Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-12-19
SIDNEY'S PRESENT.
BY ALVIN BURTON.

The holidays were approaching, and
every boy in Ferndale was counting
on a good time, not such time as the
sturdy, winter-bred boys of the North
enjoy, however Ferndale was
beautiful Florida village, and Christ
mas came amid flowers and soft, hu-
mid airs and boating and fishing.
A knot OF boys were gathered about
little cottage near the edge of Silver
Lake the afternoon OF the day before
Christmas
The boat is for sale. gentlemen,
and the price is one hundred and fifty
dollars. II you have that amount ly-
ing loose around your pockets, just
pay it now, and the boat goes to the
best man." And Abner Tucker, the
old fisherman, looked at the crowd of
boys at the door OF the cabin, and then
at the handsome little boat ly ing moor
ed upon the beach OF the lake.
Justin Orren. the son OF the richest
man in the village, was the first TO
speak.
I'm get my governor TO buy her,
She's perfect beauty"
you want to hurry up, them"
said the old fisherman. She's like
ly craft, and there's some fellow from
New York been looking at her. What
are you thinking OFF," he queried
abruptly turning TO Sidney Clare, a
poor lad who was a favorite with him.
II was wishing that could buy it,"
Your sneered Justin Orren.
You'll be thinking OF buying the viii
lage next"
Sidney Clare flushed holly.
Il can express my thoughts. l be-
lieve." he said. II may be able to buy
it yet"
when you do, let me know" sneer-
ed young Orren.
Sidney turned from the throng with
a quiet air.
You cannot provoke me TO quar-
rel. he said. you may be a rich
mans son, but you are a bully for all
that"
Help, helpm
The cry startled the boys from their
petty pickering, sounding as if out at
sea, and looking thither they saw an
overturned boat and a man struggling
in the water. In moment Sidney had
reached the beach, and, springing into
the little boat which had just been the
object OF the conversation, with a cut
ting stroke he drove it toward the
drowning man.
1t proved To be a visitor TO the viii
lage, a boarder at the hotel. one Mr.
Brandon, who was out sailing when
the accident occurred.
"You are brave lad" he said,
,-ho,, \ ,.aoohaI he l,,@
for you 1 should have been drowned.
How shall reward you?"
81 ask no reward" said Sidney.
al am not a rich man." said the
stranger, "but can do something for
you. Come to the village inn. and you
shall have "A small recognition OF your
services at least"
Some time later the boy was dealing
to his companions the generosity of the
stranger. He had given TO him piece
OF Mexican money! curious coin,
worth nearly ten dollars.
II have only a few OF these"
he had said to the boy. II
am in great hopes that shall
find many more, however. would
like to have you go TO the island In the
lake with me tomorrow. 1 have a
secret quest to make that may interest
you.'
or course there was great specula-
ton and curiosity among the
boys, and the following day
Sidney Clare set out for the island
with the stranger. Mr.. Brandon.
1t was toward night that day that
the boys, led by Justin Orren, were
standing at the door OF the old fisher
mans cabin conversing with Abner
Tucker on the subject OF his boat when
they were approached by the stranger,
accomanied by Sidney Clare.
lis your boat still for sale, Mr..
TuckerP" queried tho latter.
Are you going to invest?" sneered
Orren.
Sidney did not reply. The old fish
erman answered: