River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-06-18

ly aside and almost fell across the boat
20 the middle seat. She swept the bank
clerk out of hts place into feeble and
astonished heap. seized the oars. and
with a couple Of powerful strokes
swung the boat round out of danger.
Afterward the bank clerk had a con-
fused remembrance of being called
COMPOUNDED young IDIOT" and he re-
scented II with an air of dignifled sur
prise toward the chaperon for the rest
of the day.
Aunt Emmelina resigned the oars to
the squatter when they were in clear
water again, and seemed much troubled
because she had burst her black kid
gloves. She smiled at the surprise OF
the party at her act. and said simply
she had been used to the management
Of boats since her earliest youth.
When the meal was over Aunt Emmc-
lima felt very much what Is popularity
Enown as "out of it."
Aunt Emmelina was dying for
smoke. II she could have talked 10
Esther she would have sacrificed the
desire, but as II was she merely anath-
ematized the squatter and kept finger
ing the pipe and tobacco pouch she had
carefully put In her pocket until she
could resist no longer.
would you like to come out In a
boat with me. my child!" she said. at
last, gently. 10 Thea, who was feeling
somewhat exhausted after a prolonged
attack upon cream cakes.
Everyone remarked how well the old
lady pulled. and Ella waved a relieved
farewell from the shore.
Aunt Emmelina rowed at a rate that
would have fairly electrified the pic
nickers could they have seen. Then she
gave the oars to Thea, subsidized into the
bottom of the boat. lighted her pipe
and had luxurious smoke that soothed
her injured feelings and ruffied nerves
into placidity again.
at isn't many brothers would do
what I've done for you girls" she said,
as Thea pulled back again some hours
later.
Two OF three of the girls. Esther
among them, had strolled some distance
away and were standing on u bowlder
idly throwing stones in the dancing
water and watching the circles.
A frightened scream broke the hot
quiet air over the river. Two of the
girls were running frantically about
and the third was struggling in the
water. They all knew by the sailor hat
bObbing about that It was Esther.
The squatter gave an answering shout
and started running at great rate. TAX.
ing off his coat as he went. But Aunt
Emmelina shot along in front of him
Her skirts were gathered up in a rough
bunch under one arm, her bonnet hung
down her back by the strings, hel
glasses tumbled off, her hair wabblee
about and fell in a gray mass over her
shoulders.
Jack knew himself TO be no NEAR
swimmer, but the skirts tangled hi.
feet and the tight jacket held his arms
The squatter WINS only few yards be
hind. Jack struck out wildly and made
rapid pace. But somebody seized him
under the arms and he struggled for
moment to free himself from the jacket
1t was one of the officers. n better
swimmer than either of them.
my - dear = mad Ime," he painted
holding him in a firm grip and trying
TO swim back with him. put your hant
on my arm-so."
'Drown your grandmother!- splut
tered Jack. swallowing pint of water
as he freed himself. Cant you see who
lamp"
The squatter was ahead of him. III,
trod water for second and flung of
the jacket that bound his arms.
He gained on the squatter. He re
ceived the splash from his circiing boots
full In the face. and the temptation foi
water leap-frog was TOO strong to be re
sisted.
He trod water again. came up behind
his enemy, planted his feet or his shoul
ders and sent him downwaI4 wiz. the
greatest good will and energy. Half
dozen more strokes and he was along.
side Esther.
"Jaek-oh. dear Jack-oh. Jack" she
said. Historically. as his wet. beaming
face bobbed up beside her head, that she
was trying to keep fiat on the water in
floating position.
Its all right. little gir'." he said, re
assurlngly "Everything's al right
now. You're as safe as a church"
There was a general roar of laughter
as Jack climbed out and lifted Esther
from the water, little the worse for her
adventure. he had left his bonnet and
his wig and his jacket in the water,
and appeared in a white flannel shirt
and long. dripping skirts.
Joan unfastened the hooks and he
kicked them of and stood before them
attired In his boating fiannels-
Thank heaven" he said. with pious
fervor. Then an adjournment was made
for drying purposes TO cottage close
by, and Esther submitted without pro-
test TO the supporting arm OF her res
cuer. The rest OF the day was confusion
and merriment, but there were five
white minutes at the end that spread
out afterward over the whole lives Of
two people.
GLOW can I ever thank you?" Esther
said, and blushed beautifully. for she
knew quite well the way she could.
in a book" Jack whispered, "the
hero and heroine would be sure to mar
~ after such an adventure and live hap
PLY TO the end OF their lives"
"Ohi" said Esther.
"And the heroine would be absolutely
certain to reward the hero with kiss"
after all. it's only Auns Emmelina.'
she said. with little trembling laugh.
as her lips touched his. Then she fed
away down the garden path after the
others.
He went into the house again. giddy
with his sudden happiness.
"What did l tell you?" said Thea,
dropping the corner of the window
blind with a triumphant smile.-Pear-
sons Weekly.
The poppy throughout the east is
an emblem Of death. In many pan Is
of India this flower is planted upon
graves aud in cemeteries. Whether or
not the idea was suggested by the poi
souous character of the juice Is uncer-
tain. II Is believed that the poppy was
/ known as a funeral plant 20 the ancient