The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-10-11
IN THE TOLLS.

1t was n Sun-steeped, breeZe-freSh-
ened water-cooled Charlevoix in July
The blue lake stretched westward with
dim purple cloud to define 1.-THE
Beavers; but to the north it looked
illimitable; its brim touched the sky.
Out and in through the channel piled
little steamers, gay with flags; row.
boats crawled hither and thither, like
crabs with shining legs: along the beach,
day in and day out, bent men, women
and children-demented agate hunters.
Not that one in thousand found an
agate, but even the most geologically
ignorant could hope. And these were
all the signs of life there were.
"Tis stupid beyond belief, Crag-
MORE" said Ellington.
Cragmore tossed his head backward
with a half snort of amusement.
''Where isn't it stupid to you, Eding-
ton? Upon my word, you're the worst
bored man | ever knew"
You think I affect ennui? 1t is you
who affect" he retorted. ''You affect
enjoyment, entertainment, delight"
Il afiect2 | affect nothing" said
Cragmore, good.
"You find the lovely everywhere.
You're one Of those rhapsodical fellows
that like sunsets. | believe You could
find q champagne bead in hotel coffee"
Cragmore laughed aloud.
eyes, we're opposite types, no
doubt" he said. 'You wear green and
yellow glasses, and they color the whole
world. Mine are of good, clear crystal,
and see the broad, clear daylight just
as it is-thanl, Heaven"
"And this said Ellington, waving
his hand with supercilious irony around
the crescent of beach where they were
walking, sis delightful, charming, gay"
"'Charming and delightful yes;
'gay'-not very. But can't you smell
the pines, Ellington? Can't You hear
this swash on the stones? Can't you fill
your smoke-degenerated lungs with this
tonic north wind?"
Il can. But what difference does
that make? It's dulI-it's Internally
stupid, and ought to have known
better than to start out on a wild-goose
chase after pleasure with you. 1t
might have been Newport or Bar
Harbor." Then with sigh: "But [
suppose this was my fate. | agreed to
be guided by you, and here l am"
'I'll convert you yet, Ellington. Let
me once get you up the Jordan, where
you can try your hand at landing a
two-pound trout, and We'll see"
:. Nothing less than ten pounds would
give me the least satisfaction"
= "Ten, Ellington! You're preposter-
Gus! You're q cut and dried cynic
You are"
b There a FACET Interrupted Eding-
ton, in half-whisper, touching his
friends arm to arrest his attention.
8Cragmore stopped short in his speech
TO look.
PA young girl in Z most hideous beach
hat was struggling with anine-year-old
.youngster to prevent his getting into
Doat, which the owner had left suppose
bly, safe on the beach, while he hunted
up and down for agates. The waves
had loosened the boat and il was bump
ing about in manner quite attractive
to the ungovernable boy.
80, dearic, don't! you promised not
to give sister any trouble. You must
not 90 out upon the water. 1t is too
rough"
But I'm going" roared the lad
''No, no." pleaded the girl, physic-
ally not strong enough to restrain him,
You would be drowned, johnny.
Please. Be good now-pray do.
But he broke away from her willfully,
and began clambering into the boat,
although the surf wet him to the knees.
''You distress me so, Johnny, cried
the young lady, clinging to the collar
of his jacket, out of which he tried to
wriggle himself like muscular eel.
Cragmore stepped forward without
demur, and taking hold of the bow of
the boat kept it from being pushed off
"This young man is inclined to 90 to
sea- he said Don't be troubled. He
won't down. Such youngsters never
do''-this with rueful accent that con
veyed ''more's the pity"
The lad felt comradeship in the tone.
Notwithstanding its implied undervalu-
alton Of himself, and looked up with
bright smile.
Suppose you take me out. u he said.
The young lady blushed "Why,
Johnny" she exclaimed deprecatingly,
chow can you"
Cragmore laughed. He liked the
lads direetness, turbulent and disa-
greeable as he evidently was. And the
one quick glance he had given the sis
ter had made him aware that her face
was quite worthy even Edington's fas-
tidious regard.
Very well, said Cragmore, 'jump
in and take an oar"
Then, turning to the sister, he lifted |
his hat, and, bowling low, said; ale
wants turn. He'll be quite safe with |
me-" and to his friend: "Wait here,
Ellington, won't be gone long" and,
stepping rather ciumsily into the boat,
for he was no STRIPPING, he pushed of,
he and the lad rowing together.
In watching the half-confused, half |