u'nh ol you every time | eat one This beau
''I, Wv wreath will keep as long as live"
While Fritz and Martha were talking, the
~" rang lor the oat TO start But Martha
VA h %a0 "o' as quick as she had intended, and the
bot as was actually off and the plank pulled in
I.One sba she got to the gangway. Poor girl,
w. W. "ept as her heart would break And Fritz
on ePt 'oo But he encouraged her afterward,
n'Ou;U NJ" ;Ulu ner that the Lord had promised to
,oiae r",. Tor the fstherless, and certainly he
OuIo take care of them "Dresdren is a
n e'1y'" he said, and may be you can get
,sS o'ou nome there. Don't you remember what
"fl'ten in large letters over our little cot