The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-02-02
SELECTED STORIES.
A Strange Adventure.
Good morning, sir-a lovely day"

Good morning, sir-a lovely dayw
started rather guilty from the STOPPING
pnsition in which the voice of my unknown
colloauist had accosted me. In truth and
in fact, was engaged in examining the pad
locked moorings of graceful little boat,
whose keel lay on the shore, and medltatinS
to myself how very agreeable u row across
the crystal lake would be through the 81
lcnce of the purple August dnybrcak.
Good morning" | responded, turning
to meet the inquiring gaze of a tall, gentle
manly looking parsonage, apparently about
thirty-fivc years of age. who stood leaning
against a little gate.
~ beg your pardon, sir" | stammcrcd,
rather confused; III hope am not tres
passing on private grounds. y
"Wby. sir, YOU are undcniably on private
grounds" returned the stranger, smiling
''but think we wont call it by any such marsh 81
name as trespassing. You are S'"''"7
the neighborhood 2" ,,,,so f,r the
GUNNER I cyn1aincd; "and suppose my
mornin1 walk has led me further thah NJ
"'s "yo pro ohopt six miles from the house.
INV rot,,rnod nv companion, courteously.
"hnd Judging from your occupation when
I came down to the gate, you would not op-
icct to crossing back by water
laughed and acknowledged tne iac,'
''To tell you the truth, sir, was Just thihk-
ing how cool and pleasant short row would
he In fact, if the boat had not been iasten-
cd should most assuredly have braved
all consequences and boldly adventurcd the
experiment.
II think we can overcome that objection"
said the stranger, quietly turning to an old
ruined tree, whose gnarled trunk oyerhung
the transparent tide, and drawing key
from its hollow depths. suppose We get
up an appetite for breakfast together |
am not an experienced oarsman myself and
'GRRS9sss ySq me- sn o1pTpofSn and Ii
aon't indicate my education in aquatic
,is.'I nHid really, sir, this is an uncN-
you sufficiently for your courtesy"
"Then do not attempt it," said the gentle
man. ~ assure you the qualification is en-
trcly mutual. Pull to the right n little; We
shall get entangled in yondcr floating sheet
of water lilies II we are not careful. Upon
my word this is most perfect morning for
the water"
1t was, indeed Across the diamond gilt
ter of the lake the golden splendors of an
August sunrise were Just beginning to be re-
Elected and in distance u range of dim,
misty mountain peaks leaned against the
horizon like far off scntinels, almost losing |
tuclT OUTLINE Ill tne due rhulhnCc VI lnC |
coudless heavens.
~ wish l were an artist ~ broke almost |
involuntarily from my lips.
My companion smiled.
"Need man be an artist to enjoy the
beauties of such scene as this2" he asked.
"a little more toward yOnder point if you
please, sir. Nov VIC are out in the channel
and you can pull as hard or as easy as you
choose. The boat will almost move of her
self in fact
He threw down his oars and leaned back
in the stern adjusting his straw hat so as
TO shield his eyes from the vivid glare OF
the morning sunshine.
Zone scarcely thinks of civilization in
such q secluded spot as this he murmurcd
lazily. :" suppose there isn't living soul
within mile OF us always excepting birds
and fishcs.n
81 suppose not" assentcd
" But nevertheless, the forms and ccrc
monies of society cannot entirely be cast
aside. May | know whom have had the
pleasure of helping to an hours pleasure ~
drew my card from my waistcoat pocket
md handed it across with u smile.
"Vernon Charley, eli "A very pretty
lamo, sir. Congratulate myself on making
'our acquaintance, Will you allow me to
cciprocatc your frankncss ~
lie bowed low as he presented me with a
bit of brown paper that he cX.
ractcd from an old cigar case, Upon it was
Inscribed, in staring letters of red ink, the
me word, Albert"
Albert--who ~ l involuntarty qucs
Toned.
ALBEIT, sir y returned my companion,
tarting into a sitting posture and regarding
nc with stern dignity. Prince Albert, {
ir Albert of England, Scotland and l
Wales I" 5
=" To your knees, sir!" he said, with +
harp sudden impcriousncss. Have you !
q reverence for royalty p Z
| obcycd his quick sign, almost before
new what was doing. He smiled com. |
laccntly. at the same time drawing gaudy i
nscl star from his pocket and gravcly ailiX. i
~ il to the left breast of his coat. i
" Yes, my friend, " he went on impressive a
2, "you are now in the presence of the Il
rincc Consort of Great Britain Men have a
musCd themselves by disseminating the idle '
.lc that was dead that's all they know $
bout it, am not dead and. what is more, i
never shall die | am privileged with the /
1T of everlasting existence, As long as s.
ear this jowelcd star death can never u
)mc near me"
felt the cold perspiration oozing from e
very pore in my body | could almost ttd
y SUI kluN lltllN IL 'NNuiht lAllN A'H- | u
need that was out upon the solitary lake y
one with mailman l had heard, when "
st | came to this mountain retreat, that
lcrc was large asylum somewhere in the
cinity, but had never given the affair a y
cond thought. Now | was rcaping the W
of my own folly and reckless
5sS. il
Ills dark, piercing eyes roycd restlcssly
ON object to object suddenly they rested cl
my appalled, countonanCe b.
You don't believe what | am sayingln
Tho remembrance of what | had often 81
ad and heard about the cXprdicncy nay RI
Ic positive necessity-that existed for in
llging monomaniacs to the top of their I'll
mt. in whatever within might possess their hi
inds, occurred to me, and | hastened to AT
ply, "Of course believe it! Why
couldn't I?' in
"Ah, why shouldn't you, indeed But W
,uplc are So sceptical nowadays, Now, sc
hen Victor Emanual was staying at my
,usu. and Pope Plus came down by way of WI
q Mediterranean Take care, where are it.
~ going IN
Lad thought to take advantage OF the , c5r