The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-08-05
ON THE HOUSEBOAT.

| iucrritSt
As soon as he had received the legacy
left him by his uncle, Nugget Skimpley of
| the Australian goldfelds, Mr.. Skimpley
had sent his only son to Oxford to add to-
| the family ton and through him had pick
| ed up 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 'chc,
she said.
And IL was to Overwhelmingly
known as Crumbs-of Magdalen that the
particular adventure befell which it Is my
present purpose u relate, though, as the
sequel will show, Miss Vernon was not
wholly embarrassing in the episode.
When young Frederick Skimpley had
been written to ut college and told that he
might bring couple of friends to the
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
ment In the same way. Still there was
Crumbs
"And whichever is Crumbs" CALCULATED
Mrs. Skimpley to her spouse over the
breakfast table sis he the blues man or
| the poet"
"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
s her sons letter, but 1t was not to be found;
, | SO she was still In doubt whether Mr.. Alb
: ercrombie was the poet or the athlete when
o her guests began to arrive.
None of them needs any special mention
except Miss Vernon, who was tall, wei
: set up girl, with hair Of golden brown, &
clear complexion and good teeth. She wa:
Mrs. Skimpley's niece and could now yer,
properly be regarded as poor relation.
They were all sitting chatting under th'
awning over the roof Of the houseboa
when skiff was seen approaching. in TIN
e stern of which sat a gentleman In a yer.
n immaculate boating costume. Something
# told them that this was Mr.. Abercrombie
r and so it proved to be.
n AS he stepped aboard Mrs. Skimple
Il noted particularly that his trousers wer
bagQy; that his shirt was Of white silk
and that in the buttonhole Of his colleg
blazer was a beautiful blush rose.
3, However, the elegance of Mr.. Abercrom
le bie's get up, coupled with the fact that hi
=. face was extremely pale, was quite sufi
Is cient to convince her that It was the poe
" and not the athlete that stood before them
i. ~ am so delighted you have come, MI
;. Abercrombie, she said, "but we are s
" disappointed that neither Mr.. Wedgewoo
ie nor Frederick can come with you. l.,
m me introduce you''-- And the introdu'
is tions were made, Mr.. Abercrombie bowin
to everybody with grace which Mr.
BY Skimpley afterward declared was poeti
If itself.
or "Have you ever been to Henley before?
90 asked the hostess.
" eyes. many times" replied Abercron
iu bic, slight look of surprise passing ov'
~ his face.
he 1T suppose you find the river inspir
er. some of your poems2" continued the lad
ID "How envy your power to write love
Mt verses! You must compose something 4
my album before you go. F."
''Im really afraid " he began, THAT "
do me too much honor. l couldn't
AZ, "Now, you mustn't say that, " broke
elt Mrs. Skimplcy archly. "A little bird h
at told me all about your Newgate poer
ny SO, you see, you are found out. D"
Id Abercrombie laughed. A light had su
denly burst upon his mind. He was bell
mistaken for the absent Wcdgewoo
"Well," he thought "I'n try to play I
in part. 1t will be more amusing than figt
mn ing as a mere muscular animal.
,s;. And so he forthwith accepted the poe
=. cal crown wrongfully placed upon his bro
ns, and proceeded to talk sentiment with q
mirable gravity. -,
by He had quite a discussion with Nj
rk, | Vernon on the subject of the superiority
mind over muscle and lamented that
er. many young men should think more
an winning race than composing some
,ho And Miss Vernon, who thought that
Mr.. Abercrombie were not quite so poet
ins ally languorous he would not at all b.
Aeo had specimen of young manhood,
ngs moved to open wrath by his lackadaisi
un sentiments,
we, The Skimpley party dined and win
hes and then Abercrombie, weary OF poeti
oxv imposture and his hostess gushing adj
,ast ration therefor, slipped quietly away TO
~ walk and pipe along the bank
His thoughts were not altogether hap
IN although they were mainly occupied W
Tor Miss Vernon "What a fool / am maxi
pan of mysclfp' he reflected. Here's
rem | liphtful girl whom l should like to plea
fish | and vet am deliberately figuring Def
milo her i'm n character she despises, which
Ia exactly the opposite of my own. What !
verse devil tempted me into this scnsel
dcceptiony"
Abcrcrombies mcditations had
reached this disagrccable point when {
ON were interrupted by n startling incide
N! He heard a splash, and then loud sore
ian. rang out on the air, followed by agoni
ycle cries for help.
lght In an instant the dreamer became n
sort of action. He ran forward and foun
woman standing on the waters vel
wringing her hands in terrified grief.
VI incohcrcntly cried out that her child
fallen into the river, and that her husD
rfui an trying TO rescue IL had also sunk.
pose Abcrcrombie flung OH his jacket
ting shoes and divcd In. He found the pal
'olis 10 bottom and seized the child to res
6rst. But her clothes were tightly grip
m the drowning fathers hands.
Abcrcrombie tried to drag her aw
ear hut the grasp would not relax. The
ease sire for breath was upon him. He sci
the Girl with both hands, put foot on
love sother's chest and tore her from his clu
and tbs next instant he drew blessed
spiration ON the surface
- dozen willing hands--for the ser
'o''' had attracted others to the sccne-hc
-, him with the child to the bank. The
diycd again and easily recovered the !
."" of the father.