The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-09
Mariels Master.
by FRANK j. MATHEWS.

river. Nv carpet sack was packet
with a few books and writing material
and one evening. after bidding my
father and mother a good bye, whicl
was the first that I had ever said Il
them with the exception OF an absenc,
OF more than n day. 1 made my wa,
to tho landing, 80 that Old Boggs, the
Hatboatman, would not be hIndered,
but could start as soon as there was
sufficient light the next morning.
At daybreak was aroused by the
splash of water. which Old Boggs was
vigorously rolling up against the side
OF our craft in his efforts to free il
from the sand bar upon which he had
drawn 1t the night before. l arose
hastily. and dressing as went hur-
ricd to his assistance. We were soon
clear of the shore and floating with the
current of the grand old river, whose
waters at that time had never been
disturbed by the splash of steam driven
craft
1t Is needless to recount the monot-
onous chain of events connected with
our voyage. Nothing more than the
usual start at daybreak and tying up
Mt dark occurred for the first twelve
days out but as the thirteenth was
drawing to close our story proper
commences.
1 had been on the look out for some
time for suitable place to make a
stop for the night, when some distance
ahead l observed what appeared to be
an island. called Boggs' attention
to it. who informed me that it was a
''settlement." 1t was soon decided
that we were to stop there for the
night after which the old scow seemed
b float slower, as il to add to my
curiosity.
We rounded the head of the island
and made fast to little log landing.
near a house of the same material
which stood upon the bank. We were
soon on shore, and in answer to q
knock at the door. a man emerged
from the house. A mutual recogni-
tion between Boggs and him took
place but imagine my surprise when
they began to talk language which l
could not understand. Boggs, as 1
could tell by their looks. told him who
I was, and no welcomed me as best
he could. We soon returned to the
boat After supper. Boggs, without
any apparent regard for the general
run of conversation. broke in:
How would you like to stay on the
island this winterP'
Not having given the subject the
possibility of a thought was taken
at disadvantage. and he continued:
when 1 was talking to Jacobs up
at the house. he said they wanted q
man to come on the island this winter
and open school in English so that
their children might learn the lam
guage. Now. how would such a posit-
ion suit youp''
I studied a few minutes, and from
the same venturesome spirit which had
impelled me to want to make the trip
with Boggs, I consented to stay.
Every well, then. We will go up to
the house. / will recommend you to
Jacobs and he can 90 around the set
Element and see that the arrangement
is satisfactory to the balance of the set.
tiers"
; As we entered the house, we were met
by jacobs wife. as I supposed. who
having opened the door. motioned us
smilingly to the fire. which had been
klndled in the chimney place. for the
evenings were chilly.
Boggs soon made known our errand
to Jacobs, who lost no time in doing
as Boggs suggested in regard to calling
In some of his neighbors to make
contract with me. The novelty of my
position can be imagined when l say
that was asked to sign a contract
penned in German to conduct an Eng
lish school for term of six months,
as could not read word
Of the contract
The visitors did not stay long after
the business had been disposed of. By
Invitation of our host / remained for
tho night, Boggs returning to the boat
to keep everything straight, as he said.
Next morning at SUNRISE Boggs cast
OF. Before the sun had reached the
I would gladly have
places with anyone in Chris
tendon who had some one to talk to.
When I first entered John Jacobs
house / was struck with the apparent
difference between himself and wife
In age. as well as a similarity of ex-
preston of countenance, so that I was
not so much surprised as you may be
when say that Marie Jacobs was not
Mrs. Jacobs but Johns daughter ln-
stead OF Johns wife.
There is no need of my going over
the story of my stay on the island.
was soon at my work. and. as o con-
sequence of being interested. made
good Roadway. considering that none of |
my pupils understood word of the
language which l was teaching them TO
read.
John Jacobs was more enthusiastic
han any other man on the subject of a
school. Marie Jacobs was one OF my
scholars. and partaking of the nature
pf her father, was one of the most stu
iious Of pupils. She was enthusiastic.
though somewhat inclined to be shy,
and many were the hours that sat by
The fire and repeated the names in
English of the different articles about
he room. While I did this, Marie
would say the name after me, mimick-
ing my very tone. never satisfied unless
| gavc the much valued nod of approx
IL Thus matters went on, the winter,
which at first seemed TO me would be
ong lonesome season. was half over.
John played the violin. every man,
oNJ ok;lJ too g.. Al - 49, |