Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-02-03
The Punt That Was Upset,


The Punt That Was Upset
ooh, dear," thought Ted Merrill,
looking out Of the window ef the old
kitchen in the Merrill farmhouse, I'll
wish father wouldn't read su,h long
chapter in the Bible this morning. Sam
and I Want to be of on our trip to the
shore"
Farmer Merrill, an honest, worthy
soul, finally closed his Bible, laid it
deliberately on its little stand, took off
and deliberately wiped his spectacles,
laid them away in their old-fashioned
tin case, and then laid the case on q
shelf under the kitchen clock.
"Oh, dear!" inwardly g1oaned Ted,
cit does take father SO long5o get those
spectacles in their case"
The family now bowed for prayer,
and Farmer Merrills voice was heard,
voice that was husky and hesitating
at first, but it grew clearer and steadier,
and then rose without break. like
wings that, struggling for moment,
mount without faltering. The wings
of Feds thoughts beat the other way,
contentealy eyed.
Such long prayer@ thought Ted.
1t was not such long prayer nor such
a long chapter in the Bible, but Ted
was impatient to be away. His mother
did not feel so. She was thinking how
these moments of prayer were like a
breaking OF the clouds OF anxiety and
care gathering in every household, and
through this rift streamed down the
light from the shining Of Heavenly
Fathers countenance. The prayer
went on.
BE pleased, oh Lord, to keep us this
day from harm and danger" prayed
Farmer Merrill.
81 don't see," thought Ted, "what
harm and danger we people here will
run into. Nothing ever happens in our
house" However. day after day, that
petition had been woven into the family
prayer.
Cali ready, now, hope SAM was
| Ted's exclamation OF relief after the
family worship. Sam was an elder
brother. He now nodded his head.
1t was bright, beautiful morning.
The marshes were level floor of green,
with stripes OF crystal where the water
from the sea ran. at the swelling of the
! tide, two miles into the country. Ted was
eager for the sport Of the day. and
| hopeful also. i. Sam walked soberly
along the narrow footpath that threaded
the marshes.
Anybody going down to the fish
house, Sanl?" asked Ted.
"Juct we two, Ted"
Then whatever fishing there is, we
two can have it, Fam.
Il think so, ii the fish will only come
to our lines. %
I just want to get off soon as [ can. -
Eve won't be long in getting of,
/ Ted"
ooh. while you are getting bait
ready and so on, just let Me take the
old punt and go off to our lobster
nets. I mean my nets, the little ones
that 1 can handle"
"The old punt? She is ticklish
thing"
Il can manage it,
"Be extra careful, Ted, then. The
old thing turns before you think
Charlie Blake was off in her the other
day, and she almost capsiZed. Ran
against rock, you know"
ooh, don't you worry, Sam. 7 car
manage her, and Charlie can't. That
makes all the difference in the world,
you know"
Eyes, am aware Of that"
They reached the fsh-house. II
stood on the borders Of the marsh ant
not far from it ran Il river. 0, so blue
: and o, so treacherous: might we'll be
, added! When the tide was running
! either way in It's strength, there was
sometimes turbulence to the current
around hidden rocks and over sunke1
7 Lodges that made the river terror tx
i navigators. Ted was young navi
gator, and on this account had the LEST
terror. 1t was the very reason why h,
might have had deep-seated ant
. wholesome fear of this strong, obsti
nate, unreliable river.
Ted took the old punt while San
was busily preparing in the fish-hous,
for the more laborious work of the day
= "Ah, this is something like business !!
: proudly thought Ted, gripping hi
;, paddle when seated in the punt, ant
: boldly reaching out for the lobster
grounds. Splendid, splen-whew
strong current"
The energy of the current was sur
prise to him. Menacing green whirls
streaked with foam, seized the punt
and without mercy would have flung j
!, about, but Ted's paddle restrained
!. these threats of violence Still, hi
J. face was C GUIDED with q rather anxiou
n look when he remembered that q serie