Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-09-10
ON THE HOUSEBOAT.

ON THE HOUSEBOAT.
Mrs Skimpley's houseboat was always
one of the prettiest at Henley, as the party
gathered on it was generally one OF tho
merriest
As soon as he had received the legacy
left him by his uncle, Nugget Skimpley OF
the Australian goldields, Mr.. Skimpley
had sent his only son to Oxford to add to
the family ton, and through him had pick
ed up a lot of SNOWY and useful acquaint-
ances. Several Of these were to be of the
Henley party, for Mrs. Skimpley delighted
in varsity men. They were so "chlc,"
she said.
And 1t was to Abercrombie- miliarly
known as Crumbs-of Magdalen that the
particular adventure befell which 1t is my
present purpose to relate, though, as the
SEQUEL will show, Miss Vernon was not
wholly uninteresting in the episode.
When young Frederick Skimpley had
been written to at college and told that ne
might bring a couple of friends to tho
houseboat party, he at once invited Aber-
crombie and Wedgewood He wrote and
said so, mentioning that Abercrombie was
the glorious possessor of three blues, while
Wedgewood had won the Newgate.
But Tuesday morning had brought let
ter from her son, saying that OF his two
friends only Crumbs could come, and that
he himself could not get away until Thurs
day.
Mr.. Skimpley was decidedly chagrined
at the news for Frederick would have at
least been able to talk about his noble
friends at the varsity, while doubtless the
other absentee would have been able to
contribute somewhat to the general enjoy
,nent in the same way. Still there was
Crumbs
"And whichever is Crumbs" calculated
Mrs. Skimpley to her spouse over the
breakfast table. ''Is he the blues man or
the poets"
"Look up Fred's letter. That'll explain
It," advised her husband, lighting his pipe
and going out to look at the weather.
Mrs. Skimpley looked everywhere for
her son 8 letter, but it was not to be found;
so she was still in doubt whether Mr. Alb
ercrombie was the poet or the athlete when
her guests began to arrive.
"
except Miss Vernon, who was tall, well
set up girl, with hair of golden brown, a
clear complexion and good teeth. She was
Mrs. Skimpley's niece and could now very
properly be regarded as poor relation.
They were all sitting chatting under the
awning over the roof Of the houseboat
| when skiff was seen approaching. in the
stern of which sat gentleman in very
| immaculate boating costume. Something
| told them that this was Mr.. Abercrombie,
| and so it proved to be.
As he stepped aboard Mrs. Skimpley
noted particularly that his trousers were
baggy; that his shirt was of white silk,
| and that in the buttonhole Of his college
blazer was beautiful blush rose.
| However, the elegance Of Mr.. Abercrom'
| bie's get up, coupled with the fact that hi
face was extremely pale, was quite suffi
| Gent to convince her that 1t was the poe'
| and not the athlete that stood before them
IL am SO delighted you have come, Mr.
Abercrombie, she said, "but we are *
disappointed that neither Mr.. Wedgewoot
nor Frederick can come with you. LIE
me introduce you''- And the lntroduc
lions were made, Mr.. Abercrombie bowint
to everybody with grace which Mrs
Skimpley afterward declared was poetr.
itself.
"Have you ever been to Henley before?
asked the hostess
eyes, many times" replied Abercrom
bic, slight look Of surprise passing owe
!, his face
II suppose you find the river inspire
some Of your poems?" continued the lady
, Chow envy your power to write Lowell
versesl You must compose something fo
my album before you CO."
!, "I'm really afraid, /" he began, "thnt 20
} do me too much honor. Couldn't
/. snow, you mustn't say that" broke !
Mrs, Skimpley archly. IA little bird hi
told me all about your Newgate poem
60, you see, you are found out. "
Abercrombie laughed. A light had sue
denly burst upon his mind. He was bein
mistaken for the absent Wedgewoot
"Well," he thought, "I'll try to play tt
part. It will be more amusing than fgu
: Ing as mere muscular animal"
And 80 he forthwith accepted the poet
: cal crown wrongfully placed upon his bro
}. and proceeded to talk sentiment with o.
mirable gravity
Vernon on the subject Of the superiority
mind over muscle and lamented that
J many young men should think more
winning q race than composing sonnet
And Miss Vernon, who thought that
7 Mr.. Abercrombie were not quite so poeti
Q ally dangerous he would not at all be
= bad specimen Of young manhood, W
8 moved to open wrath by his lackadaisic
sentiments.
The Skimpley party dined and wine
: and then Abercrombie, weary Of poetic
a impostrire and his hostess gushing adm
ration therefor, slipped quietly away fol
walk and q pipe along the bank.
1. His thoughts were not altogether hapr
although they wore mainly occupied wi
Miss Vernon. "What fool am MAXI
Of myselfp' he reflected. Here's a I
: lightful girl whom / should like to plea
y, and yet / am deliberately figuring befe
= her In q character she despises, which
u exactly the opposite Of my own What p
verse devil tempted me into this sensel'
deceptionin
Abercrombie's meditations had !,
". reached this disagreeable point when til
were interrupted by startling incidel
IA, He heard splash, and then loud sores
b. rang out on the air, followed by agoniz
~ cries for help.
In an instant the dreamer became m
Of action. He ran forward and foun,
woman standing on the waters verI
Ok wringing her hands In terrified grief.
u. incoherently cried out that her child
~ fallen into the river, and that her husba
|ie In trying to rescue 10 had also sunk.
MI. M hta {nohok =