Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-10
Of the dark side of human nature.


sunset. at last, "but it seems that this
boat is going fast"
Flying" said Harden.
blowing the smoke of blazes," said
little Jersey.
And II seems TO me we are in re-.
markably good iorm."
That's So" said Jersey. feel your
fingers on my oar"
"Well, they may beat US, but they'll
have TO work for il"
IL wanted only week OF the day,
when n dreadful whisper stole through
the club that Rogers was falling of. 1t
was too true be had trained too fine. and
job was Joke TO him. The whole
club turned out in force, and there were
a dozen men at one time in our quarters
bringing up reinforcements OF hot poul
,ices. 1t was Of Nd use. Rogers had to
lie by, and we had 10 do the best we
could again, gnash our teeth, and take
Devlin for what he was worth in the
place. Give it to him gently" said
Harden on the first night; so we pulled
at good but reasonable gait down 10
the turning point. rested under the green
shadow OF the great hills there that fell
transparent that we seemed 10 be swing
ing in bubble, the face OF the river, far
and near. still as u crystal except where
our kee! had ripped through il. and we
went back al little livlier rate, and
Devlin was very well pleased with him
self. The next day we quickened mat
ters considerably; but on the third, as
we stepped in. | said, Now, Devlin
look 10 yourself" gave The stroke. and
We shot away. Before We reached the
shadow of the hills Devlin was swinging
about his seat and rowing all at loose
ends.
Hold hard, old boyp muttered Jer-
sey behind him. Pm nearly blown my
self, but I'll never say diew Devlin
picked himself up for the time. but u
moment or two after we turned he cried,
or rather gasped, Gentlemen. il this is
the way sou row, must get out of this
boat. What's more. you don't need me-"
Sick of it P' said Jersey, encouraging
ly. 80 am l. Should like TO throw it
up myself"
Ease him of little, Geofreys." said
Harden; and We came in leisurely. But
after one or two days further labor there
was no complaint from Deylin. Pm
going to put it through if it breaks
things" said he; and he rowed as the
rest did-as if he had but one heart in
tour bodies.
The day before the race the Gsths ar
rived. Oh course We had to receive
them. do the honors, aud show them the
town and the girls and the river. With
them came their bost--a swell thing, |
can assure you. covered to the nose with
linen. and in charge oil their own janitor.
AS we hadn'i any designs on their boat.
and although expecting them TO win,
only meant 10 make them earn their
honors, We didn't object to the isnitor.-
But when We went up 10 the boat-house
and saw him sitting there, the picture OF
gentle pity and complacent contempt for
all boatmen in creation but Gaths, we
knew what good reason be had for his
compiacency in the proud possession OF
his giants, and felt it slightly exasperat-
ing.
"How's the water" said l, as we
stepped down the slip, for the wind was
blowing through the hills in gusts, and
there was t. good chop on the river.
"Cam's pond" said be. placidy.
We looked at each other and groaned
inwardly-the Gaths had always rowed
! on the bay, about the same as sea-water
and we had rowed on q smooth island
surface; u chop and swell that would an
| nihilate us would be water over which
they would skim like so many oe'r the
plain. But We went of quietly, sere-
nading the janitor with "Weel may the
boatie row |" as we went. Our new boat
had come, and waited for US, outriggers
and all, and we had taken her down TO h
spot secure from observation, and given
her thorough trial. She was a beauty,
and from the moment she took water an
sSered to our willnot merely like steed
beneath its rider, but as the breath does
in ones nostrils. We came in after our
hreather on an easy jog. and there sat the
ianitor as we had lett him. IL say" said
he, with the air of keeping the sad Sc.
cret from our superiors. as came up the
slip-"I say. Is that the best you Can
doP"
BEST ?" answered. Il can't say that
it is. We weren't on our mettle just
now, you know. l suppose we could
do q little better on a spurt. But per-
haps that is fair average"
"Pm sorry for you" said he. with
really compassionate condescension, not
that we were simply to be beaten. but
that we wore to be beaten ont of sight.
But / had heard that in diplomacy it is
sometimes what is not said counts, and
there were certain things to be read be.
tween the lines OF my reply.
Well, we were pretty sore set ths,