Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-17
FISHERMAN'S LUCK.

~ A~> \AAs
1t was in the vacation following John S
freshman year that the incident occur
red. John was my class-mate, as hon
est and good-hearted boy as ever |
knew. He was by no means boyish-
looking in countenance, and even the
most sanguine would hardly have
thought him capable of becoming the
victim of romance. John was little
overworked The long pull of the year
had wearied him He and others of the
class, hoping to recruit for the coming
year, went into camp near popular re-
sort of the seashore.
Camp life at first was decided novel
ty, but it soon grew tiresome The
boys sickened of every day routine and
sought other means of enjoyment.
John, it seems, was especially fond of
yachting and succeeded in obtaining
small sailboat, capable of holding only
two persons, but just the thing to attract
the adventurous mind.
Every nice breezy day now saw John,
for the most part alone, but occasionally
with one of his classmates, Swimming
the white waves in his little boat. His
fayorite course was back and forth before
the hotel beach. His craft. with the
Greek-letter pennant, which he always
carried at the masthead, soon became
familiar sight to the guests and bathers,
and the young skipper made many
friends among the people along shore.
He must have been quite jaunty and
attractive in appearance, dressed as he
was In yachtman' s garb, for one day as
the boat gEded quietly up the long
wooden pier he was accosted by young
lady. Her age was about seventeen,
and she was charming, though not so
charming as her friends hoped she
would be in the future. Dropping her
rod, for she was fishing, and running to
the piers end, she exclaimed:
sob, what pretty boat! Is it safe
What is its name? May I ride ? Oh,
do let me ride in the boat!''
And then more questions about
the sail and the curious flag, and why so
ped over, until John was quite she cked
at her rudeness, and blushed like red
rose.
But the yacht must be honored in car
rying the fair passenger since she de-
manded it, and though John by no
means cared to take the risk of such a
precious cargo, yet he was entirely too
generous and too bashful to refuse, and
with some unexpected misgivings he
helped the maiden to seat. Then they
went gaily off before the breeze. The
wind was fresh and right off the shore.
making the sea smooth and sail delight
full
Can you go around the island ?"
asked his passenger.
Yes," answered John with his usual
brevity. but with very pleased and re-
signed expression of countenance. He
was beginning to feel himself favored,
after all. His young lady was still very
talkative.
'sOh, how many steamers! What If
we should have a collision! Wouldn t
it be excitingi Do you think there is
any danger %
''Not for the people on the steamers, %
said John, laughing. 'fAre you afraid
he asked.
Ono, indeed, > replied the girl, proud
~. "Show me how you will sail
pull frst?''
OOnA IJ1uluoO W LIS UIlo
working of the boat, and told her why
it was necessary to tack and how the
maneuver was accomplished. After a
good many questions and much expla-
nation, to which she listened intently,
John was surprised to hear her confident
~ affirm that she understood it all now
and should have sail-boat Just like his
when she got home. But she must sail
with him every day, she said, so as to
learn the art thoroughly.
"But the wind doesn't blow every
day." interposed John.
:9Ohl well, you will be up every day
when it does blow, won't you ?"
eyes," replied John, little sheepish-
". elf it doesn't blow too hard" he
added, rather late.
"And I'll be out on the pier. I'll
help you manage the boat / can hold
this rope and so learn how" and such a
pleading, irresistible glance.
Oh, joint Your blush betrayed
you. It was love at sight. Our class
mate was being captivated. There was
something beneath the rude and heed
less manner of the young girl which
charmed him. The longer he saw her
the more did she seem attractive; ano
she appeared capable of talking sense as
well as nonsense. / verify believe he
made the homeward tacks longer than
they need be, and was sorry when they
again found themselves alongside the
pier
. A delightful ride, Mr.. John. Thanh
you, shall patronize you again. she
said, laughing. 6 But here is father.
shall have to give an account of NV
self, suppose.
A middle-aged, easy-looking man APP
preached.