Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-17
"CALL II SQUARE. :"

mances small bits of territory are ca
pable of producing under favorable con-
ditions. Though containing but six or
eight acres, Rattlesnake island forms
the scene of quite an interesting episode
along this line. The island lies about
two miles to the northeast of Put-in-B Bay.
From its peculiar formation the island
is generally supposed to have derived its
name, though some assert that the ap-
pellation was bestowed in consequence
of the illimitaple quantities of the rattle
tailed species which rendezvoused in and
among the creviced and caverned rocks.
From these Businesses they were won't to
wriggle forth into aggressive promi-
nence, kissing and clicking their spite
and whipping the surrounding vegeta-
ton until everything looked blue.
An able accessory in the dispersion Of
this reptile host was undoubtedly vested
in the Drawn and muscle of old Hank
Hammond, who, with his family, locat-
ed on the island. Old Hank wasn't
afraid of rattlesnakes, evidently, and
prided himself manifestly upon owning
and occupying with his household gods
q whole island, which, if not very big,
was at least far enough removed from
adjacent isles to afford ample seclusion
So at least he imagined, and so in reali-
ty it might have proven but for the single
obtrusive fact that the old codger was
possessed of several comely daughters,
and since ''love laughs at locksmiths, /"
scales heights inaccessible, traverses dis
tances immeasurable and achieves i'm
possibilities of all sorts, this blind but
active imp was not long in finding his
way to Rattlesnake island.
Sadie, the oldest, was an attractive
maiden of twenty years, with eyes that
matched the color of sea and sky and
hair fluff of golden brown. She was
1.-THE and active, free and fearless, and
reveling in adventure, too, on the water
like duck. She was an expert at fish
ing and fowling, could manipulate pair
of oars with admirable skill, and with a
light skiff was accustomed to cross fire.
uuentlv snmetirnos alone: tho two mile
tween Rattlesnake and Put-in-Bay.
At the latter place she speedily be-
came the attraction of youthful fish
erman, who inadvertently crossed her
path--one Tom Taylor. After this de-
'velopment there was no more peace for
Rattlesnake. From time to time its
vicinity was haunted by spectral sail
which circled about the island. .edging
nearer and nearer at each cruise; until
one day it lay beached close by the
"grout" house of Hank Hammond. AT
beck of the little winged god Tom Tay-
lor and his boat had followed thecharm-
er to her rocky retreat. This being his
first experience in courtship, however,
Tom proved bit fresh, and his bashful-
ness was excruciating. His feeble ad-
vances were regarded with apparent dis.
favor, the coy maiden turning deaf
ear to his opportunities, until in blank
despair he shook the dust of Rattle
snake from his feet.
One early spring day, some months
following the collapse of Toms love af
fair, terrific squall, such as sometimes
swoops down upon the islands unan
nounced, struck Put-in-Bay with force
that wrenched limbs from trees and sen;
the troubled seas sporting up the rocks
in binding showers. Looking from hen
window an old woman who occupied a
cottage ON East Point thought she espied
small boat far out on the lake driving
eastward before the gale. From shell
she snatched pair of field glasses
through which she took a second obser.
vation. Yes, the boat was evidently
drifting at the mercy of the wind and
current. Not an oar was in motion.
Only a single occupant could be dis
cerned, and that female. With breath
less haste the old woman rushed along
the shore to a little cove, where among
the trees stood a fish shanty. Within
an angle of the L-shaped dock several
boats lay moored, and two fishermen
dressed in yellow oilers and sou'westers
were coal tarring twine over smoking
kettle ON the shore. One of these indi.
viduals proved to be our friend, Tom
Taylor. Tom took the field glasses prof
fered by the scared old lady, and through
them examined the drifting boat.
"Blast my buttons if it amt won
anr' he exclaimed. With two or three
long strides he reached the dock and be.
gan unfastening boat.
"What you goin to do?" demanded his
companion.
'Goin to pick up that skiff. Come on,
jim
Jim demurred, urging that no boat
could live long in such sea and that il
was just foolhardy to venture.
Tom, however, would take no denials,
and with serious misgivings Jim was
finally persuaded to take a hand at the
oars. Under the double pull the boat
plunged outward into the boiling surf
and spray dashed over the two rowers.
1t was hard struggle, and many times
the boat barely escaped swamping in
the heavy seas that struck her; but at
last the castaway was overhauled. As
they approached the woman stretched
appealing hands toward them and Tom
turned in his seat to get square look at
her. "Great Scottr'
The beaded perspiration on his brow
began streaming down his checklist
was Sadie, she who had SO cruelty Tilted
him. Butaall differences were forgotten
when life and death hung SO nicely
poised in the balance. The drifting
boat was nearly filed with water and il
- x'stH>-sH,7 --7s- * x-'-ss1sE'l1E