The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-04-10

qulJe udrk, anu Jle boys were ODllg-
ed to defer thcir-trial-trip until the
next day.
The next day as soon as they had
finished breakfast, Eugene and
Stephen made haste to pull their
ice-boat down to the river. The
wind was fresh, the sky cloudless,
and the ice as solid as stone.
The boat proved a grand success,
and flew over the surface of the
frozen water of the Hudson river
with astonishing velocity. Eugene
managed the tiller, while Stephen
took charge of the sail and sheet
line. The Icicle could sail before
the wind, tack, and come about just
like a sail-boat, only with much
more ease and swiftness.
They had been out less than an
hour when Mr.. Turner appeared on
the shore. After looking at the
Icicle earnestly for a moment, he
climbed into his own boat and
drew rapidly toward them.
When he was within a few yards
he called out: Why, boys, who
made your ice-boat?"
owe made it ourselves, Mr.. Turn
err" replied Stephen. at is only a
rough-looking affair, but it seems to
work all right"
at is a little rough, tits true, but
that is of no consequence at all" )"
said Mr.. Turner, inspecting the boat
closely. "You have built it for
speed, l see. You carry rather
more sail than 1 think exactly safe.
You had better drop the peak when
you catch a gust. VIII you try her
against the Ice Queen?"
"Yes, sir, thank you,' cried the
boys in concert, for they were great
ly flattered and pleased by Mr..
Turner's proposal.
Mr.. Turner brought the Ice Queen
within few feet of the Icicle. The
two boats presented a great contrast
-one with its lily-white sail, smooth
red frame and shining gilt letters,
and the other of a uniform gray
coler, her sail old and patched in
many places, though large and
strong.
Eugene felt rather dismayed as
he noticed the difference, but Steph-
en- whispered, encouragingly;
ave will beat, l am sure"
81 Think" said Mr.. Turner, iii
will be safer to go up the river, fol-
down below the bend the ice is
thin"
eyes, sir" replied Eugene. ga
ther told me it was dangerous down
there this morning"
"Then," said Mr.. Turner, we will
go up as far as the fisherman's
house, and back to my grounds. ]
am sure of the ice so far. Now
boys, when you are ready 1 am
They started, and before many
minutes Stephen and Eugene learn.
ed the truth of the proverb, "All il
not gold that glitters,' for the little
gray Iciclc soon shot ahead of it,
fine rival.
The boys felt as though they
would never grow tired of this de
lightful sport. The keen wint
whistled about their eyes ant
brought the bright color into theil
= cheeks as they rushed past thu
| snow-covered banks over the shin
ing ice. And, besides, there was tn,
Ice Queen behind them, urging
them on to greater exertions.
The two boats went up and dowr
several times, and always with thu
} same result.
: When they reached the boa
house for the fifth time, Mr. Turner
sprang out and said, laughingly
at is very plain to see which il
the better boat. But we will try i
over again tomorrow"
: Then he bade the two boys good
bye aud returned to his house.
The next morning they were ou
again and so was Mr.. Turner. H,
taught them several things abou
, the management of their boat, an(
. Stephen and Eugene thought hin
= very kind and friendly.
In this way a week passed. Blu
) one night it grew quite warm ant
D rained hard. Then it was founC
4 that the ice had broken up at man,
points along the river, so the boy
were obliged to wait for colde
weather before venturing on
S again. After little while, however
r another cold spell came, and the ic
T. seemed as hard as ever.
: Stephen and Eugine were reioicet
Y at this and prepared the Icicle 70
a good long trip. When they reach
g ed the center of the river they foun,
|; that tha wind blaw n ,oo,coat II