Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-02-23

likely TO be, and send me telegram TO
clarse. street, and will tell you whA,
10 do"
Charlie had such implicit, faith in Jack
Raggless ingenuity that he wen, home
,ha, evening In comparatively happy
frame Of mind.
lie wrote 10 Doris the first thing next
morning. and In the evening 20. reply
10 the effect iha, Mr.. Thornton was al
ready making preparations for long
days fishing upon the Wednesday fol-
loving. He islegrsphsd Immediately to
Jack hgglss. and received the following
reply;
keep close to him. ba, out Of sigh,
q, O o'clock In the evening"
Charlie wondered what on earth bis
friends scheme could be. but resolved TO
obey instructions. lie knew very well
that Mr.. Thornton's happy hunting
ground was a secluded baekwa,or. IA
mou. for ,eneh and perch. abou, couple
Of hundred yard. above the lawn Of bis
house. Thi,her be repaired s.ealihily,
like a man ben, upon an evil erand,
abou, 6 o'clock. and took up position
upon q rough rivepide path. well nigh
hidden from sigh, by bushes aud foliage.
whence lie could observe the enthusiasts
Old fisherman wiikou, being seen himself
The old gentleman was sitting like ~as
figure in hi. punt. with large cigar in
his mouth aud rod in hand, when Charlie
arrived. so completely absorbed was
Mr.. Tkornion in bis sport that Iesi.
men, nigh, have dshled behind him
wi,hou, attracting hi. notice. Charlie
watched him till dis,ani church clock
chimed the quarter TO siI.
lie then saw the old gentleman take
ou, bis watch. look AZ IL Aiten,ively. and
after few moments hesitation. slowly
and reluctantly began to pick up bi.
rod aud line and pa, bis Paraphsrnalia
together.
Charlie began TO &c, anxious. What.
ever plan RAgsles had eoneOc,ed would
have TO be carried into execution quickly
or |, would be TOO late.
At las, Mr. Thorn,oa had arranged bis
tackle and united bis pun, poles and was
pushing OF into the stream.
Charlie. heart sank. bu, he efsp,
swiftly forward TO little promon,ory 70
watch the old gentleman faithfully. Ae-
eording TO Instructions. until o o'clock.
Mr.. Thornton. being old and obese.
pun,ed slowly aud with difficulty, and as
the clock struck siS. he bad not 70, on,
Of shallow water SO intent was Charlle.
however. in looking a, him. that be dii
no. perceive the dark outline Of steam
launch coming directly down upon the
punt. aud be was only made aware OF
the fact by seeing the old gentleman
wave one arm vigorously and by tearins
him skol, Justify at the same time that
he endeAyored TO gs, bis unvieldy pun,
back oa, Of the way. Bat !, WAS too
late: the bow Of the launch wen, gen-
ily sglin,, the pan,, bu, with saiheiin,
force TO Ill, /, up. with which movemsn,
the poor old s,oek.broker was sent iloun.
dsring into the water, yelling madly a.
he went.
Quick a, though, Charlie DASHED in.
The water was fortunately barely up TO
his waist. 90 he seized Mr. Thornton
under the arms, and after much splash.
ing and shouting and fuss. 10, him into
the pun, and then on board the steam
launeh.
The frs, person Charlie saw on beard
va. Jack Ragsle.. who, behind the res
eued stock broker, back. was impres'ins
silence And non.reeOsni,ion BY energetic
gestures.
Directly Mr. ThOrn,oa fel, himself
firmly on his feet, be bur, into 'iolen,
passion. which was in no way appea.ed
by the appearance Of Jack hggls.. whom
he did not know. with the mos, admir-.
able expression Of eon,riiion In bis face.
and the word. "lm sure I'm awful sorry,
.ir." on bis lips.
"Sony. sir" rOared the old man; 80
you oush, 10 be, sir | consider Il po.i.
lively iniqui,ou. aud abominAble thA,
man eanno, 20 og, for a days fishing
wi,hou, being run into by a lot Of cock.
neys who have no more idea Of handling
. steam launch than they have Of
handling a balloon And shall take
the very earlics, opportunity. sir, Of lay
ing the matter before the authorities. in
order ,ha, such unwAuan,able in,erier-
enee with the liberty OF the sabjsc, may
be Immediately pa, a stop TO. i, Is
abominAble. sir. AbominAble "
Scan pa, you ashore sny~hsre ?
asked Jack. deferentially.
"Ye.. sir. you can, as soon as possible,
aud before | catch my death Of cold" re-
piled the old gentleman. "YOu see those
steps. ahead, sir p
I'll do" replied Jack.
"wsll. thea. II you can see those steps
how the devil was !, you couldn't see
me ," said Mr. Thornton. "Bat as you
can see them. steer TO them. ,hA, i'. II
you know how to. They belong TO me,
cir, Thomas Thornton. Esq.
As yet, the irri,a,ed stock broker had
given no though, TO his rescuer; but As
they were floating gently down the stream
toward the house he turned and said
"And to whom am | Indebted fer my
rescue from the wa,ery grave"
Charlie stepped quietly forward and
bowed. The old gentleman started back
and exclaimed;
"Good gracious! Mr. Ringwood! Sir.
allow me to shake your hand mes, heart.
lily. You have performed an &C. to-
nigh. which shall no. pass without reeog-
milton. You are q noble fellow. sir-a
noble fellow J"
"I did nothing. Mr.. Thornton. but
wha, any other man would have done