Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-02-06

Jones, however, was more prompt In hi
movements. He had got wind of thu
proposed tea party, although himself and
sister, tor obvious reasons, had not beer
invited, and he resolved not to risk the
arrival of Miss Brown, and her visit t.
Mr.. Robinson's before he should see her
She would dismiss her school at noon
and come the distance of q mile and 8
half round the pond, home. His mind
was at once made up. He would GO
round and meet her at the school house
and accompany her on her walk home
There, in that winding road around those
delightful waters, with the tall and shady
trees overhead, and the wild grapevines
twining around their trunks, and climb
ing to the branches, while the wild birds
we've singing through the woods and the
wild ducks playing in the coves along
the shore, surely there, if anywhere IN
the world, could man bring his mind to
the point of speaking of love.
Accordingly, little before noon,
Stephen washed and brushed himself up,
and put ON his Sunday clothes, and start.
ed on his expedition. In order to avoid
observation, he took back route across
the fields, intending to come into the
Dad by the pond, a little out from the
village. As i'll luck would have it.,
Charles Robinson had been out in the
same direction, and was returning with
an armtul of green boughs and wild
flowers to ornament the parlor for tho
evening. He saw Stephen and noticed
bis dress, and the direction he was going
and he at once smoked the whole busl.
ness. His first impulse was to rush upon
him and collar him, and demand that he
should return back. But then he recol-
lected that in the last scratch he had
with Stephen, two or three years be-
fore, he had little the worst of it, and
he instinctively stood still, while Stephen
passed on without seeing him. It fash
ed upon his mild at once that the ques-
ton must now be reduced to game of
speed. If he could by any means gain
the schoolhouse first, and engage Miss
Lucy to walk home with him. he should
consider himself safe. But il Stephen
should reach the schoolhouse first, he
should feel good deal Of uneasiness for
the consequences. Stephen was walking
very leisurely, and unconscious that he
was in danger of a competitor on the
course, and it was important that his s,,s-
picions should not be awakened. Charles
therefore remained perfectly quiet till
Stephen had got little out Of hearing,
and then he threw down his bushes and
flowers, and ran to the wharf below the
store with his utmost speed He was
ready at a moments warning to start on
an expedition Of this kind, for Sunday
clothes were an every day affair
with him. There was a ight canoe
belonging to his father lying at the
wharf, and couple of stout boys were
there fishing. Charles hailed them, and
toln them if they would row him across
the pond as quick as they possibly could,
he would give them quarter of dollar
apiece. This, in their view, was a
splendid offer for their services, and they
jumped on board with alacritY and man
ned the oars. The distance by water was
a little less than by land, and although
Stephen had considerably the start of him,
he believed be should be able to reach
the schoolhouse first, especially if
Stephen should not see him ana quicken
his pace. In one minute after he arrived
al the wharf the boat was under full way.
The boys laid down to the oars with
right good will, and Charles put on all
his strength upon the paddle. They
were shooting over the water twice as
fast as man could walk, and Charles
already felt sure of the victory. But
when they had gone about half a mile
the! came in the range Of little opening
in the trees on the shore, where the road
was exposed to view, and there, at that
critical moment, was Stephen pursuing
his easy walk. Charles heart was in his
mouth. Still it was possible Stephen
might not see him, for he had not yet
looked around. Lest the sound of the
oars might attract his attention, Charles
had instantly, on coming in sight, ordered
the boys to stop rowing, and he grasped
his paddle with almost bresthless anxiety,
and waited FIJI Stephen again to disap.
pear. Butjust as he was upon the point
of passing behind some trees, where the
boat would 5e out of his sight, Stephen
turned his head and looked around. He
stopped short, turned square around, and
stood for the space of minute looking
steadily at the boat. Then lifting his
hand, he shook his fist tesolutely at
Charles, as much as to say, understand
you, and started on QUICK run:
~"Now, boys" said Charles, buckle to
your oarb for your lives, and if you can
get to the shore so can reach thu school
heuse before Stephen does, I'll give you
half dollar apiece
| This of course added new life to the
boys, and increased speed to the boat
Their little canoe few over the watet al.
most like a bird, leaving long ripple on
the waves behind her. Charles had
still had strong hopes of winning the
race and gaining his point. He several
times caught glimpses of Stephen through
the trees, and as we'll as he could Judge
the boat bad little the best of it. But
when they came out into the last open.
ing, where for 8 littls way they had
fait view Of each other, the case seemed
doubtful.
''Now," said he, 1--WE have not min
ute to spare. If we gain the point will
give you dollar apiece"
! The boys stsains ed every nerve, and
Charles paddle made the water fly like the
tail of a wounded shark. When within
half-a.dozen rods of the shore, Charles
urged them again to spring with all thei,
mi ht, and one of the boys making des
perate plunge upon his oar snapped it in
tive; The first pull OF the other oar head
ed the boat from land. Charles saw a
once that the delay must be fatal if he de
pended on the boat to carry hin, ashore
H. sprang from the boat, and rushed
for the shore as fast as he was able to pres
through the water. He flew up the banl
and along the road, till he reached tn
schoolhouse. Several children were a
play round tae door. who, having seer
Charles approach with such haste, stoot
with mouths and eyes wide open, looking
at him.
"Where's the sehoolma'nm?" sait
Charles hastily, to one Of the largest
boys.
Why's" said the boy, opening his eye
still wider, "is any of the folks dead?"
'You little rascal, I say, where's th,
schoolma'am2"
''She jest went down that road" sale
the boy, 'two or three minutes ago."
"Was che alone2" said Charles.