Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-06-02
CALL IL SQUARE"

CALL II SQUARE,
1t is remarkable what sizable ro-
mances small bits Of territory are ca
pable Of producing under favorable con
ditions Though containing but six OF
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-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 illimitable 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
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 imneasurable and achieves inn
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
light skiff was accustomed to cross fre-
quently, sometimes alone, the two mile
stretch of water which intervenad be-
tween Raftiespake and Put-in-B Bay.
AT thaAIatter 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 a 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 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 ed
vances We're regarded with apparent dis
favor, the coy maiden turning a 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 uaan-
nounced, struck Put-in-Bay with force
that wrenched limbs from trees and sent
the troubled seas sporting up the rocks
in binding showers. Looking from her
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 shelf
she snatcbed 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 single occupant could be dis
cerned, and that afemale With breath
less haste the old woman rushed along
the shore to little cove, where among
the trees stood 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 a 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 wom-
Inl'' he exclaimed. With two or three
long strides he reached the dock and be-
gan unfastening boat.
what you goin to do:T demanded his
companion.
.'Goin to pick up that skiff. Come on,
Jim
Jim demurred, 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 take hand at the
oars Under the double pull the boat
plunged outward into the boiling surf
and spray dashed over thetwo rowers.
1t was a bard 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 a square look at
her. s.Great Scottr'
The beaded perspiration on his brow
began streaming down his checklist
was Sadie, she who had SO cruelty Tilted
him. But all differences were forgotten
when life and death hung so nicely
poised in the balance. The drifting
boat was nearly filed with water and it
seemed as if every sea would submerGe
it; but the boat and Sadie were both
rescued and landed upon the Ice side Of
projecting headland. Sadie was
drenched through and through. Her
hair hung in strings, her clothing clung
closely about her. and altogether she
looked as picturesque as ducked hen.
.'You may-thank your lune for your
salvation" remarked Jim, turning to
the fair but dilapdated Sadie.
Il never see woman yit that /
thought more Of than | do Of my indi
vidual self, and if Tom hadn't sfamca
me ont and made me 60 | expect he'd
a. went alone, and yon'd a. both gone
Il. z