St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-08-24
TWO YOUNG CRUS0ES.
A Story for the Boys.

and WneH eFShihS SehhS ehSy INV oe-
hind Mr.. Brinser's barn or down in
NJ Talbot's orchard, and exchanged
grievances and sympathy. One
SSalf holiday week was all their
fathers allowed them for fishing and
baseball. They missed the circus
that came that way in July, and all
because the hay had to be made and
taken in while the weather was fair.
Their request to go camping with
some other boys in the middle Of
harvest time was sternly denied.
But the climax Of this reign Of tyr
amy and oppression was reached
one morning when Mr.. Brinser found
both lads hidden in shady fence
corner reading tattered copy Of
Robinson Crusoe." The angry
farmer appropriated the book, drove
Nick back to his corner of the fence,
and cufed Teddy severely as he
marched him off to resume his dis
tasteful task of hoeing corn.
That night the boys held an indig-
nation meeting and decided to run
away.
1--WE were not born to be slaves"
said Teddy, and won't stand it any
longer. Let's live on an island in
Kiester's Swamp, like Robinson
Crusoe and his man Friday did. We
can shoot birds and rabbits and
catch plenty of fish; and no one will
think of looking for us there. Won't
it be grand ?"
"Scrumtuous assented Nick.
mo more hoeing corn or digging
potatoes. Why, we can do just as
We please, Teddy"
The boys were all impatient to
carry out this tempting plan, and
before daylight the next morning
when their parents believed them to
be sound asleep, they were tramping
ight.heartedly over the fields. They
had helped themselves to whatever
supplies they could find-bread, pies,
lard, pepper and salt, and a leg of
ham. Nick had not forgotten to
bring knives and forks, tin plates
and a frying pan. Each carried a
fishing rod, blanket and a small
axe. A rusty muzzle-loader was
slung over Teddy's shoulder and a
shot pouch and powder flask dam
ged from his side. Nick was armed
with bow and arrows and a ham,
merless pistol.
They escaped observation by
striking to the wooded hills and ra-
vines, and several hours after sun
rise they penetrated the edge of
Kiesters Swamp, which stretched
for three OF four miles along the base
Of the mountain and was almost as
wide as it was long. 1t was weird
and lonesome place, full of pine trees
and tangled thickets, grim beds of
rock pierced by shadowy caverns,
marshy spots criss-crossed by Shiny
streams, and deep pools of inky-
black water. In fact, there was
water everywhere, and thus the
swamp was veritable nest of
Islands. The boys made their way
to the very center, crossing the pools
md streams by natural bridges of
allen trees. Here they found hard
soil and choosing an open glade
among tall pine trees, they built a
rude lean-to Of bushes and fragrant
pine boughs. This labor occupied
them until late afternoon, and when
they had prepared and eaten a
hearty supper, the twilight shadows
We're falling on the lonely swamp.
AOlazing fire made the scene more
cheerful, and banished a touch of
tomesickness The young Crusoes
We're too tired to sit up long. They
lay down side by side in the cosy
Ean-to, and pulled the blankets over
them, In less than five minutes they
we're sound asleep.
Several hours later Nick woke
from a frightful dream, in which he
was hoeing corn on circus day.
There was a confused noise all
around him and wet drops were
$pIashlng on his neck and hands.
lie hurriedly reused Teddy, and they
SIept to the door of the lean-to.
men they knew what it all meant.
a furious thunderstorm had burst
upon them while they slept. Big
'alndrops battered on the Kissing
Smoers OF the fires, and the pine trees
sroaned and creaked in the teeth of
Iue gale. One peal of thunder fol-
owed another, and purple flashes Of
4TsPntnlng famed across the sky.
me frogs in the marsh pools croaked
u'Smally, and screech owl close by
rent en-; the air with its shrll cry.
Inc boys shuddered and crept
G C0. to each other. The rain now
I'LL IN torrents, and poured in upon
uem n, from every crack and crevice,
.n Playing Crusoe amt such fun
''.er all said Teddy, soberly.
that's So" replied Nick. IL
"ish was at home in bed"
Just then fierce gust of wind de-
IIollShed the lean.to, leaving the
'o ES exposed to the pitiless storm.
r 1rab the things, quick" cried
Teddy do you remember those
, LUCK, we saw this afternoon We
uI T, try to find shelter there"
lUeV tore a wo,, tba f,lIa,, I>1,nbc