The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-07-24

If it might be true, for in moment after
they were carrying long two-inch planks
down to the river bank. Here space
was cleared next the water. and fou1
lines of timber "ways," or slides, were
laid down heading into the water, Sc
curely fastened together, and then liber-
ally spread with grease and oil. Then,
under Ralph's directions, two-inch planks
were laid side by side on the ways till q
platform was made one hundred and
eighty feet long and about twenty feet
wide in the center. More men began to
arrive. and every one who could drive
nails was promptly engaged, and within
an hour forty men were at work on the
new boat.
With chalk and line Ralph struck a
line through the center of the platform,
and from this struck out q curved line
on each side, and then bade the men
saw off the planks to the curved line.
This gave q long slender platform, ten
feet wide at the upper end, or stern,
twenty feet wide near the center, and
running off to long slender point at
the lower end, or bows, of the future
boat. Then upon this platform was laid
a rough coat of paint, dozen men ply
ing the brushes at once, and then came
more planks, laid lengthwise. The two
platforms were cut to the same form,
and were quickly spiked together.
The men suggested that such long
and slender raft would never hold to-
gether.
"Wait and see," said Ralph. "Now
for the scantling we have been getting
out at the mill. Bring it down by the
cart-load. Now, men, have your bits
ready for boring nail-holes in the stuff.
Make the holes a foot apart the whole
length of the strips"
In moment or two several pieces of
scantling were ready, and taking one in
hand Ralph laid it along the edge of the
till strip had been laid entirely round
the raft. As the strips were long and
flexible, they were easily bent to fit the
curved lines of the platform. At the
upper end the cross pieces were nailed
together, and at the bow end the strips
were brought to a point and fitted to an
upright piece set up at the end of the
platform. Then through the center of
the platform was laid another strip from
end to end, while at intervals of about
five feet cross-pieces were laid from side
to side.
strip over strip, and nail them firmly one
to the other through the holes, till the
sides are six feet high break the joints
of the strips and nail-holes; lay on the
paint freely rs you go, and we shall
soon have steamboat without ribs.
The cross-pieces will brace her, and
she'll carry a big cargo. even if she isn't
very pretty"
The men, unaccustomed to marine
architecture, greeted this novel system
of bodybuilding with pleasant surprise
and went to work with n will. More
men arrived, and the clatter of twenty
hammers going on at once made tho
woods ring. The sun went down, afid
torches and bontires were lighted. A boy
was sent round for the mems suppers
that there might be no delay. The pas.
scngers of the wrecked steamer were be-
slowed in sundry farmhouses, Farmer
Besant taking his share at two dollars
each. The news of the bodybuilding
spread quickly. and the people flocked
down to the mill-yard to see the work
and with them came all the passengers
Among them came Farmer Besant and
the captain of the Pioneer. The farmer
walked about the curious structure now
rapidly rising, and seeing the enormous
consumption of scantling. he remon
strated in no pleasant mood.
What right have you to use up youl
customers stuff in this way?n
Hes failed" said Keystone, without
topping his work.
"How do you know? He may claim
it, and you are spelling thousands O
feet of good stuff on piece of folly"
Don't know about that said biz
fellow near by. Its about the smart
est idee / ever seen. Guess you belons
East. young manp"
Massachusetts. I've seen many
boat built without ribs, though non,
quite so big. She'll carry your cargo
captain"
'.Oh. she will when she's decked.
say, young feQer, don't you want to sci
her Just as she stands?n
"No. She is to be steamboat"
Farmer Besant felt confirmed in hi
views of young Keystone. He was
born foOl-come from the very home O
lunatics and visionaries.
"I'll give you three hundred dollar
tor her just as she stands, and finish he
myself"
"The Jane is not for sale"
Jane for sale9 Don't insult the girl
Mr.. Ralph"
"A little more paint-lay it on thick (!
Then he turned away to drive mor
nails.
Farmer Besant went home, intendin
| to tell Jane of the insult she had received
| He would never speak to Keystone agair
neither should Jane. Luckily Jane ha
gone to bed when he returned and kne,
nothing of the building of the boat.
Morning came and saw the sides of til
boat well advanced. Some men left fC
home and .rest, and Others took thei
| places. Even some OF the passenger
volunteered as painters and mai driver,
! There was no thought of the Sabbath
The excitement of the wreck, the arriv;
of so many strangers and the boat builC
ing brought everybody out of doors
and the yard was filled with peopl
watching the progress of the work.
! Among them came one with shinin
eyes and rosy blush upon her face. TIL
name of her lover was on every tongu,
The marked approval of the captain
the steamer, and the enthusiasm of h
engineer, won the confidence of the ruri
population. Keystone had always bee
considered an eccentric sort of fellow
but now, after all, there might be SOM
thing in him. These things she heal
and treasured in her heart. She ke]
out of sight in the crowd, but saw ever.
thing and heard everything with tt
greatest interest and pleasure. The
was man painting letters in blue {
the stern of the new boat. He had MAJ
a j, an A and an N, and was at work {
another letter, All, Jane-her nam
There was quite company of peop
watching the man, and when the nan
was finished there was little shout