The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-06-16
CALL 1T SQUARE. "

1t Is remarkable what stable ro-
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 Putin BAY.
From its peculiar formation the island
is generally supposed 10 have derived its
name, though some assert that the ap-
pellation was bestowed in consequence
of the illimitable quantities of the rattle
tailed species which rendezvoused in and
among the crcviced and governed rocks.
From these Businesses they were wont to
wriggle forth into aggressive promi-
nence, kissing and clicking their spite
and whipping tho 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
a whole island, which, If not very big.
was at least far enough removed from
adjacent isles to afford ample seclusion
so at least no 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 unreasonable 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 a pair
of oars with admirable skill, and with
light skif was accustomed to cross fire.
quently, sometimes alone, the two mile
stretch Of water which interviewed be-
tween Rattlesnake and Put-in-Bay.
AT the latter place she speedily be-
came the attraction of A-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 tho little winged god Tom Tay-
lor and his boat had followed the charm
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 adj
rances were regarded with apparent dis
favor, the coy maiden turning deaf
car 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, a terrific squall, such as sometimes
Iswoops down upon the islands unan-
lnounced, struck Put-in-Bay with force
that wrenched limbs from trees and sent
the troubled sea5 sporting up the rocks
in binding showers. Looking from her
window an old woman who occupied n
cottage on East Point thought she cspied
q small boat far out on the lake driving
eastward before the gale. From a shelf
she snatched pair of field glasses,
through which she took a second obser-
walton. Yes, the boat was evidently
drifting at tho mercy of the wind and
current. Not an oar was in motion.
Only single occupant could be dis
cerned, and that q female. With breath
less haste the old woman rushed along
the shore to little cove, where among
the trees stood q fish shanty. Within
an anglo Of the L-shaped dock several
boats lay Inoored, and two fishermen
dressed in yellow oilers and sou'westers
We're coal tarring twine over smoking
kettle on the shore. One of these indi-
Sidnals proved to be our friend, Tom
Taylor Tom took the field glasses prof
Ifered by the scared old lady, and through
them examined the drifting boat.
BLAST my buttons if it amt a wom-
EnF ho exclaimed. With two or three
long strides lie 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 dcmurred, urging that no boat
could live long in such a sea and that it
was just foolhardy TO venture.
Tom, however, would take no denials,
and with serious misgivings Jim was
finally persuaded to fake hand at the
5ars. Under the double pull the boat
plunged outward into the boiling surf
and spray dashed over the two rowers.
It was hard struggle, and many times
tho boat barely escaped swamping in
the heavy seas that stuck her; but ut
last the castaway was syerhauled. As
they approached the Woman stretched
appealing hands toward them and Tom
turned in his scat to get square look at
her. Great Scottn
Tho .,ded perspiration on his brow
began stroaming down his checklist
was "a, a. Ne who had so cruelty Tilted
him. But all differences were forgotten
Wien A.a IA death hung so nicely
poised IN the balance. The drifting
boat wasnearly flied with water and it
seeind as IL every sea would submerge
but the Goat and Sadie were both
rescued and landed 1Ron the lee side of
a projecting head1and. Sadie was
drenched through and thr6agh. Her
hair hung in strings, her clothing chung
closely about her, and altogether she
looked as picturesque as attacked hen.
You may thank your lune for your
/ salvation" remarked Jim, turning to
the fair but dilapidated Sadie.
81 never see woman yit that !
thought moro Of than do of my indi-
yidual self, and if Tom hadn't shamed
me out and made me go l expect he'd
a went alone, and you'd a both gone