Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-08-10
aNisttllanu.
TEN POUNDS REWARD.

A very pretty place to my fancy, is
Paulsham, with lock and dreamy
weir just above it, and wiliowy nit, in
whose dead water the pike love to lie,
below it, with sycamores, beech, and
aspens overhanging the sparkling river
from the smooth green lawns which
form its banks. The village is SMALL
free from the detilement of lading BAR
ges. The clean little inn, the "Swan, )"
with its gay garden running down to
the waters edge, is kept by one Thorn
as Beck, famous for his former strength
and skill as an oarsman; famous for
that fishing craft which every spring
secures him tho best catch of Thames
trout; famous for the home-brewed ale
which flows so softly down the parchcd
throat of the exhausted rover who,
mindful of "Old Beck g tap" has resist
ed the aIlurements of the "Jolly Young
Waterman" four miles-and such
miles, against current running like O
mill-dam-lower down; famous up to
daughters, whose faces cheered the eye,
as the beer they served did the esopha-
gus of the weary, blistered, thirsty, wa
tcr-bob.
AS their father held the inn and the
ferry, and was the proprietor of a whole
fiotilla of pleasure boats and fishing
punts, Susan and Betsey Beck were
considered good matches by the "Sons
of the Thames for miles up and down
the river, many of whom entered for
these "waterman's badges with purse Of
gold and Qoss of) freedom !" but they
turned up their pretty noses at all save
Joe and Harry Hamilton, two brothers
who were natives Of the same village,
and who, growing up with them, had
developed calmly and naturally from
playmates into lovers. a-ta .sa..r.
Two fine young fellows the Hamil-
tons were, and well known for skillful
and plucky rowing from Hen1y to
Rosherville, but they were not rich for
though they occasionally won consider.
able sums at different regattas, the mon
ey went as money earned that way
will--some in beer and skittles, the rest
in backing themselves for other match
es which they did not win.
Now, old Beck had no objections to
the Hamiltons for son-in-laws; they
were good enough lads, and all that, he
would observe, but the man who mar
ried his daughters must be able to keep
them as they had been used to be kept !;
and when Joe and Harry could each
show a wherry on the river, and fifty
pounds in the bank, he would add du-
plicate boats and fifties, and then they
could each take an apprentice, and live
comfortably, and have Miss Beck.
This was the state of affairs when first
made the acquaintance of the persons
concerned, some four Of five years ago,
and came to take great interest IN
this double courtship, for Joe Hamilton
is my trainer and especial friend. Ev-
cry morning and evening during my
stay at Paulsham, we scull over a GER
tain course together, he preceding me
with critical eye and constant advice,
as, Don't pull SO much with your
arms" Put your back into it," cleft
pull your left; !" dc. took a great
fancy to Joe the first time ever saw
him, he was SO delightfully."- blunt and
free from sycophancy.
1 II KNOW" said on that occasion, as
/ put on my Jacket after my expert
mental performance before him, aud
fishing, | own, for a compliment, for at
thai. time did not know him, ,--s
know that l am q bad sculler.n