The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-09-28
THE SAILING PARTY.

When Mr.. Tompkins decided TO give
sailing party, be determined that he
would make it n success.
"a long and happy 6Sy On the water
said he, talking it over with cousin Maud,
'sL.st's the idea You bring your mother
Hnd Ask any OF your friends, and we'l
see IL wa can't have n little spree"
Cousin Maud thought it u very nicc
iL-a- She had never sailed rauch She
wondered IL she would be p good sailor.
and WAS quite confident that she would,
because she was not i'll ut all when she
went down To Old Point on tho steamer
Mr.. Tompkius was also quite confident,
for, iu fact, Mr.. Tom: -kins was very
sweet on Maud, and didn't like, even IN
fancy, 70 see the beloved object seasick-
SO Maud said she would ask some OF
the girls-sfrs. Jones and Birdie Toultitt
and Of course dear Mis- Rounder, and
they would have the best time that was
ever kuowH-go out beyond the Navesink
light, right into the real ocean. 1t would
&c perfectly splendidl
With lghJness Of heart they parted.
Mr.. Tonpkins, after hunting about the
maritime parts of the city and feeling
very much Of = sad sen dog, hired the
most lovely small slOop, called the Vik-
.ug, with 4 cabin and a cockpit, 4 skipper
and hoy.
From q distance It looked like real
yacht. IL was only when you got on
boa-d that you found the cabin too small
10 stand mp in, and that the seats in the
cockpit were 80 narrow you slid on them
when the Viking heeIed.
Mr.. Tompkins has a blue flannel suit
vith brass buttons and peaked cap.
Tho Iadies wear Tam O'Shanters. OF
large, tapping tennis hats tied down saw
sScly with long wells Over their arms
arc mack ntoshss, shawls and ulsters, in
thsir hands paper novels. parasols, a book
81 signals, two field glasses, n few boxes
Of candy. Miss Rounder carries an air
cushion OF rubber. Birdie Tomtitt box
% biscuits.
As Mr.. Tompkins approaches with
messenger boy in his wake carrying the
lunch, ho finds them all leaning over the
s,l-c OF the wharf looking at something
in the water. What can they be looking
.ty He's about TO call out. but fears that
the notes OF his manly voice may startle
them, 80 that they Will fall in. Then they
sec him and rush forward with elusive
greetings:
80 glad you've come. How could you
be latel Dear mel What lot OF bas-
k-ts' Isn't the day perfect Maud and
her mamma are too late. Is IL going TO
nc NlnuJf 10 you tnlnk II = rouksn OUT
-lde2'
Thus bssieged, the gallant TompkIns
falls into easy attitude ianked by the
baskets, and, returning greetings, finally
asks:
"whst were you all looking at when
camo upg"
There is silence. Then some one
says:
1--WE were looking at the boat. She's
very pretty, but-um-rather far down.
That isl should say-the tides very
low"
Mr.. Tompkins exchanges some jovial
nautical remarks with the speaker in a
jaunty manner. and finally inquiries:
''Ah, skipper, how are we to get the
ladies on board, see no stepsr'
The skipper, without moving, spits
dreamily, and says:
Thar amt no steps nowheres round
here But thar's ladder nailed up
against the wharf thar. They'll have to
climb right down that"
All the ladies peer over.
There are, indeed, some bits OF wood
nailed one over the other against the
slimy boards of the wharf, and these are
hardly wide enough to hold your toes.
The ladies keep a panied silence.
The skipper, pitying them, says consol-
ingly;
"They could jump It, II they set right
down on the edge, with their legs dan
Cling over, and we could ketch 'em on the
fly"
"Oh. that's nothing" says Tompkins,
poOhpoohing, and loftily waving his
hand, Wen get you down easy enough.
You watch now-it's very simple. You
get down this way" He sits down on
the edge of the wharf, then turns over
very charity, and feels for the ladder with
his toes. He doesn't find IL, however, and
his position is perilous.
Just a little lower and you're all
right, " says the skipper, watching him
with interest. but not moving; Just
little lower"
In his efforts to get little lower Mr..
Tompkins slips suddenly down, clawing
along the wharf with hooked 6ngers. He
clutches pos: in time, and saves himself
from falling in the face of all his ladies,
PROSTATE on his back on the deck.
When he gets down be says with tri-
umph, putting good deal, and oblivious
OF long, green stains on the front of him:
That's the way to do il! Oh, it's not a
Bit hard when you get the knackr'
The ladies acquire the knack in differ
ent ways Mrs. Jones sits on the edge,
carefully wraps her skirts around her
ankles. aud then springs wildly out. with
her eyes shut, screaming. She falls upon
the - Upper aud Mr.. Tompkins, ranged
below her, who are as rocks TO the shock.
But Birdie Tomtitt, who comes second. is
afraid OF this bold style She hesitates.
aud eliuss and shrinks in greaS anguish,