New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-08
NETWORK LIFE
TIE SAILING PARTY.

hen Mr.. rompkns decided TO give sailing party
he determined that he would mako 1t success
a long and happy day tho water" said he. talk
Ing Il over with Cousin Maud, that's the idea. lou
bring your mother and ask any of your friends and
we'll see II we can't have a little sprce'
Cousin Maud thought 1t very nice idea. She had
never sailed much. She wondered II she would be
GOOD sailor ard was quite confident that she would
because she was not III at all when she went down to
Old Point on the steamer Mr.. Tompkins was also
quite confident, for, In fact, Mr. Tompkns was very
sweet Maud and didn't like. even in fancy TO see
the beloved object sca-sck 80 Maud said she womb
ask some Of the girlS-Mrs. Jones and Birdie Tomtit
and of course dear Founder. and they would have
the best time that was known-co ont beyond
the Navcsink Light, right into the real ocean IL
would be perfectly splendidl
With lightncss of heart they parted Mr.. Tompkins'
after hunting about the maritime parts OF The CITY anu
feeling very much of a sad sea dog, hired the most
lovely small sloop called the Viking with cabin ana
cockpit, a skipper and boy. From distance IL
looked Just like real yacht. IL was only when you
rot on board that you found the cabin too small
to stand up in and that the seats in the cockpit were
so narrow you slid OF them when the Viking hcelcd
Mr. Tompkins himself from distance looked Just like
real member Of the y. y. y. {. He had DUO
flannel suit with brass buttons and peaked cap. SET
archy on one side for the complete subugaion OF MS
lovely Maud. lie frit that he looked quite fast ana
fashionable and indeed was so long studying himself
in his Glass and curling up the ends of his mustache
that he was late, and found some of his party
already assembled when he reached the pier.
The ladies are all prepared 10 do battle with the elc-
ncnts The. wear Tam o. Shanters. Or iargr happdhS
tennis hats tied down savagely with long vclls' "Nc'
their arms are nackntoshes, shawls and usters' In
their hands paper novels, parasos, BOOK OF sEhals
two field glasses a few boxes of candy. Miss Rounucr
ain chi of rubber
biscuits.
As Mr. Tompklns approaches, with messenger poS
In his wake carrying the lunch, he mas 'ch' al io"
ing over the edge of the wharf looking at somelh"e I'D
the water. A great cacklins and clamor OIL 'o'oe'
artses and in their excitement they bend over SO lar
that Mr. Torphlns has full view of their Ankles ID
the desbabille of old, comfortable low shoes "ha
ran they he looking at He's about TO call out pu'
fears that the notes of his manly voice may s'aftc
them, so that they Will fall in. Then they sec Din
and rush forward with elusive greetings:
aso glad you've come. How could you be late !!
Dear mo What a lot Of baskets: Isn't the DAY per
feet? Maud and her mamma are late 100 - IL
eo,rr m he windy? DO you think it's rough outside !!
Thus bcsioged the gallant Tompkins falls INTO all
e.sv attitude Aankcd by the baskets and, returning
greetings, finally asks -.
What were YOU all looking at when came up'
There Is silence. Then some one says
1--WE were looking at the boat. She's very pretty
the tides very low"
Yes the tide must be low, for the boat IS indeed
a long way down, gently iamming up against inc
Shiny boards. But she looks very swell, very mnch
of Yacht. If there wasn't so much "hi'e pam.
about her and little more brass, it would De haru
to tell her from the genuine article bu' inc sAPp.i
who is leaning against the mast, chewing peacel"i
on,d and souintng up al them from under the 0rim
of his straw hat-wen, Mr.. Tompkins owns that ne
Is disappointed in the skipper The appearance Oh
this son of the sea is not conducive 70 styIe. No
one would mistake him for the genuine article Win
his sun-burned straw hat and his red suSpehdefs
Mr. Thompson exchanges some iovlal nautical
remarks with him in iaunty manner, and finally
inquiries
"Ah Skipper, how arc We going to get tho ladies'
on board9 don't see any steps,
Tho skinner without moving. splts dreamily. and
says:
THAR amt no steps nowhcres round here But
thar's ladder nailed up against the wharf, 1heS IL
have to Climb right down that
All the ladies peer over. There are, indeed some
bits OF wood nailed over the other against the
Shiny boards OF the wharf and these are hardly
wide enough TO hold your toes The ladies keep a
panied silence. The skipper, plying them, says
consolingy;
"They could jump it, If they set right down on the
edge, with their legs dangling over, ana we
could ketch ZEN on the fly"
.Oh that's nothing says Tompkins, pooh-poohing,
and loftily waving his hand Wen get you down easy
enough. You watch now-i'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 He doesn't find IL, however,
and mis- position is perilous.
just little lower and you're all right says
the skipper, watching with interest, but not moving
lust a little lower
In his efforts to get little lower MI IompRns
slips suddenly down, clawing along the wharf with
hooked fingers. lie clutches post in time, and saves
himself from falling in the OF all his ladies' pros
trate on his back on the deck When he gets down
he says with triumph, pulling good deal, ana Oh
Iyicus of long, green stains on the front OF him
That's the way to do it! Oh, IT'S not a Dlt nara
when you get the AnacA!'