The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-06-06
A PERILOUS VOYAGE.

his land and dairy, lie owned IN con
nection with his son, tract OF wild
timber, some dozen OF miles up the
river. Beginning to turn It's advantage
to account in small way, the two
had erected a small shingle-mlll near
the shore, and kept a half dozen
men at work during the winter. The
result the first year was so satisfactory
that it was resolved to increase the
facilities of hemanufacture, and, that
it might bedone understandingly, they
determined to visit the mill for per
sonal examination.
They were to have one OF the farm
hands drive them up as far as they
could get with a team; and from that
point it was hardly more than mile
to the mill. More than half the way
the road was merely a cart-track
through the woods, making the jour
ney rather tedious one; but by start
ing very early in the morning they
calculated to make all the necessary
Investigations and get back early in
the afternoon.
This was the plan agreed upon, and
the time set was the following Satur-
day As soon as it became known in the
house the two youngest boys, Harry
and Jack, were wild with excitement.
"Mayn't we 90, too?" they shouted
in concert. "Please let us go. Wenev-
er saw a shinglemill. -
"A shinge-mill isn't much to see, !"
answered their father. "And besides,
you'll be getting into all sorts of dan
ger"
"Oh. no, we won't Well be so care
ful, if you'll let us go. 1t would esuch
nice ride"
"Why don't you let them go, faith
er, said Mrs. Allen. "They won't take
up much room, and they'll enjoy it SO
much"
"Well, well, ]" said the farmer, good
naturally, '1et 'em go then; let 'emgo.
shall have to take the double wagon,
if they do, though; and that's big
enough for the whole family"
"Why not take the whole family
then ?" asked Mrs. Allen, half in earn
est. 1--WE hardly been out of doors
the whole winter and spring, and
could enjoy the ride as well as the
boys"
Farmer Allen laughed.
ANY more of you want to go?
What would you do with the baby ?"
Take her, OF course. You don't
suppose weather like this would hurt
her? She needs air as much as any
body"
Are you really in earnest, moth
err"
Certainly l don't see why you
can't make a pleasure jaunt out Of it
as well as a business one. / haven't
been so far from home In five years,
and guess the house could get along
without me for halfa day. Becky can
get dinner for the men at noon, and
we should get home at or o'clock
at the latest"
Wei, just as you say, then. Pm
sure | have no objections. Wen have
to start pretty early, and, instead OF
having one OF the men go with us, |
shall have to drive"
SO the matter was settled.
At seven O'Clock the next Saturday
morning, the party set out, all in the
highest possible spirits. lnnumerable
charges were left with Becky as to
what 10 do about dinner, and how to
dispose OF other household duties, il
they should not return at the time ex-
pected. \ huge basket OF lunch was
placed under the seat, much to the
satisfaction OF Harry and Jack, who
had been too excited in regard to the
Journey to care for breakfast.
1t was a splendid April informing, and
but for the brown look OF the fields
and the thinly-leaved trees, would
have seemed like June The sun shone
and the birds sang, and everything
l,I,,l,+f,,1 n,
constantly finding something new to
admire IN the things about them, and
their merry shouts often occasioned a
sympathetic GOO" on the part OF the
baby, who stared with her big round
eyes at the cOmmonest objects as If
they We're the most wonderful things
in the world
1t was after eleven O'Clock when
they reached the mill Thewagon had
been left at the end of the road, a mile
back, the horses taken out, and a bag
Of oats emptied upon the ground for
them. They were both steady going
old veterans, used to the harrow and
pillow, and would stand Just where they
were left, hours at a time. The far
mer, however, had taken the precau-
ton, after putting the brides in the
wagon, to tie the halter to one OF the
wheels
The mill stood close down to the
waters edge, and in front and all
around 1t were heaps of blocks, refuse
timber, logs and shavlngs. 1t was not
z very romantic looking place. but
the children We're delighted with it.
The long ride had given them all a
good appetite. A rough table was
made out OF some boards laid across
a couple OF stumps, and the contents
OF the big basket were soon placed nm.
on It. Lunch finished, the farmer and
his son began theIrlnvestigation. while
Mrs. Allen and the children wandered
about looking for arbutus and gath.
erlng pine cones. There was more 10
be looked after about the mill than
was expected, and it was 2 O'Clock be
fore the Job was finished
50 busy had they been, that the
gradual cloudlng up OF the sky had
not been noticed, and it was not mn
I'll the sudden pattering of rain begar
upon the leaves that the little party
began TO look about them.
II nothing but an April shower, >
SAID Tom. I'VE shall have to get mn
der the shelter OF the mill till it passes
Don't you believe it." returned III,
farmer. We've had rain hangin,
round for week past, and we've col
y now, sure enough. Do the best ",
can, we shall be drenched. You rur
on ahead, Tom, and put the horses in
- as 20 be ready by the time We get
there. Well be riGht oft arvo,, -
ObedIent to his fathers advice. Ton
hurried rapidly along the path Ieadin,
70 thespot where the team had beer
LEFT, while the remainder OF the mart,
!0uoWed after as fast as they could
Inc place was reached at last. Tn,
wagon was there, the two brides Lay
J ust Where they were thrown, but til,
horses We're gone
For moment the farmer stood
dumofounded. Then he began TO ex