Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-03-31
THE DOOMED SKATER.

We were twins, Jack and |, but other
wise unlike. He was a fine fellow; |
acknowledged his supremacy and re-
joiced in his bold, free spirit. From his
childhood he had been the most impul-
sive creature that ever pointed moral
for headlong youth. Ever in scrapes
and difficulties, but never to his dis
honor. Jack fought one-half his ac-
quaintances into loving him, which the
still warns involuntarily toward the
wild, impulsive boy, with his headstrong
soul all agoy for mischief.
confess | was somewhat dismayed
by the aspect of this new country in
which we were forced to settle, fresh
from the sunny lanes of Kent and the
loved circle at home, and how could it
be otherwise? But as for Jack, he was
in raptures with everything that dis
quieted me. NoOhinC was more charm
ingly romantic tlal our hut on the bluff,
and no river could equal the brown, mel
ancholy Scugog.
We did not settle down to the regula-
tion life of the settler all at once; we
determined to sip the nectar of life on
the Scugog, if, inieed, there was any of
that ambrosial draft to be drained in
the township. The fascination of the
swift canoe Kept us almost constantly on
the datI, mysterious river; and in truth
there was scarcely ANY other outlet from
our dwelling save on its waters. By
day we ii5AeI and we shot from our frail
skis, and by night, when the moon was
up, we would paddle them in her silvery
wake.
have slid that few rough settlers
for..el our society on the Scugog.
Among them were some half bIeeds-a
species of degenerate Indian--who had
sunk from tAe dignity of forest life to
The suTvltuue and bt.l4eting of the white
settlers. Iuey were Lazy, good for moth
ing fellows, except III the matter of fish
ing or shooting, wherein they were pro-
ficiont. We found them useful in Civ
ing instruction IN the canoe life of our
river home. | preferred, for my own
part, to go pretIj much by myself on
our w4Ver eXcursIol5. Jack, however,
had no sch IDEA of placid enjoyment,
and speedily leaving me to my aquatic
revcries ne hired u hdnsdos, looking
scoundrel named Olier to assist him in
the naAage.nen5 OF lI5 canoe.
am no great 0is. Iple Of Lavater, but
| never l-.ad lAat half breed. All these
dregs Of Indian noolIty are s.ltlow, blear
eyed creatures, with world of cum
ming, but tilis fellow was chief of them
all for every .opdlsiye trait. OF course
Jack ridiculed Iny sentiments about this
new servitor; he was match for half
u dozen, twenty fellows like olier, he
said; and i, Was all rle,ht, and | was not
to botAer my head about him.
1t was &c, ing late III the fall; the In
dian summer-tAat beautiful dream of
loveilAess--had restored 10 us Ill evanes-
cent DeadtJ the glofies of Canadian
autumn. 1ue forests were as gay with
color as IA herala's tabard, and the an
was yet balnIy with the lingering sweet
ness of summer. One exquisite evening
born of one of these lovely days, | was
listlessly smoking as l lay on the top OF
the bluff, vllcanoly slletcning home land,
scapes in The dark Scugog rolling be-
nealh. A c. oe shot around the bend OF
the river below the village; it was pad
died by a so..tary figure, who turned out
to be Jack. l-new he had gone down
the Scugog to fish along with Olier
but no half breed squattel in the oppo
site end of the canoe. A vague dreat
seized upon me as Jack, running his lit
tie bark sheer up the bank, shouldereC
his puddle and marched up to me.
"IIow now, Jack? What have yor
done with your Charming companion?
l inquired. Disgusting my conjectura
fear.
Cad! | don't know replied IN.
brother, sitting down, oriental fashion
beside me.
mot know"
Mot bit" was his answer. "Hov
should | be acquainted with all the in
and outs of that Rosamond's bower?
Here he indicated as much forest witt
his aims as would have made a few
thousands OF the bower in question.
"Oh, perceive. He's gone trackin:
deer or some hing of that Sort said
immensely relieved by Jacks manner
There was a slight pause. My fears re
turned. | felt there was somethin,
wrong.
Well" said Jack ,"I'll tell you; dom
Bee why there need be any secret abou
it. You were quite right about tina
Oiier-you were. He's a good for moth
in,s fellow, and coolly refused this after
noon to paddle me when | wanted to G
down the river bit farther than usual.
And your
~ ran the canoe upon yard of ban
whether an island or not | cannot tel