The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-01-12
RAFT AND DORY.


"It's no use," said Bert with de-
cision; stthis dory won't hold more than
seven, no matter how close we crowd. ~
The children looked at each other du-
biously. There were eight of them.
And the bay was all alive with flash
ing waves, and the wind blew straight
in. fresh and strong, across dancing
sapphires, and the sunlight lay full on
the tempting gray rock at Point Lyle, a
mile away. And the dory would only
hold seven!
"Somebody must stay behind" con-
tinued Bert, beginning to take off his
shoes and stockings, preparatory to
pushing off the Gam Mary" Ned,
Dick and Walter Immediately followed
his example. Or course they must 60
to manage the boat. Katie had taken
her place within it already, ard she sat
still, rocking to and fro as if she were
quite alone on the beach. Daisy said it
was too bad that the dory is small, and
Anna remarked to Bert, 81 suppose l
had better take the stern seat and
steer; hadn't IP" And everybody look
ed at Madge.
"But | don't think it's fair,'' said
that small parsonage, in answer to this
silent suggestion. 81 always have to
stay at home, if anybody does, and |
want to 90 over to the Point awfully. 1t
isn't fair. Some one else ought to stay
this time.''
swell, can't, anyhow. l shall have
to steer" said Anna, promptly taking
her place in the stern.
"Don't be selfish, Madgie. cpl give
you one of my fishing lines if you won't
FUSS" said Dick.
"Daisy or Katie might stay" said
Madge wistfully. 81 haven't been over
to the Point but twice all summer, and
you're always going"
SHOW, see here, Madgie," said Wal
ter, coming forward with trousers rolled
up above his knees, ''you can't do any
thing in the boat, you know, and every
body else can. Even Daisy can bail
out the water, and Katie is going to tell
us a fairy story on the way over. Be-
sides, we can't always be taking you
around with us everywhere. You can't
go; that is all there is about it. Well
bring you back lots of shells and things,
so be good aid don't bother me.'
Then Madgie sat down on the sand
and began to cry. There was no gain
saying her elder brothers decision, but
the disappointment was too great to be
borne with calmness. She buried her
face in her white apron and would not
look up as the boat moved off. "Seems
to me girl nine years old is too big to
cry over boat ride" said Bert severely
as he jumped in last. And then the
"Ann Mary" danced away toward the
Point, and the company within began
to talk very fast about all Mariner of
subjects, and to look about them in
every direction but the one they had
just left. Only Ned sat very still with
his eyes fixed on that solitary little
figure on the yellow sand, with the long
brown hair falling on its shoulders and
its head buried in its lap. Ned thought
that if he had little sister like that he
would not treat her as Walter and Ka-
tie did theirs. He was quite angry with
Katie for coming, and reflected that all
the grown people in the house were
gone for drive, and that there were
only one or two nurses and babies left
- be company for little Madge. Of
course it was no business of his. He
wasn't responsible for other peoples
sisters, and yet it would be lonely for
the poor little thing. For his part he
didn't see why some one hadn't stayed
behind with her. Girls were an awfully
selfish set. Why, it would spoil his
pleasure for the whole afternoon to
think of how she had cried when Wal
ter said she couldn't 90.
He turned the subject over and over
~, 10 II l. 81.
story and at last as they neared long
spur of rock that stretched out from the
shore, almost half way to the Point, he
suddenly broke out.
"See here, Bert, I've got to go back.
There's something want to see to on
shore. Let me off here, will you, and L |
will walk back along the beach"
There was a general cutlery of sur
prise. Ned was favorite with every |
one and no party was complete with
out him.
"Why, what on earth-''cried Bert,
resting on his oar in amazement. |
"What's got into you, Ned Hartp"
"No NATTER said Ned shortly. I'm
not going, that's ALL"
"Why, l think it is too bad," said |
Daisy. "What are you going to do,
I'dlike to knowp"
alt dosn't concern you," answered
Ned, still more impatiently. I've got
something to see to, l say. Here,
Dick, back water, can't you, and bring
the dory round, SO [ can get out.
Katie, you cyme and take my oar. No,
l sha'nt go, so you needn't tease. Just
let me off, and let me alone"
Ned was decidedly cross as he stepped
on the first rocks. He knew perfectly
well that he was not the one to give up
bis fun for the sake of a silly little cry
baby of nine years old, but what was the
use of goingon if all the pleasures was
spoiled alreadyp He went springing on