Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-08-12
A MARINE FARMHOUSE.
copyright. 1890, by the Aifthor.i
CHAPTER l
BY oPIB REID.


Il age he was placed at the head lof a
.arge steamboat. This, though, was not
the height of his ambition He yesTned
to own large boat and be inSfact its
master Large boats in those days We're
often called floating palaces, so in1ispar
ing was the means employed in their
and even an industrious
man who aspired ito the Ownership Of
one could not realize his ambitious
dreams in day. GoAtlieb married
Memphis ladys girl, not unlike him
self, of sturdysGerman stock. Heart and
soul she shared his aspirations, and with
delight they soon found themselves, in
Of fortunate speculation,
of sufficient money with
which to build their floating palace.
At last Gottlieb was the owner of a
fine boat. and, with his wife and little
girl Ida on board, he proudly plowed
the mighty river During an extremely
high stage of water, the highest ever
known in that day. he went up the Ar
kansas as far as Fort Smith, took on u
large shipment Of cotton and came
down with % sweep With what feel
ings of self eongratulation did ne stand
on deck and survey the people who rush
ed from their houses to watch the Schil-
Ter rs she passed. and how his wife,
knowing so we'll his feelings, shared
theml They had passed Little Rock and
entered the low and sandy district,
when dark night came ON.
Don't you think we'd better tie up
till morning." asked Gottlieb of the
pilot.
mot at all necessary. l know the
river like book y
Eyes, but remember that the water is
higher than you ever saw it before. .
"Who says it is?" the pilot answered
rather sharply, for some river men are
proud of their record in this way and
dislike the very mention Of recent waters
being higher than any they have seen
in the past
"Oh, don't know particularly who
says il is, but from what | can gather
here and there the river has passed her
highest mark Of former years "
"You are doubtless good authority ON
the Mississippi. captain, but l don't
think you are very well acquainted
with the Arkansas -
al! right, go ahead "
Tho night grew darker and darker,
and fog crept along the water and rose
into the air. Not light could be seen
along the shore.
wish | had taken his advice, !"
unused the pilot. Hanged if Thought
that few drinks would make me SO
obstinate TO tell the Gods truth, I
don't know where l am. The river
must have risen wonderfully, for the
whole country seems to be overlooked
I'd land, but am afraid lie strained
his eyes and "rummaged' his recolleo-
ton. Gottlieb, with an anxious face,
came into the pilothouse.
where are we, Mr.. Quirmer?"
Somewhat near the Giles place; but,
to tell you the truth, don't know ex-
aotly where. Wish had taken your adj
vice, for the whole country is over
flowed. .
81 wish you had. Some of the pas
sengers have gone to bed. Think I'd
better have them aroused.
He turned TO go and had taken hold
Of the doorknob when the boat struck.
Aground, by all the gods that ever
few over waterr' exclaimed the pilot.
The captains face was rs pale as a
ghost. Still holding the doorknob, he
looked at the pilot and said;
"You have ruined me,
Don't think that, captain. She
struck very easily, and l think that by
unloading n few bales Of cotton we cen
shove her off. "
Gottlieb, without replying, went be-
low. The grounding had been SO easy
that the passengers were not in the
least frightened, but stood about and
joked. One man asked the captain why
he didn't call his boat the Picwboy
and another man, great wing and self
appointed wit, said
Say, eap'n, why don't you call hei
the Wheelbarrow?
Because, Gottlieb replied 'shf
will make more than one track before
she gets out of here.
All night they worked without avail.
Morning dawned upon n scene OF dreary
waste The Schiller was in little tielt
between two strips of wood, Hope wa
soon abandoned, for the water was fall
ing rapidly The pilot kept ont of tn,
captains way, but he need not hay,
done so, for the poor fellow 5 face show
ed sadness instead of anger. When tn,
crew had been called to be paid off anC
dismissed, the captain said: Boys
hate to put you off here, but it can b
helped This field, | am told, was neye
overfiowed before, and it is useless t.
expect rise in the river have mad
arrangements to have this cotton haule,
away. The passengers will also receiy,
transportation Where is Mr., Quirmer3'
Here am. sir "
why don't sou come up and sc
your money!
Because, sir, l don t deserve it. >
Nonsense. Do you suppose thinl
you grounded this boat purposely?"
No, butt am the cause of its being
here
"Yes. and ann the cause Of its beinl
built 2
"You said that had ruined you.
Did |? Well. it was because / wa
vexed at the time
Il have never seen such another maj
as you are, captain. Many man woul
not only have cursed me- but would al
most have wiped me from tho face o
| II.