The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-10
THE DOOMED SKATER.

THE DOOMED SKATER.
We were twins, Jack and I, but other
wise unlike. He was 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 a 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
rest did of their free will, and my heart
still warns involuntarily toward the
wild, impulsive boy, with his headstrong
soul all agog for mischief.
l confess l 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
quoted me. Nothing was more charm
ingly romantic than our hut on the bluff,
and no river could equal the brown, mel
ancholy Scugog.
We did not settle down to the regula-
ton life of the settler all at once; we
determined to sip the nectar of life on
the Scugog, if, indeed, 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 dark, mysterious river; and in truth
there was scarcely any other outlet from
our dwelling save on its waters. By
day we tshed and we shot from our frail
skiffs, and by night, when the moon was
up, we would paddle them in her silvery
wake.
l have said that few rough settlers
formed our society on the Scugog.
Among them were some half breeds-a
species OF degenerate Indian-who had
sunk from the dignity of forest life to
the servitude and butfeting of the white
settlers. They were lazy, good for moth
ing fellows, except in the matter Of fish
ing or shooting, wherein they were pro-
fcient. We found them useful in Civ
ing instruction in the canoe life of our
river home. preferred, for my own
part, to go pretty much by myself on
our water excursions. Jack, however,
had no such idea of placid enjoyment,
and speedily leaving me to my aquatic
reveries he hired a hanSdog, looking
scoundrel named OAer 10 assist him in
the management of his canoe.
am no great disciple of Lavater, but
l never liked that half breed. All these
dregs of Indian nobility are sallow, blear
eyed creatures, with a world of cum
ming, but this fellow was chief of them
all for every repulsive trait. OF course
Jack ridiculed my sentiments about this
new servitor; he was a match for half
a dozen, twenty fellows like Olier, he
said; and it was all right, and was not
to bother my head about him.
1t was getting late in the fall; the In
dian summer-that beautiful dream of
lovehness-had restored to US in evanes-
cent beauty the glories of Canadian
autumn. The forests were as gay with
color as herald's tabard, and the air
was yet balmy with the lingering sweet
ness of summer. One exquisite evening,
born of one of these lovely days, / was
listlessly smoking as lay on the top CT
the bluff, vacantly sketching home land
scapes in the dark Scugog rolling be-
meath. A canoe shot around the bend of
the river below the village; it was pad
died by solitary figure, who turned out
to be Jack. knew he had gone down
the Scugog to fish along with Olier;
but no half breed squatted in the oppo-
site end of the canoe. A vague dread
seized upon me as Jack, running his lit
tie bark sheer up the bank, shouldered
his paddle and marched up to me.
How now, Jack? What have you
done with your charming companion"
| inquired, Disgusting my conjectural
fear.
''Gadi / don't know" replied my
brother, sitting down, oriental fashion,
beside me.
Mot know
Mot q bit" was his answer. "How
should be acquainted with all the ms
and outs of that Rosamond's bower
Here he indicated as much forest with
MS arms as would have made a few
thousands of the bower in question
"Oh, perceive. He's gone tracking
deer or something of that sort, said |,
immensely relieved by Jacks manner.
There was slight pause. Ny fears re-
iurned. / felt there was something
wrong.
Well" said Jack. "Tll tell you; don't
zee why there need be any secret about
l. You were quite right about that
Oher-you were. He's good for moth
ing fellow. and coolly refused this after
coon TO paddle me when l wanted to 20
Town the river DIT farther than usual
And you:'
Il ran the canoe upon yard Of bank
whether an island or nor cannot tell
gave the lnsolenr rascal "A good bas-
Iinado with tie paddle and set hLl
ashore
Good heavens exclaimed with !