Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-11-02
A DESERT ISLE.

It was 10 o'clock of July morning,
and thu largest fraction of humanity had
been some hours earning itsdaily bread
The idlers had Just risen from the break
fast table. To this latter class belonged
the young man who leaned IaziIy over
the piazza railing, and looked absentty
out on Lake Winnipaka. Beside him III
huge chair. sat little woman, rocking
to ana fro, with ali untiring movement,
and with def fingers plying in and out
among bright silk and crewels. She was
idle. too, in her wonan's laborious way
but there was lack Of repose in her in
dolence that made it restful to turn again
to her brother, who stood in statuesQue
inaction, looking into the still water be-
low.
"What are you going to do to-day"
the little woman asked.
"Nothing."
''There's great deal going on, and
very nice sort Of people, too. Do you
see that pretty girl down there at the
landing?"
me one Win req!
eyes; don't you think she's pretty?"
Il hadn't thought of it."
"We'l, she is--rem rkably. Wouldn't
you like to meet her? ! coulL easily
manage it."
TIN not particular Is she worth
whiIe?"
"Ben, you exasperate me. Do you
take an interest in anythiny?"
II don't do anything else in Wall
street. Pm off duty now. I.believe in
resting in philosophical sort of way''
well, I suppose you are tired, poor
fellow! l know how yon feel. l am
tired myself ,aost Of the time"
young man. ell tell you how it is; I
this dancing attention on halfa dozen
girls whom you never see again"
ooh, we'll, don't then"
Ben Adams at 81 had performed his
| social duties with great zest. Four
wears later he was still heart whole, and
beginning to take purely fraternal in
terest in blushing debetantes. He
danced less and went to the opera
alone or with his friend Rutland con-
tirned bachelor Of %. With entire res
ignation young Adams acted as usher at
many fashionable weddings, and with
out sigh saw Catherine, Kate and Kit
ty.led down the aisle by other men.
And 50 he approached his thirties and
within year Of them leaned idlv over
the piazza railing at Lake Winni paka,
and declared to his sister that "Robin-
son Crusoe" was the lu:kiest fellow Of
his acquaintance. Give me desert isle
for sumner sol burn. What would re-
fresh man like goinv back to savagerv!
II don't think it would ne enou gh of
a change to benefit some | know"
laughed her sister. "Well. Ben, all
can say is, you are very different from
what you used to be-"
In the meanwhile tie boat below,
pushed off and Adams followed it with
his eyes, chiefly because it would have
been more trouble to look another way.
The young lady in the stern was Miss
Josephine Vail, and the boy at the oars
was her l2-years ola brother. Josephine
was young lady OF views, supported by
thought an extremely pretty face. Her
enemies-but she had none--would
have said that while she despiscd conven-
tionalit;es no one WIS more annoyed
when obieed to disregard them; and
while she resented the protecting lini-
tations Of her sex, she was quite willing
to accept the attentions based on the
theory of their existence. Her father
said one day: "Nothing would take the
kinks out Of our Jos" phine like settling
down with good husband" The young
lady took it in high dudgeon, and went
away meekly to wonder if it were true.
On this particular July morning Jose
phine accepted her brother Toms service
as oarsuau, not because she vas not per-
fectl we'll able to row herself, but be-
cause it would keep Tom out Of mischief,
don rock the DO It. Tom. It does MT
frighten me, but [ can't read"
There was pause.
Grow near the bank, in the shade,
To1u."
Another long pause.
Say. sis," said Tom at length, "now
we're of, I'll tell you where we're 60
ing"
:Where you're going? Why, you're
going to take me GU. for row"
Not much. Pm going TWO miles
about to see some fellows who are camp
ing out"
"Apd going to take me? think you
are mistaken, sir. Give me these oars"
"No you don't. Leave 'em alone, and
sit STILL"
Tom turn this boat instantly, or III
"What'!! you do? Come, now; you sit
still, or Ill---'
tom, there's the Desert Isle just
ahead. Don't run into it. Be careful;
you're going straight forward to it,
1--WE might land there" he said,
blandIy,
''To be sure we might" said his sister,
glad Of anything to divert him from the
irst sch enc.
'sAu right, just as you say"
Tom turned his boat toward the great
rock which Ii ted It's broad back out of
the water. 1t was 6tly called the Desert
Isle, for its few square feet of surface
supported not so much as q blade of
grass or bit of moss.
Hop out" said Tom; GIVE got to see
TO the boat. guess you can climb up
to the top easy enough"
..Of course can" said Josephine; "as
if l needed your help, you little mon
key"
In moment she stood at the top OF
the rock and in another moment de-
risiye laugh came from below.
Go0d-by, 30; 1 hope you'll enjoy
yourself. I'll see YOU later.''
Plato says: "A boy is the most vic
ious Of wild beasts" Plato and Miss
Vail were of one opinion on that point
She looked about her and took in the
situation. She was monarch of about
twenty-five feet Of rough grey rocAs,
the sides Of which descended abruptly
to the water. Perched high on this
pedestal, her figure stood out against
the sky in bold relief A book and par