The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-01-04
THE RIVER WklF.
A STORY OF THE THAMES.

1t was calm, still evening. The
broad bosom of the Thames was scarcely
ruffi5d by the little breeze that stirred
the dropping sails of some of the river
craft. Over the city and over the forest
-cf mas's, the round full moon was rising.
ToucRjng the dome of st. Paul's, it
glanced down over roofs and under
bridges till il lay broad path of light
ON the sleeping riyer. The gas lamps
ficaered and looked pale before its light,
and-mnpy a weary pedestrian, hurrying
across the: crowded bridges which span
the river, paused a moment to gaze at
the. .full-orbed globe which even to weary
eyes waS wnnlrcus revelation of
beauty.
It was dark under the bridges, and the
water tapping = INST the,piers had some
thing mournful in It's sound One Of the
iaslow river b2rges was just passing into
the -, John Briggs, her owner,
lo.>6 inst the tiller, guarding his
-, carefully through 'hear"hes.
Ne:TV1 low his nephew Ben seat
ed, pull + one long oar.
, ste ~, Ben ~ called out the master,
war1lingf
T'Stcahy it is" and Ben drew in his
oar q LITTLE.
Out Pinto the light again the boat
c1ne 4owly creeping, eagerly watched
by LITTLE figure standing on one of the
water ~ lirs. AS they came closer, he
sent 0Sit to them feeble piping hail.
Joar Briggs shaded his eyes with his
hand "Why, bless my soul ~ Pop
pets! Bring her near, Ben, 80 l4e cnn
|; come aboard"
: Then strong hearty shout was sent
back i'll answer, while the bont's head
slowly turned toward the stair
|. (John Briggs took his pipe out of his
la1uthss to welcome the new conner.
EWhy, Poppets, we was gettin' oneasy
31Tout you, me an Ben. We thought
you'd got lost, mebbe."
= : "lIe lost Why, dad!',, land they both
laughed heartily huge enjoyment Of the
Joke, the thin treble of the one ringing
pleasantly through thd gruf' bass of the
other.
"Well, Poppets," and John Briggs
resumed his pipe, "wot has you bought
fur us, fur t won't be long afore we
wants our supper"
The little boy knelt down beside his
basket which he had set with great care in
a corner, and touching each parcel as he
went rapidly over his list
There's the tobacco, dad, and the tea
and sugar, and bacon and herrin' sand
oh, dad! / got some crosses. They looked
so green, and pretty. like the fields / got
'eIA uss OF that"
Ho hot" laughed Ben, who was list
ening; but his uncle frowned him into
sudden gravity, then nodded kindly at
the flushed, eager face:
It's all right, my lad. Crosses is
VERY good for the health, as my old
mother used to say"
They're too pretty TO eat most, " said
the boy, toucling them tenderly.
well, Poppet's, whatll we have for
supper, so Sein' it's your watch?"
"Oh, dad, helrin's! They're so good,
and I'm awful hungry
" Very good, my lad. Here, stew
ard, " to Ben, who grinned in appreciation
OF the never failing joke, "you hear the
capin. He says herrins for supper, and
consequently heTins it is.
" Now, cap'in," said John Briggs,
gravely, "if so be as you'll mind the
tiller bit, I'll take the oar, an by the
tune Ben's got supper We'll be ready to
higher and higher rose the moon.
N,vering the masts and spars of the
m2ny vessels crowded in the docks. The
barge was anchored now and Ben. his
Iabors ended, was stretched sound asleep
{ a the deck. Further aft, John Briggs
and Poppets were seated on a coil of
rope, talking in low tones-the child
holding clasped in both his the hard
rough hand of the other.
- -" Now, dad, tell me bout that night"
ne was saying and " dad, drawing him
yet never tired of, story.
=, Wen, Poppets, it was n night Just
hike tins, a clear full moon an a light
breeze MOI much more'n tonight, for /
remembers tue sails O the vessels round
hung lust hF rags. Well, we was kind
Y driinn along. Ben was at the tiller.