Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-11-27

SgLbJCuluR .Oub uln Ohls W . WOAN
dreaming and lazing, when suddenly
some one stepped out from among the
trees, He was close to us-not dozen
feet away.
He was q tall man, rather over than
under six feet. He was dressed in a
dark brown suit of Oxford mixture; he
had stick in his hand, wore billy
cock hat, and his coat was buttOned
right up to the throat. He had light
whiskers, heavy dropping mustache,
and hair unusually long, iron-gray in
color. He might be a soldier retired
from his profession, or an artist out
paintingi he certainly looked a gentle
man,
We were passing on when he raised
his stick, and shouted out "Stop"
1t was a regular shout, as though we
were about half mile from him. We
stopped, although it was an unusual
method Of calling attention. r
:" Gentlemen," he said, still at the
top of Of his voice. 81 should be obliged
if you could give me seat. | have
long way to 60, and am tired"
We looked at him and at each other.
1t was a free-and-easy style of asking a
favor, but he seemed a gentleman, and
and elderly one, too.
| am afraid, sir" said ALI, that
we have hardly room She is only
built for three"
80, that doesn't matter" he said;
''you can put me anywhere, or I'll take
an oar for one of you"
Twas on the point of advising point
blank refusal, not approaching his off
hand manner, but ALT thought diff
ferently.
cali right" said he "we don't
mind, if you don't. Steer her in Jack. :"
/ steered her in. No soon were we
near the shore, than quite unexpectedly
he stepped almost on my toes, rocking
the boat from side to side.
"Hang i'll" / said; stake care or
you'll have us over"
"What if l doPn he returned. "Itll
only be q swim; and who minds swim
in weather like this?"
We stared at him; the GOODNESS, not
to say impertinence, Of the remark, was
amazing, Begging seat in our boat,
knowing it was full, and then telling us
he didn't care if he split us into the
riverl He seated himself by me, set
ting the boat see-sawing again, crush
ing me into corner; and without ask
ing with your leave, or by your leave,
took the steering lines from my hands
and slipped them over his shoulders.
"Excuse me, F" Isaid, making snatch
at them; " but if you'll allow me-"
i" Not at ALL" he said, "Ialways like
something to do, and l expect you've
had enough Of it.
His GOODNESS was amusing; he was
l know l for one re-
GREETED we were such mules as to have
had anything to do with him. We waited
in silence a moment or two.
"Come," he said, "When are you
going to startP"
Perhaps" said ALI, a bit nettled,
" "as you're in our boat self-invited
guest, you'll let us choose our own
time"
The stranger said nothing; he sat
stolid and silent. Tom and ALT set off
rowing; the stranger steered right
across the stream.
"Where are you goingP" said ALI.
' Keep us in"
II am going into the shade; the SUMS
too strong"
He had the lines; we could hardly
insist on his keeping one side if he pre-
ferred the other; he took us right to the
opposite bank, under the shadow of the
willow trees. For some minutes neither
Of us spoke. With him cramming me
on my seat and jamming his elbows into
my side, my 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.
ALI at once | 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 flash DR.. Rawle's words
crossed my mind; tall, strong, about
iron-gray hair; habit of
his teeth and Winking his left
eye. Gracious powers! was it possible
we had q lunatic with us unawaresP /
know the possibility, nay, the prObabil-
ity of such a thing made me feel more
than queer. If there is anything in the
world l instinctively fear it is mad per-
sons. Iknow little of them, have never
been in their company. Possibly my
ignorance explains my dread; but the
idea Of sitting in the same boat and on
the same seat with man who
DR.. Rawle's warning, " "Don'tlet him
lose his temper, or murder will ensue,"
made me bound from my seat like Jack
The boat tipped right out
Of the water, but / didn't care. The
man was glaring at me with cruel eyes;
my muscles were strung, my fists
every moment l expected him
at my throat.
What the dickens are you UP TOP"
said ALI. " What's the matter with
youP"
Excitable temperament, hot-blood.
ed youth!'' said the stranger.
could have said something had l
but 1 preferred discretion; I
didn't like his eyes.
moo thing" l said. 81 think I'll
sit in the bow" didn't wait to learn