The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-10-18

pulled vigorously at his cigar At length
he said:
Il say, Charlie isn't the old man 0
regular maniac for fshing?"
"Rlther," replied Charlie. He takes
a holiday about three times week tc
fish. He starts off after breakfast with q
big hamper and a jar of beer, and sits in
punt until evening. But what has
that to do with il?"
"Never you mind just now," answered
his friend; "but you find out from Miss
Thornton when her father next intends
to 60 out in his punt and where he's
likely to be, and then send me tele.
gram to Charges street, and I'll tell you
what to do
Charlie wrote to Doris the first thing
the next morning, and in the evening got
a reply to the effect that Mr. Thornton
was already making preparations for a
long days fishing upon the Wednesday
following. He telegraphed Immediately
to Jack Rnggles, and received the fol-
lowing reply:
"Keep close to him, but out of sight, at
about 6 o'clock in the evening.
Charlie knew that Mr., Thornton's hap
py hunting-ground was seclu ded back
water, famous for tench aud perch, about
couple of hundred yards above the
lawn of his house. Thither he repaired,
stealthily, like man bent on an evil
errand, about o'clock, and took up a
position upon rough riverside path,
well-nigh hidden from sight by bushes
and foliage, whence he could observe the
enthusiastic old fisherman without being
seen himself. The old man was sitting
like wax figure in his punt, with large
cigar in bis mouth and rod in band,
when Charlie arrived.
He then saw the old gentleman take
out his watch, look at it attentively, and
after few MON ents' slowly and reluc-
family begin to pack up his rod and line
and put his paraphernalia together.
At last Mr.. Thornton had arranged
his tackle and untied the punt poles and
was pushing off into mid.streNm. So
intent was Charlie in looking at him that
he did not perceive the dark outline of a
steam launch coming directly down upon
the punt, and ne was made aware of the
fact by seeing the old gentleman wave
one crm vigorously, and by hearing him
shout Justify at the same time that he
endeavored to get bis unwieldy punt
back ont 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 stock broker was sent fouu-
dering into the water, yelling madly as
be went,
Quick as thought, Charlie dashed in.
The water was fortunately barely up TO
bis waist; so he seized Mr.. Thornton un-
der the arms. and, after much splashing
and shouting and fuss, got him first into
the punt and then onto the steam
launch.
The first person Charlie saw on board
was Jack R4ggles, who, behind the res.
cued stock brokers back, was impressing
silence and nou-recognition by energetic
gestures.
Directly Mr.. Thornton felt himself
firm on his feet, he burst into n vlolen
passion. II consider it positively in
iqnitous that man can't 90 cut for Q
days fishing without being run into by
a lot of cockneys who have 40 more idea
of handling steam launch than they
have of handling a kalloonv'
As yet the irritated stock-broker hat
given no thought to his rescuer, but al
they were floating gently down The
stream toward the steps he turned ant
said;
"And to whom am indebted for my
rescue from.a watery grave?'
Charlie stepped quietly forward ant
bowed. The old gentleman started bach
and exclaimed:
"Good graciousl Mr.. Ringwood! Sir
allow me to shake your hand most heart
lily. You have performed an action to
night which shall not pass withou
recognition. You are noble fellow, sil
"A noble fellow"
II did nothing, Mr.. Thornton, bu
what any other man would have don't
under similar circumstances, sait
Charlie, feeling himself to he dreRdfu
hypocrite IN assuming the depiecator,
air of hero; "but now that we are her,
together I should like to express my ex
treme regret that should have given yor
offense the other night by expressing nay
opinion about steam launches a LITTLE
moro cRndidly than perhaps SHOULD
have done. but believe me-"
Mr. Thornton interrupted him,
"Believe me, sir, you did not say
enough. am a complete convert to th,
opinions you hold. Steam launches ar,
an Rbominatiou, SIR, aud mine is for sal,
from this very moment"
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