The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-11-22

ever knew made herself an idiot over an
ugly little high-tempered wretch-and
married him, too. Never be surprised
at anything woman may do when she
is in love-"
The doctor lighted cigar and puffed
away in thoughtful silence. He finished
the cigar, and grandpa went in to bed,
and to sleep, and to snore but the
promenaders did not return. He tossed
the blazing stump away, with mutter-
ed something that was not exactly
benediction, and marched off to bed
with very resolved sir and much
roughened forhead.
The next afternoon was so tempting
that Lutte found it impossible to sit in
stay indoors while there was such SUM-
shine and such fresh green outside. So
she put on her sun-bonnet, and with
ing tackle in the other, set out for the
pond to spend the afternoon in
way after her own heart. "Farra's
Pond" as it was called, was the admira-
ton and envy of the whole county. 1t
was in deep hollow, shaded by beauti-
fnl trees, and was so large that strangers
often mistook it for lake, much to old
Mr.. Farra's delight. 1t had been dug
by the present owners father when the
adjoining city was but humble village.
1t was favorite resort of Lute's, partly
on account of the fine fish in which it
abounded, and partly because Of its own
lovely quietness.
She went to the skiff, put her bait in,
and then got in herself, unloosed it, and
padded out beyond the shadows of the
trees into the warm sunshine. She took
in her paddle and laid it across her lap,
baited her hook, and dropped it gently
in the water, elevated her feet on the
seat in front of her, aud began to enjoy
herself greatly.
After while she began to read, at
first with her attention divided between
her bobbing cork and her book, but the
book soon got the best of it. The ven-
turesome fish nibbled away at her bait
without her noticing it; but finally big
fellow got the hook in his unfortunate
mouth, and gave the line such jerk as
to bring her back from the classic shades
of Mount Latmos. 1t did not bring her
back without start, though, and that
start sent the paddle in her lap spinning
in the water, and came very near send
ing her book after it, but it fortunately
fell in the bottom of the boat instead.
Lutte was too keen afisherwoman to waste
thought ON such trifing things as
paddles and books at such moment as
this. Her whole heart was on the end
of her line. After dozen abortive eff.
forts, iii which she came near capsizing
her little skiff, she brought the fish out
of the water, painting and wriggling,
and regarded him in triumph.
"What beauty - she said, disen-
gaging her hook from his mouth. He's
the biggest one ever caught here. He
must weigh at least five pounds" Lute's
ideas of weight were defective. "Won't t
Ben be Jealous? There, old fellow, lie
there. Now I must get that plagued
paddle"
But that plagued paddle was far be-
yond her reach now, and was floating
TRANQUILITY off to shore "It's a good
thing there's another in the bottom of
the boat, of I should be in bad fix, ~
soliloquized Lutte, as she threw out her
line again. "Im glad my book didn't
fall in the water. don't think I'll read
any more now; feel in fishing hu-
NOR" and the lately caressed book was
allowed to lie neglected in the bottom OF
the boat-a touching example of the
tickleness of human favor.
She fished on till nearly dark even
then the fish were biting so well that
she could hardly prevail on herself tc
stop. But the air was growing chilly
and she knew she ought to be in the
house. She resolutely drew in her line
and wrapped it around the pole, lowered
her feet, reached down in the boat fol
the remaining paddle
The paddle wasn't there
She felt nervously in every impossible
place for the missing paddle, but it was
nowhere to be found. Well, she was il
fix Out in the middle of the pond
with no possible means of getting tt
shore Night was coming on rapidly
and she was already shivering with cold
was they would think she was in town
visiting some one.
But the house wasn't very far of
maybe they could hear her if she callet
out very loud. She rose to her feet, ,ant
opened her mouth to give a prodigiou
yell but she couldn't speak above
whisper. The chill night air had brough
her cold to this climax.
Lutte sat down, overwhelmed. Their
was nothing she could -absolntel,
nothing. She would have to stay on
there all night, and she knew-there wa
no use mincing matters-lt would be tn
death of her. She looked tragically int
the growing darkness, and thought, evel
if they came there to look for her, the,
couldn't see her from the shore, and sh'
J wouldn't be able to utter a sound to le
them know she was there. She forgo
there was such a thing as moon at night
, But stop she could utter a sound
thank Heaven, she could whistle. He
| face frightened as she thought of thi
despised accomplishment of hers. Wit
rising spirits, she drew her overskir
S over shoulders to keep herself warmer
and began to whistle Schubert's "Sere
+ made in her finest style. The bird
started in their nests as the strang
t sweet notes foated toward them, the
dropped their drowsy little heads an
slept more soundly than ever. Music i
: a good thing, but sleep is better-a
4 night.
Whistling is proverbially good fo
keeping up ones courage. Lutte foun
! her courage nightly refreshed by il
q She sat there for nearly an hour, whist
l ling every thing she knew she eve
began to enjoy herself, after a fashion
, The moon soon rose, and filled ever
Q place with subdued shadow or sol
q light. There was a sweet stiffness O
7 every thing. She stopped whistling
g moment to enjoy it more fully. Ever
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