Milford chronicle., 1888-11-09

the whole I made one misstep and went
headlong into the water.
TIE boy on my back bounced of, and
the ether one tumbled down and clung to
my heels Ny nose struck a snag OF some
thing, and blood poured from it most pro-
fusely. 1t did almost break my heart to
kick at the little fellow behind, when
did not know how soon he might be
strangling and struggling, even dying, in
the treacherous stream, but I knew the
boy in front was in deeper water, and
must be rescued. It was an indescriba-
BILE, but never to be forgotten scene.
Could the Spiller family have realized my
anguish they would never again doubt
my love for my offspring. Suffice it to
say I rescued them and resuscitated them
before any of the party were aware of the
mishap.
It did really frighten the boys, and
while / was wringing their jackets and
things they kept very still. Finally Alph
said: ''Del, is it papa or did he get
drownded2' why is it children will say
drowndedD It alarmed me somewhat, for
Ididn't know but 1t had affected his brain,
and while hunted around for indications
of a skull fracture, or something to ac-
bosom and cried: "My dear, dear boys"
In my heart thanking heaven for them,
even with all their pranks.
We were only partially dry when they
seemed to get over the agitation they felt
at gazing at me, and clamOred for some
thing to eat.
Racing like horses, compelling me to
keep up with them, we came upon the
rest Of the party just as the fishers were
gathering around the ''fry, that fOrtu-
nately was carried on ice from the city in
case of disappointment, you know. Q've
always noticed that it is the custom to
prepare for such emergencies.)
Julia, smiling into Jim Hammond's face,
looked exactly like the girl she was half
dozen years before, and the whole COM
pany had returned in the trimmest man
ner imaginable.
Mamma, mamma, cried both boys,
Just as one unexpectedly caught me by
the foot and the other went up my back.
Naturally, we sat down, and though my
wife sprang toward us, with her heart
in her eyes, she laughed and laughed
again, and peal upon peal rolled out from
some twenty or more throats.
After time Mother-in- law Spiller broke
in upon the screams in this manner:
"Well, he hasn't murdered the children,
thank heaven, whatever else he's killed. "
"There was murder in his eye" quoted
another.
"Do you suppose he has beaten the
children tragically whispered a young
man of the party.
OF course knew it was all in fun, but
it wasn't so dreadfully amusing to me.
Why, if ! had been sitting on hornets
as pleasant, l think.
My head ached terribly, but was half
starved, and put away my first thought.
1t did seem as if they would never let
fellow alone, and laugh after laugh fol-
lowed every word l said The boys gave
their version of the affair, and gave vari-
GUS ones, fear.
When Mrs. Spiller said "ought to have
looked after them and not allowed them
to get out into the water, could not see,
in the face and eyes of my own story, any
way to improve matters; and so, with
splitting temples and blistered feet,
stood the abuse and ate and ate, regard
less of the little scamps my wife and her
sisters were tenderly cOddling.
After such meal they said they had no
fear for me, unless indigestion carried me
off; so, in spite of my well laid plans to
sink away in corner and be pitied and
petted, ignored the headache and man
fully carried the boys aboard the boat,
followed them here and there till | saw
them safely inside the carriage that took
them home. l felt hilarious when found
there wasn't room for me inside or out
side either, and started for a street car,
regardless of the fact that my dress had
lost its springtime freshness, so to speak,
and entirely forgot that without the aid
of the pins and needles my mother -in-law
produced, I should have been obliged, as
the other fellows said, to have confscated
suit of clothes.
Of course, there was the inevitable old
lady and young lady, to whom, as a gen
tleman do my duty, and from whom
commonly receive very polite treatment.
Though the car was crowded, l could but
notice a withdrawing of skirts, even
frowns. from some of the passengers, and
undue familiarity from others of the
rougher looking class, and soon left the
car, preferring walk from down town"
to a ride with such a promiscuous crowd.
hadn't taken three steps when some
body shouted: Hello, old fellowp
Been on a bat?" asked another.
1.-THE cigars, John" cried third.
The laughter of the villains brought
around policeman, who fairly howled
with the rest.
What was the matter?
Well, found out when, at a corner
drug store, faced mirror.
Ny nose had assumed colossal proper
tions and its hue corresponded well with
the color under one eye, which to q man
inexperienced in picnics and the care of
boys like mine might have suggested an
unpleasant encounter with fists. Alas, SO
the world is judged. The wicked escape
the condemnation they deserve and the
good, like myself, are tried and convicted
all unheard. Does anybody suppose / can
endure another picnic? Not l. and as
told you before, I'm man of spirit; but
here they ycome-mother-in-law the girls,
cousins, everybody, to make their plans, I
suppose.
Later-f people would not take ad-
vantage of mans love for his family it
would be possible to have ones own way
sometimes; but they came, dozen strong
insisting upon it that Julia wished to 60
$50 much" and could l have tho heart
to disappoint herr" and perhaps we shall
not all be here another year" in fearful
way from Mother Spiller. Julia herself
looked most beseechingly at me, and 1
finally said; "Wells thank heaven, Katie
is too young to go, and thank heaven, too,
she's girl" Katie is our baby.) There
were dark looks among them, and knew
what they thought; but they seemed to
consider the matter settled.
Oh, those boys of minel Why, only last
week they took possession Of the hose and
turned stream of water through the
house, and now before me are the carpen-
ter's and upholsteFer's bills.
There was such demolition of bric-a-
brac, too, that am surprised to hear my
wife interceding for anything that COM
pels us to take Aph and Del away from
home.
cannot understand why it is. My
father is a good and quiet man. was a
good boy myself-Pm sure of it.
It may be that my grandfather, or per-
haps some Of Julia's ancestors, are re-
sponsible for things-yes, Pm convinced
that il must be on that side of the house: