The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-11
Right you are, Beecher, III be

I
The next morning after breakfast
I found Carrie in the drawing room
at the piano, and as she was alone, ]
seized upon the opportunity Of inn
proving the occasion. / got her to
sing, then / sang, q rather fancied
nv own voice in those days. and
finally We tried duets together. She
was very nice and kind, and the
minutes passed sorapidly that when
she at length asked me whether it
was not time for her to 60 and pre-
pare for the drive, ] was astonished
to find it was Just 1890. l knew /
should be late for my appointment
with Beecher. and so ran as hard as
| could all the way and arrived at
the baths about ten minutes after
time and learnt that lie had already
started.
thought | could easily catch him
before he reached NJ, SO undressed
quickly and plunged in at once.
When | had proceeded few yards
I remembered about my clothes and
shouted back to the custodian of the
baths telling him to let the man
have them with those of Mr.. Beech
er.
He made some reply which | did
not catch and away | went doing
nv best to overtake my rival. 1t was
n glorious swim and | enjoyed it.
The current was so strong that but
little exertion was required. All you
had to do was to keep your head
above water and the river did the
rest. :.
After going some two miles l
turned a corner, and could just make
out Beecher long way ahead OF
me.
| put on a spirit, but | didn't gain
on him as | expected. He was a
better swimmer than | had given
him credit for being, and arrived at
the destination good five minutes
before me.
When | did arrive | found him
on the bank dressing.
Why, McGrath, is that you" ne
shouted. 1 thought you were not
coming: | waited few minutes for
YOU and then set off alone
4 was rather late, | replied, 1
didn't quite know how. the time was
going.
"Oh. well, it doesn't matter, you
have arrived to the minute, for there
are the carriages, so get out and
dress at once.
1 scrambled up the bank and
dried myself.
'Where has the fellow put my
clothes p :,
I'm sure can't say he replied,
who did you send them by?'
'Bv your man.
No. I'm sure you didn't. He
started with mine before | COM
menced my swim. / saw him safe
on the road, for fear of any mis-
take.
Then mine haven't come. Good
gracious, what in the world am l to
do?'
MY fellow, | am awfully sorry,
but | had no idea you would come
when YOU didn't show up at the
right time. or | should have made
him wait for you.
'Confound it, this is nuisance. L
can't appear as | am, or, at best,
clad only in a couple OF wet towels,
can ~
no. that you can't said he laugh
ing, as thought, in a very unteellng
way.
And what Is more, you can't stay
where you are, for here are some OF
the ladies coming on the bank into
the water with Won quick
There was nothing else for 1t, so
/ in | went up to my neck.
Now, stay quietly while | go and
explain matters, and see what can
ne done for you,' he shouted, as he
disappeared over the bank.
Nv temper was none of the best,
and nv thoughts We're none OF the
most pleasant as stood soaking IN
the Rhine.
1 He appeared to have been away
an hour, when he at length returned
accompanied ny q German officer.
You can come out now, he shout
ed. i have explained matters, and
4 Lieut. Linden here is kind enough
to say that he will lend you his mil
itary overcoat-itis is a good long one
so YOU will be all right. Out you
come
Out | did come most promptly,
with profuse thanks to Mr.. Linden
for his most acceptable loan. He was
tall man and the garment reached
nearly to my heels.
! | know | cut sorry figure. and
though | received a considerable
amount of sympathy from the party
when | appeared among them. still
il was mixed with smiles and but
partially concealed laughter, which
was most CALLING to my feelings. II
was out OF the question that should
remain longer in this single gar
ment than was absolutely necessary
so | determined to at once return to
C. and claim my clothes. Fortunate
lv the man who brought those o.
Beecher's had not returned, and
was thus enabled TO obtain a iii
back. otherwise l should had to
walk, as the carriages had returned
at once, before my misfortune be-
came known.
/ The party all came down to the
road to see me start, and now, | look
back upon the accident, | can for,
give the laughter they had indulged
in, for certainly must have looked
very curious-no hat, no boots OF
stockings. only military overcoat
on blazing hot day in July. Just
as was starting Carrie said:
Mind you are back in time FOL
the dinner, you are entitled to a seal
by me, remember.
You NAV be sure l shall not be
moment longer than / can help,
/ replied. and away We drove. Now
my troubles are over I thought, but