Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-11-12

could give me seat. have long way
to go, and I am tired"
We looked at him and at each other.
It was a free-and-easy style of asking a
favor; but he seemed a gentleman, and
an elderly one too. Common politeness
dictated civility.
CT am afraid" said ALT, eve have
hardly room; she's only built for three"
"On, that doesn't matter" he said;
"yoL can put me anywhere, or I'll take
an oar for one of you"
1 was on the point of advising point
blank refusal, not approaching his Off
hand manner; but ALI thought differ
entity.
"All right" said he; eve don't mind
if you don't. Steer her in, Jack"
steered her in. No sooner were we
near the shore, than quite Unexpectedly
he stepped almost on my toes, rocking
the boat from side to side.
"Hang it'll" I said, "take care, or
you'll have us over"
"What if / do?" he returned. "It'll
only be swim; and who minds swim
in weather like this7"
We stared at him; the GOODNESS, not to
say impertinence, of the remark, was
amazing. Begging a seat in our boat,
knowing it was full, and then telling us
he didn't care if he split us in the river !!
He seated himself by me, setting the
boat see.sawing again, crushing me into
corner; and without asking with your
leave or by your leave, took the steering
lines from my hands and slipped them
over his shoulders.
excuse me-" said, making a snatch
at them; "but if you'll allow me-"
E" Not at ALL" he said, ct always like
something to do, and expect you've
had enough of it,"
His GOODNESS was amazing: he was i'm
penetrable. [ know [ for one regretted
we were such mules as to have anything
to do with him. We waited in silence 8
second or two.
"Come," he said, "when are you going
to start2" E#
Perhaps" said ALI, bit nettled,
" as you're in our boat a self-invited
guest, you'll let us choose our own time"
The stranger said nothing; he sat
stolid and silent. Tom and ALI set off
rowing; the stranger steered right across
the stream.
:, n Where !. are :, you goingS' said ALI
"Pm going into the shade; the SUMS
too strong"
He had the lines; we could hardly in.
sist on his keeping one side if he preferred
the other; he took us right to the op.
posite bank, under the shadow of the
willow trees. For some minutes neither
of us spoke. With him cramming me
on my seat and ramming his elbows into
my side, nay position was not pleasant
At last let him know it:
81 don't know if you are aware you
are occupying all my seat
He turned on me short and sharp.
All at once I noticed his left eye going
up and down like blinking owl; his
mouth was wide open, disclosing as ugly
set of teeth as should care to see
Like fash, DIR. Rawle's words crossed
my mind; tall, strong, about forty-fve,
iron-gray hair; habit of chewing his
teeth and winking his left eye. Gracious
powers! was it possible we had lunatic
with us unawares? I know the posi-
bility, nay, the probability of such a
thing made me feel more than queer.
If there is anything in the world / in
stinctively fear, it is mad persons. I
know little of them, have never been in
their company. Possibly my ignorance
explains my dread; but the idea of sit
ting in the same boat and on the same
seat with man who
DR.. Rawle's warning, "Don't let MIN
made me bound from my seat like Jack
in-the-box. The boat tipped right out
of the water, but l didn't care. The
man was glaring at me with cruel eyes;
my muscles were strung, my fists
clinched; every moment expected him
at my throat.
What the dickens are you up to?"
said ALI. What's the matter with
you?" -en
Excitable temperament, hot blooded
youth" said the stranger.
[ could have said something had I
chosen, but l preferred discretion;
didn't like his eyes.
"N-o-nothing," I said. CT think
I'll sit in the bow" I didn't wait to
learn if any one had an objection, but
swinging round, I scrambled past ALI
and tripped full length on to Toms
knees. The boat went up and down like
swing; it was miracle he was not over.
Is the fellow mad?" roared ALT.
At the word "mad" the stranger rose
up straight as post. "Mad!" he said ;
do you know SIR He checked himself
and sat down. "Pooh! he's only boy.'
In passing Tom I whispered in his ear.
"The lunatic,' I said.
What!" said Tom, right out loud.
"Bold your row, you COMPOUNDED don.
key! It's the man from DR.. Rawle'sp'
"The-"
He was going to say something
naughty know he was, but he stopped
short, and stared at him with ali his
eyes. Either Alf overheard me, or else
the same idea occurred to him at the
same moment, for the stopped, dead in
the middle of a stroke, and inspected
the man on the steering seat. Tom and
Alf went on staring at him for minute
or more. kept my head turned the
other Way to avoid his ewes. All tonco