Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-01-24

They came in grandly, darting like
birds through the smooth water, straight
and swift, for the bridge. The intent
watcher leaned far over the rails, and as
both bows simultaneously on opposite
sides of the central stone pier, uttered
an involuntary "Hurrah y that was like
an electric shock to the two excited
rowcrs beneath.
By George !" gasped David, trying
his best for breath, "we hit the pier in
the same second.
Ernest, in no condition to dispute
or assent, replied by nod, and the
ejaculation
"Tough one, wasn't it q
who's the party ON the bridge y
Ernest was saved an answer by the
appearance of the "party," who scram-
bled down an embf nkmcnt and ap-
preached radiantly.
Pretty we'll done, young gentle
men! Haven't seen such Il race since
my college days. Pretty evenly
matched. Now I should have said,
with glance from the powerful David
to his slighter companion, that this
young man had an advantage but it
seems not"
g Watch makes up in science what
he lacks in strength, " said David, mag
unanimously, grounding his boat.
Ernest initiated his friends example
remarking that "with all the science he
could muster, he had rarely won race
with Davy."
"A fine sight it was, indeed y re-
sumed their enthusiastic friend. 81
used to be remarkably fond of boating
before I got my fiesh-remarkably.
Some of my pleasantest hours have
been passed on the Charles river"
Son the Charles? You We're Il Cam
bridge student, then? We belong to
that persuasion" reioined David.
Harvards, are you? I'm glad to
hear it. Glad to have met you. Allow
me to introduce myself-name's Went
worth place is abouta quarter of
mile from here. My carriage is on the
bridge come and take glass of wine
with me and have chat about college
affairs"
The faces of the two recipients of
this invitation were studies. The name
was Wentworth, was it? Ernest pulled
his cap lower to hide the twinkle in his
eyes, and David abruptly picked up the
spoons of his wherry Neither had an
idea of refusing, though Ernest MUIR
INJURED something about appearance,
boating costume, etc. which objections
were promptly overruled by their new
friend.
"Boats are perfectly safe. I'll send
a man down to attend to 'em. Dress is
all right" pufled the old gentleman,
pulling himself up the embankment by
means of wiry shrub. Jump in,
jump in ~
Five minutes drive brought our
friends to the Wentworth place, the
goal of their desires, an ancient stone
mansion set in the midst of extensive
grounds. On the way up the avenue
the two visitors were electrified by see
ing the fuLter of muslin skirts on the
terrace. Immediately after both had
vision of blue eyes and curls and
dainty figure, and found themselves
bowing confusedly to My daughter
Ella," the divinity of their worship.
Both gentlemen were in Il maze most
of the afternoon. They had wine in the
shady dining room, through the win
dows of which they caught glimpses of
beds of bright autumn flowers. They
had stores of jovial anecdotes from
their host Then they had music in the
parlors and sweet commonplaces from
Miss Wentworth.
When our two friends were set down
on the piazza of their hotel at seven
o'clock that evening, both stood mo-
tionless, watching the carriage of their
new acquaintance rolling away. AS it
disappeared they first faced each other
blankly, then, by common impulse,
burst into fit of laughter. The in
augural remark was made by Ernest.
"This beats anything l ever heard
Of"
"It does. We're even, Watch.
Neither of us won the race, and neither
of us won the wager"
"Curious enough y reioined Ernest,
sohloquizing, as he turned away. 81
wonder which will win the lady?"
The enlightened reader must have
anticipated the results. Our colleglans
were not original in their love-making.
The odd feature in the case was the
dual love-making. The changes were
rung on riding, boating music, croquet,
and billiards, for three weeks. At the
end of that time, unfortunately for their
friendly feelings, they found themselves
as even i'll this race for II lady's favor
as they had been in the memorable race
down the river. Both were prodiglous
= and equal l-favorites with Mr.. Went
worth, both received gracious smiles
from Miss Wentworth, both made the
greatest efforts to please, and spent the
whole of their pocket-money in the at
tempt.
l do not know precisely when their
friendship became memory; but at
end of those three weeks they were
enemies, who endured each other for
the sake of appearance when they met
at the Wentworths' house, but outside
it never exchanged word, and regard
ed each other loweringly at meals and
in passage-ways. To add to the COM
plications of the affair, the 2Sth of Sep
tember approached, bringing with it the
dreaded necessity of returning to Cam
bridge.
The days flew by and each delayed
until the morrow, before putting his
fate to the test. On the 9th both must
go, and the 25th found each resolute to
ask the question that had become all
important to both, on the Goth.
The Goth came, and with it violent
autumnal storm. Iustead of proceed
ing to the Wentworth mansion for a
mornings croquet, our heroes found
themselves reduced to despair. David
misauthropically kept his room. Ell,