The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-11

tnlnE. and DlOOu pOureu ifD"s ~ A.."0s PiV'
fusely. 1t did almost break my heart to
kick at the little fellow behind, when
did not know how soon he might be
strangling aud struggling, even dying, in
the treacherous stream. but knew the
boy IN front was in deeper water. and
must he rescued II was an indescriba-
bic but never to be forgotten scene.
Could the Spiler family have realized my
anguish they would never again doubt
nv love for my offspring. Suffice it to
say rescued them and resuscitated them
before any Of the party were aware Of the
Inishap.
II did really brighten the boys, and
while was wringing their jackets and
things they kept very still. Finally Alph
said: del, is it papa or did be get
drowndedf" why is it children will say
drowndedD 1t alarmed me somewhat, for
didn't know but 1t had affected his brain,
and while hunted around for indications
Of skull fracture, or something to nc
count for it, pressed them both to my
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. Owe
al. ,ntioa1 fhaf IL iC tho CI1Qfnfn tn
prepare for such emergencies
Julia, smiling into Jim Hammonds face,
looked exactly like the girl she was half
dozen years before, and the whole com
pany had returned in the trinmest 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 sal 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. l"
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 a hornets
nest, my sensations would have been quite
as pleasant, 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 a corner and be pitied and
petted, ignored the headache and man
fully carried the boys aboard tho boat,
followed them here end there till saw
them safely inside the carriage that took
them home. felt hilarious when found
there wasn't room for me inside or out
side either, and started for street car,
regardless Of the fact that my dress had
lost it's springtime freshness, so to speak,
and entirely forgot that without the aid
of the pins and needles my mother-in-law
produced | should have been obliged, as
the other fellows said, TO have confscated
q suit of clothes.
OF course, there was the inevitable old
lady and young lady, to whom, as gen
tleman, do my duty, and from whom |
commonly receive very polite treatment.
Though the car was crowded, l could but
notice 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 d ride with such promiscuous crowd.
hadn't taken three steps when some
body shouted: Hello, old fellow"
Been on batT' asked another
"The cigars, john" cried third.
The laughter of the villains brought
around a policeman, who fairly howled
with the rest
What was the matter?
Well, found out when, at a corner
drug store, | faced mirror.
My nose had assumed colossal proper
tons 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 picnicy Not /; and as !
told you before, Pm man of spirit; but
here they come-mother- in-law, the girls,
cousins, everybody, to make their plans, !
suppose.
Later.-lf 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, a dozen strong,
insisting upon it that Julia wished to 60
$50 much" and could l have the heart