The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-07-24
RIDGWAY ELK COUNTY, PA. THURsDA
Cant you sell the lumberP" said


Jane, with ready common sense.
81 have used part of it in making
the barge. If l get the money for saw
ing the cargo. / shall have just enough
to pay every bill, but with nothing left"
She stood up, and placing hand on
each shoulder calmly kissed him.
"Thank you, love, for the compli-
ment."
II heard the engineer say the-the
Jane would make a good freight steamer
if she were engined."
"Did hep That's not bad idea.
had thought she would make some kind
of craft. Oh! Perhaps l could buy
the engines out of the steamer. They
will sell them cheap.
II thought you had failed and lost
everything"
"No. / can't fail while l have YOU.
What further sentiment he would
have INDUCED in cannot be known, for
"She's bout ready to Slide" said the
big captain. Seeing Jane, he took off
his hat and said, politely, "Will the
young lady name the boatp"
1.-THE boat is named the Jane Besant.
Let me present my friend Miss Besant,
captain"
boat the Nancy X, after my wife. It
brings luck"
The buiIt-up sides of the boat and the
interior crossword that braced her and
held the hull together in every direction
had been raised six feet high. Boards
were laid down on top to form deck,
and she was ready to be put afloat. The
captain and the engineer, Ralph and
about dozen men armed with long poles,
mounted the deck. The word was given,
the blocks were Knocked away, and
down she slid swiftly into the water
amid the cheers of the people. She set
tied down in the water with a slight list
to one side, and the rural population
gave little cry of alarm.
"The cargo will ballast her." said
Ralph. Get out your poles, men, and
push her along the shore till we come to
the steamer"
The Jane Besant was quickly brought
round, and went up stream. followed by
an enthusiastic multitude on the shore.
Shortly after, the barge was secured
alongside the wreck, and the men began
to put the cargo on board. She did not
leak a drop, and appeared to be us stiff
and strong as the best ribbed boat afoat.
She was very buoyant, and readily
minded the rude rudder that had been
hung at the stern.
Il shall be glad to consider your pro-
posal, sir, tomorrow"
"Come in my cabin-I guess it isn't
wholly wrecked. Come, Bates, want
you too"
The young man followed the captain
and his engineer into the cabin and sat
down, while the captain ordered some
wine and lunch. When the lunch came,
the captain began to be expansive.
"She only wants a little more sheer,
and deck and house and engines.
She'll not be n fast boat, but she'll go in
shallower water than anything on the
river. She'll be running regular trips
when the big boats are laid up for low
water. Tell sou what I'll do, young
man, III put engines in her, and make
| her q stern wheeler. Mebbe you can
raise enough to put a house on her. III
20 halves with you in the business.
| We can haul her ashore and sheathe her
| bottom to make it smooth. and make n
| good thing of it. What d. you say? Is
| it a bargain?"
Then it would be bargain-if it
wasn't Sunday. All right. Well go
ashore this evening and hear the parsOn." "
Two months later the purser of the
new freight and passenger boat Jane Be
SAINT opened he books of the boat for
business. There was a line passengers,
headed by one of the boats servants, al
ready waiting at the ticket window.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ralph Keystone-oh,
yes-all right-free passes. Give them
the bridal-room, John; here's the key
| Next Xt!'-Hd1per'S Bdzar.