The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-11-12
ASpringfield Mans Vacation.
From the Republican,

ASpringfield Mans Vacation.
From the Republican
NJ. Cagwin took his vacation last
week. He had waited for it all sum
mer. Lcafy June and sultry August
had tempted him, cquaintances at Sar-
atoga had cried, Come but, only
smiling, he had gone on directing the
affairs of his prosperous clothing house
on Main street; he had higher aspira-
lions than they. Other vacations had
mingled bitter with their sweet; not
SO this one. Mr.. Cagwin would eschew
stereo1yPed enjoyments and 60 back to
Nature; he would float down the Con-
nerticut river in an open boat. Be-
tween his face and his ledger ofttimes
fitted visions Of h;nlSelflec!ining in his
rocking boat IS both swept noiselessly
past fertile farms and busting villages
into the shadow Of the everlasting hills,
whose tops, tree-crowned, reelected
in the water; through forests
Showering their leaves gold,
crimson ana evergreen--upon the
majestic current rushing on to the IL
liinltab.e sea. Meals and lodgings were
of''ittle moment; he had enough of
each at home. With characteristic
caution. however, Mr.. Cagwin did not
tell his plans, but, Tuesday afternoon.
he went away. His boat was not all
fancy had painted; in fact. it was
mere tub, too heavy to row, had Mr..
Cagwln been able to WELD his oars with
the dexterity he had supposed his by
inherent right. Water came unbidden
through the seams, and the seat of the
boat was like the SHARP and ragged
edge of despair. The wind was much
colder on the river than on Main
street, and Mr.. Cagwin essayed
to row. The first stroke brought
his knuckles together with terrific
force, and. the next instant, the right
oar baked and refused to come out of
the water. With a terrible effort Mr..
Cagwin saved the stubborn oar from
the bottom of the river, but, but ere his
heart ceased its unwonted palpitation,
the left oar cut under water; at which
Mr.. Cagwin mindful Of his former ex-
perience, grasped the left oar with both
hands, the boat few around, the oar
came out of the row-lock and Mr.. Gag
win sadly, but impetuously, lay down
in the bottom Of the boat. The next
hour, he got on better, and, the second
day. appeared at Hartford, a happy,
b!istered man.
Probably no one will ever know why
MIR. Cagwin stopped at Hartford. but
the next afternoon saw him assist one
of Hartford iairest daughters into the
boat, which presently hoatcd down the
river. 1t is needless to say that Mr..
Cagwin was occupied; it is not strange
that he should have forgotten mere
material oars, but when he looked for
them one was gone. Night was coming
on, and the station where the lady was
to take the evening train homeward was
far in the distance. 1t vas a time for
action. and Mr.. Cagwin rowed nobly--
with one oar. No houses wer- IN sight
and the shades Of evening shut in first
one bank Of the river and then
the other: the train that
should have taken the lady home
Numbered past, bu. no light promised
rest and shelter. At last and after the
lady S elongating countenance had un.
fastened her bonnet-strings, light ap-
peared. Slowly the boat drew to the
shore, and numb and cold the unhappy
twain struggled through the bushes at
the rivers bank and gazed at the long.
wet meadow beyond which cleaned the
light. Cloth slippers we're little protec-
ton from the cruel frost, and Mr.. Gag
win bravely offered to carry his fair
Daintily he gathered her
in his arms, but hardly had he advanc-
ed score Of yards when there came a
terrible sensation Of falling, and Mr..
Cagwin, with horrible contortions, sat
down in the bottom Of ditch. with the
at!y on his head. She promptly decid-
ID to walk, but, ere the distance was
ixlf gone over, she became entangled in. !
! hedge and escaped. in incomplete cos
.une.
Finally. they reached the lighted
house. A man came to the door and
DOLLY heard their explanation: he was
'ery sorry, but his folks were sick, and |
,e could not shelter the travellers. Then |
lie went into the house and shut the ,
loor. A large dog came out as soon as !
he man went in, and Mr.. Cagwin and !
lis charge went across the street to an
ther house. Here the unfortunates !
old their story with the eloquence of i
lespair, but the woman at the door, in |
low. sad voice, replied: Il should i
Ike to help you. but we are sick
ere" The man of the house was i
ot At home at the next place visited, /,
ut boy told Mr.. Cagwin that there i
AS hotel half . mile up the street.
! man with > wagon said that the hotel |,
'as about mile and half away. and Ii