Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-21

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 n
platform was made one hundred and
eighty feet long and about twenty feet
wide I'm the center. More men began To
arrive, and every one who could drive
nails was promptly engaged, and within
an hour forty men were ut work on the
new boat.
With chalk ana IInc Ralph struck n
Line through the center of the platform,
and from this struck out n curved line
on each side, and then bade the men
saw Off the planks 10 the curved line.
This gave a long slender platform. ten
feet wide Mt the upper end, or stern,
twenty feet wide near the center and
running of 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-
gethcr.
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 nnil-holes in the stuff.
Make the holes a foot apart the whole
length of the strips
In a moment or two several pieces Of
af,f linz t.EuH,. .t,I L. -,
hand Ralph laid it along the edge Of the
raft and nailed IL down, then another.
till IA strip had been laid entirely round
the raft. As the strips were long and
flexible, they Were easily bent 20 fit the
curved lines Of the platform. At the
upper end the cross-picces 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
10 side
Now. men, you see my idea. Lay
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.holcs; lay on the
paint freely as you 90, and We shall
soon have steamboat without ribs.
The Cross-pieces will brace her. and
he'll carry "a big cargo, even if she isn't
very pretty
The men, unaccustomcd 10 marine
architecture, greeted this novel system
Of boat building with pleasant surprise.
and went to work with will More
men arrived. and the chatter Of twenty
hammers going on at once made the
woods ring. The sun went down, and
torches and bonfros were lighted 4 boy
was sent round for the mems suppors
that there might be no delay. The pas
spngcrs of the wrecked steamer were be-
slowed in sundry hrmhousrg. Farmer
Besnnt taking his share at two dollars
each. The news Of tho bodybuilding
spread quickly. and the people fockcd
down 90 the mili-yard tu sec the work.
and with them came all the passengers.
Among them came Farmer Bosant and
the captain of the Pioneer. Til" farmer
walked about the curious structure now
rapidly rising. and seeing the enormous
of srantling. he rrmon-
strated in no pleasant mood.
What right have you to use up your
customers stuff in this way2"
He's failed, said Keystone, without
topping his work.
How do you know lie may claim
IL. and you are spelling thousands OF
feet Of good stuff on n piece Of folly
Don't know about that. said big
fellow near by. Its about the smart
rst idec ! ever seen. Guess you belong
East. young man.
Massachusetts,. I've seen many a
boat built without ribs. though none
quit" SO big. She'll carry your cargo.
captain.
"Oh. she will when she's dyahol.
say, young fclicr. don't you wnnt TO sell
her Just as she stands?'
NO. She l. to be a steamboat
Farmer Bcsant felt confirmed in his
views of young Keystone. He was n
born fnul-Come from the very home Of
lunatics and Missionaries.
III give you three hundred dollars
for her just as she stands, and finish her
myself
THE Jane is not for sale"
Jane for sale? Don't Insult the girl,
Mr.. Ralph"
"A little more paint--lay il on thickr'
Then hc turned away 10 drive more
nails.
Farmer Bcsant went homo. intending
To toll Jane Of the insult she had received.
lie would never speak 90 Keystone again.
neither should Jane. Luckily Janc had
gone TO bed when he returned and knew
nothing of tho building of the boat.
Morning came and saw the sides Of the
boat we'll advanced. Some men left for
home and rest, and others took their
places. Even some OF the passengers
volunteered as painters and nail.dFiyCrs
There was mo- thought Of the Sabbath
The excitement Of tic wreck, the arrival
Of so many strangers and the boat build
ing brought everybody out of doors.
and the yard was hlied with people
watching the progress of the work.
Among them came one with shining
eyes and a rosy blush upon her face. The
name of her lover WIS on every tongue.
The marked approve. Of the captain Of
tho steamer. and tLc enthusiasm Of his
engineer. won the confidence Of the rural
population. Keystone had always been
considered an eccentric sort OF fellow,
but now. after all. there might he some
thing in him. These things she heard