Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-06-15
THE DOOMED SKATER.

We were twins, Jack and |, but other
riss unlike. He was fine fellow:
! acknowledged his supremacy and ne
Need in his bold, free spirit. From his
,bidhood he had been the most impul-
! ava creature that ever pointed a moral
m headlong youth. Ever i'll scrapes
and difficulties, but never to his dis
hmor. Jack fought one-half his ac-
,asintances into loving him, which the
rst did of their free will, and my heart
ill warns invuluntarily toward the
Wild impulsive boy, with his headstrong
lwul all agog for mischief.
confess | was somewhat dismayed
ty the aspect of this new country III
which we were forced to settle, fresh
from the sunny lanes of Kent and the
lloyed circle at home, and how could it
Ne otherwise? But as for Jack, he was
In rsptures with everything that dis
1 Ouieted me. Nothing was more charm
1 hgly romantic than our hut on the bluff,
/ and no river could equal the brown, mel
lcholy Scugog.
E We did not settle down to the regula-
lion 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
L there was scarcely any other outlet from
EOU dwelling save on its waters By
Idaywe 6shed and we shot from our frail
Esiffs, and by night, when the moon was
lup, we would paddle them in her silvery
wake
+ have said that few rough settlers
tOrmed our society on the Scugog.
EAmong them were some half breeds-a
Species of degenerate Indian-who had
bunk from the dignity of forest life to
the Servitude and buffeting of the white
EEettlers. They were lazy, good for moth
Ping fellows, except in the matter of fish
Eng or shooting, wherein they were pro
Itcent. We found them useful in Civ
InS Instruction III the canoe life of our
tnVer home. ! preferred, for my own
IEart, to go pretty much by myself on
Hour water excursions. Jack, however,
'ad no such idea of placid enjoyment,
and speedily leavisg me to my aquatic
leyeries he hired a hangdog, looking
EOundrel named Olier to assist him in
management of his canoe.
lam no great disciple of Lavater, but
lever liked that half breed. All these
fiegS of Indian nobility are sallow, blear
Fled creatures, with a world of cum
png, but this fellow was chief of them
Tor every repulsive trait. OF course
PACK ridiculed my sentiments about this
Nv servltor; he was a match for half
dozen, twenty fellows like Olier, he
dd' and 1t was all right, and was not
bother my head about him.
Twas getting late in the fall; the III
uah summer-that beautiful dream of
f"einess-had restored to us in evanes-
EenI beauty the glories of "a Canadian
ea'umn The forests were as gay with
E"or as a herald's tabard, and the air
k@yet balmy with the lingering sweet
k@of summer One exquisite evening,
I OF one of these lovely days, | was
'uessly smoking as | lay ON the top of
duff, vacantly sketching home land
Apes In the dark Scugog rolling be-
1n' A canoe shot around the bend of
NnVer below the village; it was pad
leu oy solitary figure, who turned out
Jack. Enew he had gone down
scugog to fish along with Olier;
IT. 10 half breed squatted in the oppo-
@eno OF the canoe. A vague dread
yea upon me as Jack, running his lit
Oafk she r up the bank, shouldered
paddle AID marched up to me.
now now, Jack? What have you
Dae with Your charming companion
inquired, Disgusting my conjectural
Gad! | don't know" replied my
fside me.
Not know
not bit" was his answer. How
uiu be acquainted with all the ms
outs Of that Rosamond's bower
ne indicated as much forest with
arms as would have made a few
1sanas OF the bower in question.