Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-16

VI bt inlHSlllB WHth Nho Iltllt 'lpth IN
laid.
YES" continued |, turning To Jack
Beccher. "Tll swim down with you
tomorrow.
Thanks" replied he. THAT will
bo very jolly, 1t would be rather
solitary work by ones self. Weought
TO start about half-past ten, certainly
not later for, even with the stream
in our favor, we shall not be able to
go as fast rs the carriages. viii that
suit your
"Oh, yes; that will do very well in
deed"
"All right; then | will make ar
rangcmcnts tonight for a man To take
our clothes on in cart, and | shall
expect to sec you at the baths at 1880
sharp"
Right you are. Beccher, will be
there"
The conversation after this turned
upon general topics, and in short
time our party broke up and we re-
tired for the night to our respective
hotels.
The next morning after breakfast |
found Carrie in the wing-room at
the piano, and rs she was alone |
seized upon the opportunity Of improy-
ing the occasion. got her to sing;
then | sang i rather fancied my own
voice in those days., and finally we
tried some duets together. She was
very nice and kind. and the minutes
passed so rapidly that when she at
length asked me whether it was not
time for her to 60 and prepare for her
drive | was astunishcd to find that it
was Just 1890. | knew | should be
late for my appointment with Beecher,
and so ran AZ hard as | could all the
way, and arrived at the baths about ten
minutes after time, and learnt that he
had already started. thought could
easily catch him up before he reached
NJ, so undressed quickly and plunged
in at once. When | had proceeded a
few yards | remembered about my
clothes, and shouted back TO the Gus
todian Of the baths, telling him 10 let
the man have them with those Of Mr.
Bcccher's. He made some reply which
| did not catch, and away | went.
doing my best TO oyertake my rival
II was a glorious swim. and thor
oughly enjoyed il. The current was
so strong that but little Cxertion was
required. An you had to do was TO
keep your head above water and the
river did the rest. After going some
two miles / turned a corner. and could
just make out Beechcr long way
ahead Of me. put on . spurt but
did not gain on him as / expected. lie
was better swimmer than | had
given him credit for being. aud arrived
at the destination a good five minutes
before me. When did arrive | found
him seated on the bank dressing.
why, McGrath. is that you 2" he
shouted. Il thought you were not
coming. / waited few minutes for
you and then set off alone"
Il was rather late; I didn't quite
know how time was going"
"Oh, well, il doesn't matter. You
have arrived to the minute; for here
are the carriages, SO get out and dress
at once"
scrambled up the bank and dried
myself.
Where has the fellow put my
clothes; don't see them :"
I'm sure can't say. Who did you
send them byY"
"By my man."
"No, I'm sure you didn't; he started
with mine before commenced my
swim. | saw him safely on the road
for fear Of any mistake"
Then mine haven't come. Good
gracious, what am to do2"
my dear fellow. I'm awfully sorry;
but had no idea You would come
when you didn't show up at the right
time or | would have made him wait
for you"
"Confound il this Is n nuisance.
| can't appear as am. or at best clad
only in couple Of wet towels, can p
mo, that you can't. And what Is
more you can't stay where YOU are, for
here are some Of the ladies coming on
the bank; get into the water quick"