Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-05-29

farm because she's got trife of her
ownP Well, them boys-for all they're
lazier'n toad in the sun-they kept
her in wood last winter, an they helped
her fix her garden this spring. An she
coaxed 'em to learn to read. They
wouldn't 60 to school, but she's learned
'em somehow, an when said to-day:
You can't read, an you amt fit for no
place, Pierre says: Yes we can, for
we learned last winter Well, there
amt no use in sayin' more about.it. I
must be goin' on.''
"Do you mean, Captain, if anybody
were willing to sign for these boys you'd
take them?h Ruth said.
"It's ten to one but that might, just
as an experiment" the Captain an
swered. 'sThe signin's form, any
how, just to show they've got some
body to back 'em. If 1 don't they'll
most likely take to the bad altogether,
and II be taxed along with the rest O.
the town to keep 'em in jail. I've as
good mind as ever was, but you see,
faint RATIONAL
s'Then we will be irrational togeth-
| err Ruth said, smiling. 81 wanted
chance for them, and here it is. m
sign, and we will give them fair trial.
/ = AA PhOPNAo eS-iN eo OA )
won t it do?"
"You don't mean it, said the Cap
tain. "Folks'l say we're crazy.
reckon we are. It's bad blood
| '' 1t will be worse if we let it run in
the same old channels Ruth said
"Try them awhile, and if it fails, we
will let it 60 as something beyond u.s."
s'I can't say 1 will, all in minute
this way said the Captain. "Tve got
to think it over more. 'Tain't prudent.
What'll your aunt say?''
''She will say she is glad. She has
always declared those boys could be
made something of if there was anyone
to do just the right thing. Come in and
talk it over with her."
The Captain followed, shaking his
head. Such speed was not at all in his
usual course of action, but an hour
later he came out, looking as if his mind
were made up, and went down the
hill and toward the river. The boys
Were on the river fishing, their mother
said, tall woman, with the brilliant
dark eyes they had inherited, and
whose house looked more comfortable
than he had expected. They rowed
hastily and wonderingly to shore as they
heard his call.
LII gum W SiNC you u ~, uG
said. "Be at the bay Monday morn
ing"
| The boys turned pale, then red, and
looked at him in speechless surprise as
to what had wrought the change.
''Miss Dysart's the one you've to
thank for it, the Captain went on
''She signs for you. But, mind you, if
1 see head or tail of your tricks, over
board you 60, and no quarter. Do you
understand?'
Eyes, SIR" Antoine answered with a
sort of gasp. and looking after the
Captain who hurried away. Much graf
itude would have embarrassed him, and
where action would speak louder than
words.
And, in spite of town wonderment
and the general declaration that the
Captain must have lost his senses, ac-
tions were too positively what Ruth had
hoped, to give any ground for doubt
that chance had been what they need
ed. In spite of grandfather and father,
there was something in the two not en-
tirely killed by lawless life. The rig
id discipline of the boat seemed rather
to please than disgust them. The bright
buttons of the regulation dress were an
approach to the uniform every boy
loves, and the French mother had given
them a certain ease and adaptab;lity
that made them favorites with crew and
officers alike. Where they will end is
no longer an open question, and Captain
Rushmore has ceased to shake his head
as he thinks over the chance he gave
'' those Dunning boys .''-Heleas c.
| Tooaos,boU