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


From the Republican,
N. Cagwin took his vacation last
week. He had waited for it all sum-
mer. Leafy June and sultry August
had tempted him, acquaintance 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. Ny. Caswin would eschew
stereoiyped enjoyments and 90 back to
Nature: he wouio float down the Con-
ne"ticu. river il al open boat. Be-
tween his face and his ledger otttinaes
fitted visions Of h;nl>eiireclining 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.
be went away. His boat was not all
fancy had painted; in fact. it was a
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 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 seconc
day. appeared at Hartford. a happy
bliStered man.
Probably no one will ever know why
Mr.. Caswin stopped at Hartford, bu,
the next afternoon saw him assist one
Of Hartford iairest daughters into tbs
boat, which presently hoated down the
river. 1t is needless to say that Mr.
Cagwin was occupied it IS not strange
that he should have forgotten mer,
material oars. bu. when he looked fol
them one was gone. Night was comins
on, and the station where the lady wa,
to take the evening train homeward wa.
far in the distance. 1t was q time fol
action. and NJ. Cacwin rowed no bly,
with one oar. No houses were IN sigh
and the shades OF evening shut in frs
{ one bank Ct the river and the1
( the other: the train tina,
should have taken the lady home
Numbered past. bu. no light promise,
rest and shelter. At last. and after tn,
! lady elonsating countenance had IN
/ 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 a
! the rivers bank and sazed al the long
wet meadow beyond which cleaned the
light. Cloth slippers were little protec
ton from the cruel frost. and Mr.. Gag
win bravely offered to carry his fail
/ companion. Daintily he gathered hel
in his arms, but hardly had he advanc.
ed score Of yards when there came q
terrible sensation Of falling, and Mr.
Cagwin. with horrible contortions, sat
down in the bottom Of ditch. with the
lady on mis- head. She promptly decid
ed to walk. but, ere the distance was
hzlf gone over. she became entangled in
q hedge and escaped. in incomplete cos
tune.
Finally. they reached the lighted
house. 4 man came to the door and
coolly heard their explanation: he was
very sorry. but his folks were sick. and
he could not shelter the travellers. Then
he went into the house and shut the
door. 4 large dog came out as soon as
the man went in. and Mr.. Cagwin and
his charge went across the street 70 an.
other house. Here the unfortunates
told their story with the eloquence Of
despair. but the woman at the door, in
low. sad voice, replied: Il should
like to help you. but we are sick
here The man Of the house was
not at home at the next place visited,
but boy told Mr.. Cagwin that there
Vas hotel half mile up the street.
4 man with wagon said that the hotel
vas about 8 nile and half away. and