Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-10-04
according to Instructions until ~

Nr. Thornton. being old and obese
punted slowly and with difficulty. and
Is he clock struck six he had not JET
rot out Of shallow water. So intent
was Charlie. however. il looking 81
him, that he did not perceive the dark
outline Of 4 steam launch coming d..
rectIy down upon the punt. and he was
only made aware Of the fact by seeing
the old gentleman wave one arm vigor-
ously and By hearing him shout Justify
at the same time that ne endeavored
to get his unwieldly punt back out Of
the way. But it was too late. the bow
Of the launch went gently against the
punt, though with sufficient force to
/ tilt it up, with which movement the
poor old stockbroker was sent founder
ing into the water, yelling madly as be
went.
Quick as thought Charlie dashed in.
The water was fortunately barely up
to his waist, so he seized Mr.. Thornton
under the arms. and after much splash
ing and shouting and fuss. got him
first into the punt and then onto the
steam-launch.
Directly Mr.. Thornton felt himself
on his feet he burst into q violent
passion, which was in no way appeased
by the approach of Jack Raggles,
whom he did not know. with the most
admirable expression of contrition in
his face, and the words. 'I'm sure I'm
awfuny sorry, sir, on his lips.
"Sorry, sirr' reared the old gentle
man. $50 you ought to be, sirl corr
slider it positively iniquitous and abom-
Unable that o man can't go out for a
days fishing without being run into by
lot of coclxneys who have no more
idea Of handling steam launch than
they have of handling balloonl And
l shall take the very earliest opportu-
nifty, sir, of laying the matter before
he authorities. in order that such un-
warrantable interference with the
liberty Of the subject may be imme-
diately put stop to. It's abominable,
sir, abominablep'
Can put you ashore anywheref'
asked Jack, deferentially.
Eyes, sir, you can. as soon as posi-
bic, and before / catch my death Of
cold" replied the old gentleman.
"You see those steps ahead, sir? ?"
Il do" replied Jack.
well, then. if you can see those
steps, how the deuce was it that you
couldn't see me?" said Mr.. Thornton.
"But as you can see them. steer to
them--that is, If you know how to.
They belong to me, sir, to Thomas
Thornton, Esq"
| As yet, the irritated stoclbroker had
given no thought to his rescuer, but as
they were floating gently down the
stream toward the steps, he turned aud
said:
"And to whom am indebted for MY
rescue from watery gravel"
Charlie stepped quietly forward and
bowed. The old gentleman started
back, and exclaimed:
"Good gracious! Mr.. Ringwood
Sir, allow me to shake your hand most
heartily. You have performed al
action tonight which shall not pass
without recognition. You are noble
fellow, sir-a noble fellow.
i Il did nothing, Mr.. Thornton, but
what any other man would have done
under similar circumstances, said
Charlie. feeling himself to be dread.
ful hypocrite in assuming the depreca
tory air of hero; "but now that We
are here together I should like to ex
press my extreme regret that I should
have given you offence the other night
By expressing my opinion about steam
launches little more candidIy thar
lperhaps should have done. but. be
Iieve me-"
MF. Thornton interrupted him
believe me, sir. you did not SAY
enough. I am . complete convert 4