Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-04-03
THE PICTURE In THE FIRE.
BY FLAvEL SCOTT MINES.

The feet of yachts lay at anchor off
Newport, swinging idly to and fro in the
gentle wind. 1t was peaceful, lazy
way of taking life, appealing to the
higher senses in all externals, and pro-
noting placid thought. Nothing to
worry, no social or business cares, it was
an Arcadia replete with all modern con-
Notwithstanding truly to be de-
sired. So Tom Armstrong thought to
himself, as he lay at full length in a
canvas chair and smoked after his din
ner. The sun was setting far beyond
the land in blaze of golden glory, and
every yacht reflected some color of the
sunset. Yachts On every side of him lay
rolling in passing swell, and his own
yacht rocked gently from side to side. A
little while after the sun sank from sight
the moon came up over the ocean, and
lights began to dot the shadowy fleet.
There was new activity among the
people about, and presently quartet on
one of the yachts began to sing. Then
row boats put off from each of the
yachts, and before long line of boats
encircled the yacht where the singers
lego glee club, and the young men, ap-
preciating the applause which came
from the audience, went On one song
after another, while the half circle of row
| boats tossed in the water. Tom Arm
strong was among the assemblage Of row
boats, he and his guest having rowed out
from the yacht, and the effect was one
that appealed directly to him. His oars
rested on the gunwalc, and he paid no
heed to the fact that his boat was slowly
drifting toward its neighbor.
''Hullo, there" said some one, sud-
denly, almost in his ear.
Tom started, and saw that he was
bearing down upon the boat, and almost
touching it. He put forth his hand to
catch the stranger boat and prevent them
colliding, but as he did so his fingers
| touched another hand that was out
| stree led. 1t twas only second before
. both hands were withdrawn, but in that
time Armstrong; boat had gently bumped
against the other.
II beg your pardon" he said, raising
his cap hurriedly and reaching for the
oars. sit was very careless in me-"
He looked toward the occupants of the
boat as he spoke, and quick as flash
the thought darted through his mind
that his carelessness was a blessing, for
looking at him was the pretUiest girl i'm
aginable. 1t was her hand thai he had
touched and drawn away from so quick
ly. 1t was not more than glance that
he gave, but he could have picked her
out again in any Thong. He rowed
away very slowly, and stopped as soon as
/ he could. He could just see the form
, and outline of the other boat, and could
/ count the occupants. There were two
| ladies and two men, and Tom wondered
who in the world they were and what re-
lation they were to the girl; he seemed
| to be wonderfully interested in her, con-
sidering the time he had seen her. The
! songs had been going on all the time,
but Tom had paid little attention to
| them.
The college boys had about exhausted
! their stock of new songs and Glanced
upon some of the old favorites. When
they sang Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party
the occupants of the surrounding boats
took up the chorus, and Tom was certain
that he could distinguish the voice of
lie petty girl when they sang
And twas from Aunt Dinah's quilting
party
/ was seeing Nelly home"