Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-09-02

'>'''~' ~''N VIZ wy sh'uhS OAV 40 SOuO iDb q
long time.
Fast and faster the man runs after him.
1t is very dark, but there is yellow streak
in the sky, where the moon is plowing
up furrowed mass Of gray clouds, and
one or two stars are blinking through the
branches Of the trees. t
Fast the boy follows, and fast the man
runs on with his weapon in his hand.
Suddenly he hears the joyous whoop, not
before but behind him. lie stops and
listens noiselessly; yet it is SO. lie
pushes himself into the thicket, and raises
his stake when the boy shall pass
On he comes running lightly, with his
hand in his pockets. A sound strikes at
the same instant on the ears of both and
the boy turns back from the very jaws of
death to listen. 1t is the sound of wheels,
and it draws rapidly nearer. A man
comes up driving a gig: d" Hilloa" he
says, in loud, cheerful voice. "What,
benighted, youngster?'
"Oh, it is you, Mr.. D-?" says the boy
"uo, l am not beuighted, or at any rate
know my way in the wood"
The man drew further back among
the shrubs. "Why, bless the boy" he
hears the farmer say, to think of our meet
ing in this way. The parsou told me he
was in hopes Of seeing thee some day this
week. III give thee lift. This is lone
place to be in this time O night.
Lone p says the boy, laughing. Il
don't mind that; and if you know the way,
it's as safe as the quarter deck"
So he gets into the farmers sig, and is
once more out of reach of the pursuer
But the man knows that the iarmer's
house is quarter Of a mile nearer than
the parsonage, and in that quarter of a
mile there is chance of committing rob.
berry. He determined still to make 40 at
tempt, aud cuts across the woods with such
rapid strides that he reaches the farmers
gate just as the gig drives up to it.
"Well, thank you," said the midship.
man, as he prepares to get down.
"Good night, friend" the farmer replies.
II say, my boy, it's dark night enough
but have mind to drive you to the par
sonage and hear the rest of this long story
Of yours about the sea serpent"
The little wheels 60 on again. They
pass the man and he stands still in the
road till tho sound dies away. Then he
filings his stake into the hedge and goes
back again. His evil purpose has been
frustrated-the thoughtloss boy has batfisd
him at every step.
And now tho little midshipman is at
home the joyful meeting has taken place
and when they have all admitted his growth
and decided who be is like, and measured
his height on the window frame. and seen
him eat his supper, they began to question
him concerning his adventures, more for
tho sake Of hearing him talk than any
curiosity.
Adventures !" says the boy, seated be-.
tween his father and mother on the sofa.
"Why, ma, I did write an account Of the
voyage, and there is nothing else to tell.
Nothing happened to-day--at least nothing
particular"
"You came by tho coach we told you?"
of?" asks his father. F
"Oh, yes, papa; aud when We got
about twenty miles there came up a beggar
while We we're changing horses, and threw
down, as thought, shilling, but as it fell
saw it sovereign. She was very hon.
est, and showed me what it was, but l
didn't take it back. for you know, mamma,
it's long time since l gave anything to
anybody" ~a
"Very true, my boy" his mother
answer, "but you should not be careless
with your money, and few beggars are wor-
thy objects of charity.
"I suppose you got down at the cross
roads ?" said his eldest brother.
eyes, and went through the wood. I
should have been here onerif | hadn't
lost my way there" .
"Lost your way% said his mother,
alarmed "my dear boy, you should not
have left the path at dark"
"Oh, ma" said the little midshipman,
with smile; "you are always thinking
| We are in danger. If you could see me
sometimes sitting at the jib-boom end, or
cross the .topmost cross-trees you
would be frightened. But what danger
can there be in q wood?"
swell, boy" she answers" l don't wish
to be over.anxious and make my children
uncomfortable by my fears. What did you
stray from the path for ?"
"Only to catch an owl, mamma; but |
didn't catch her, after all. l got roll
down the bank, and caught my jacket on a
thornbush; which was rather unlucky.
All these large holes see in my sleeve.
Aud so Iscrambled up again, aud got into
the walk, aud asked at the cottage for
some beer. What long time the women
kept me, to be sure. I thought it would
never come. But very soon after Mr.. D.
drove up in gig, and be brought me to the
gate" ea -
"Aud 80, this account Of your advsu.
ures being brought to Close" his father
says, we discover there were no adven.
lures to tell" ggI.la ee
"No. papa, nothing happensd-uothing
particular, mean" .ay
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