The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-05

Freu, DIS lace rHu1Anb Will eAcltements
"Hullo, Fred" he cried, when he was
barely within hearing, "here's the great
est piece of luck I've heard of yet"
"What is it asked Fred, joining him
with eager anticipation of some plan for
a days amusement.
"Why," painted Harry, out OF breath
with running, "father says il your father
is willing, we can go on the 'Crazy jane
on her next trip up the lake."
Harry's father was large lumber
dealer, and owned several vessels that
rode the great lake.
"Good," exclaimed Fred, and his eyes
grew round and big at the thought,
won't that be the jolliest lark that ever
you and I struck When do we go?"
and Fred looked ready to start at once.
"But are you sure your father will let
your" asked Harry, who felt secure of
his own position.
"Of course he will, Hail." replied Fred.
Il guess can do what you can"
Nevertheless, the wedge of doubt had
entered his mind, and he felt degree
of uneasiness until his father returned in
the evening, and being told of the plan,
said, in careless, good-natured way,
that he supposed if Harry was going,
Fred might as well 20, too.
The "Crazy Jane" was expected to ar
rive the next day, and as her stay might
80 tna do AZ cd hiatt I,o h<.xy
should 70 to the city in the afternoon.
They felt very tall and important as they
| boarded the train and handed their tick
cts to the conductor with a knowing air
that plainly said, ooh, yes, we are used
to this sort of thing; this is nothing at
all uncommon" But whether common
or uncommon, it had not grown weari-
some, and eyes and ears were on the
alert to see and hear all that was to be
seen or heard.
When they reached the dock, sure
enough, there lay the "Crazy Jane" with
name printed in unmistakable characters
both fore and aft. What noble ship
she wasl how broad her decksl How
tall her mastsI The captain had been
told of the distinguished passengers he
was to have on this voyage, and he gave
them hearty greeting as they appeared
on the dock, and showed them the way
up on to the deck, bidding them make
themselves at home.
The "Crazy Jane" did not 60 out that
night, owing to some needed repairs,
but it was great fun to 60 to bed in the
narrow little hunks, with the sound of
the water washing the side of the boat,
and the loud voices of the sailors in their
ears; and their dreams were almost equal
to the tales of Sinbad the Sailor. The
next morning they were told that it
would probably be evening before they
would sail, as the work to be done was
greater than thought at first. But it did
not disturb their minds at all, for the
many sights of interest up and down the
and sizes, filled with life and activity,
were not exhausted by any means. Dur
ing the night a brisk wind had sprung
up, and they could look out through the
river channel, over the lake, whose
broad, blue expanse was dotted with
white-capped waves. But along in the
afternoon, they began to think change
would be agreeable, and questioned the
captain as to the possibilities Of depart
ure 30 often that his patience was we'll
nigh exhausted; but the answer was al
ways the same, "Not for some time yet
and when a jolly tugman, who went
putting by, called out to them, "Say,
youngsters, want a rider" they answered
with one voice, "Yes"
He drew up alongside the larger boat
and the boys jumped eagerly aboard the
little smoke begrimed tug, and soon left
the close ill-smelling river behind, as
they moved out into the broad, clear
lake.
Here was lark, indeedl 1t was worth
while waiting in the hot river all day for
such treat as this, and they examined
the tug with curious eyes and asked
many eager questions To be sure it was
not to be compared to the "Orazy Jane, "
but it was very novel to feel the little
craft pant, like some living thing, as she
went bounding out into the rolling
waves. As they left the harbor, the
waves dashed higher in the strong wind
that seemed terrible gale to these two
inexperienced young land lubbers, and
they looked anxiously at the serene Wis
age Of the unconscious tugmsn. Not SO
unconscious as they thought, however,
for he had keen eyes looking out Of his
grimy face, and he saw the anxiety they
were trying to conceal. Who shall say
what he feltp Mirth? Perhaps SO; at all
events he turned on just trife more
steam, and the little boat gave a bound
as che struck a great, swelling wave.
What tiny thing she seemed in that
mighty, seething caldronl He did not
mean to be unkind, and as he saw how
pale and ill the two boys really looked,
he slackened speed, put about and head
ed toward the land.
1t was great relief to Harry and
Fred; but the strange horrible feeling of
dizziness and weakness rem aimed even af-
ter they were safely landed on the smooth,