The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-02-28

gOlns-WnaT you ucch
Use gwinc home" said l. Use been to the
village of Brownsville. How's Maria and the
piccaninnies, Ben 7"
"All lovely my boy. Come on board n
minute and | show you my last gal, regular
heart smasher'
| went, and Maria was delighted to see nc,
and the little heart smasher" crOwcd Justify.
Mania gave me large orange, and | parted
with our old housekecper to gain the shore ere
the last plank was drawn IN. When | reached
the gang.way the mate erred to me;
Hurry up, yonngs,cr-shc is backing OUT
Ben sprang forward to see me safely ashore,
but the mate said grufily, Back, Ben, the
vounsster Is light OF foot" At this | sprang
along the plank rapidly; but the motion of the
boat and the swaylng of the plank was too
much for me, and away | went head first into
the river | arose IN moment, and had dis.
cardrd my chip hat, which was floating away,
would have been all right; but l made a
plunge for it and the light waves carried me
beyond my depth, could swim but little, and
was fast being carried beneath the boat, when
felt strong hand grasp me by the arm, and
IA CHEEKY voice cried:
Courage, Ned; YOU shant be drowned, my
hearty and IN ten minutes more Ben had me
ON shore. dripping wet, minus Il hat, and the
for the buss man He had missed me- and did
not recognize me IN the drowned rat that Ben
had fshcd out OF the water, and so drove oil
The mate swore at me as the boat glided in
and the plank was showed out for Ben. |
thanked my kind preserver and mounted the
draw Of knd.hearted darkey, "A friend OF Ben.
As the boat glidcd out, called out final
goodbye to Mr.. Ward, who gazed at me with
establishment, only half recognizing me. But
dear little Julia knew me in moment, and
waved her tiny handkerchief to me. felt for
nv hat but it was gone; then asked Negro
Bob for his hat, that might have something
to wave in rcturn. Now this proved to be a
great, bellcrowned stove-pipe hat, gift, Bob
said from General Jackson. ! waved 1t many
times around my head, and the passengers
shouted with laughter. then put 1t upon my
own head in my confusion, and It covered me
to the shoulders This increased the mlrth Of
the fun.lovng passengers and in the midst of
loud peals OF laughter we drove off The steam.
er gracefully as swan glided out into the
stream, and like a thing of life sped on her
way But as far as | could see her the tiny
handkerchief waved above the heads OF the
passengers from little Julia perched upon her
fathers shoulder At length q turn in the riv.
er hid the boat from our view, and Bob and |
reached the town.
Just as we reached the town | saw Billy
Robinson passing down the street looking to
the right and to the lcrt and in every direction
but behind him, tor me. shouted at the top
of my voice, and Bob shouted and waved his
hat, but all 10 no purpose. sprang from the
dray and ran with all my might, but my wet
clothes impcdcd my progress, and numerous
curves and small boys got in my way. arrlv.
ed at the iron bridge just In time to sec the
pcsky stage and four swing around the corner
nearing the river bridge, now made des'
pcrate effort, and reached the north or round
corner" as it is called, just as the stage disap
pcared within the covered bridge. Had been
fresh might yet have Overtaken it, but was
exhausted, discouraged and angry, was an
gry at the buss-drlvcr and resolved never again
to pay out my money in advance to buss-
driver | was mad at the mate for hurrying
me off the boat and at Billy Robinson for go
ing off without me. Yet as | sat upon the
curb.stone | reflected, 81 should not have left
the buss at the last moment and gone hunting
up little piccaninnies when the boat was just
ready to push out, and above ALL poor Billy
Robinson was more slnned against than sin
ming. ! should have kept my engagement;
Billy carried the mail, and he dare not delay
on my account. Wcll,n sand AT last, II got
To see Marla's baby; got last view Of kind
Mr. Ward and dear little Julia, ard in IA city
full of people said there is a roof and supper
for one extra lI'te boy and have my orange
vet; | will eat it, and then | shall feel better"
But Just as had 1t pealed, and had eaten one
slice, up came three boys of about my own age
and size.
"IIalloo, hubby where did you steal your
orange"
1t was the first time in my life that had
been called a thief and the blood in my veins
was at boiling heat. "lou he said |, 81 did
not steal IT,"
Where did you get it, then? You look like
some kind of rat
II don't think it Is any of your business"
said l.
just at tins moment one of the boys knock.
ed It from my hands, another grabbed it, and
the two ran of; but the third one | caught,
and soon we were rolling over and over in the
dust was the quicker and stronger of the
two, and soon was on top.
Enough - cried he AS | pounded him on
his filthy noddle
Il will not let you up until you promise to
90 with me through town to Workman's tav-
lc:Hw
"lll do It," said he.
And you must fight me through if any of
the boys get at me"
an do it," he sand.
Then let him up He picked up his hat,
and off we started hand in hand, he looking
badly, and worse, from my clothing being
previously wet but on we trudgcd We were
hailed II great many times; we ran from some,
thrashed others, and at last got safely up the
hill and to the tavern.
| looked up the buss.drver, and asked hun
why he had left me after being paid for my
round trip.
well, young man, it was your placeto keep
track OF me. | did not happen TO think of
You again till | met the down stage, and
told Robinson that you were some place on
the street ICu must learn to be punCtual
when you are travelling" and he smoked his
cigar, purchased with my money.
"Rni " snid my friend Lack Cnmn ..thr hoy