The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-06-27
A MARINE FARMHOUSE.
By OpIB REID.
copyright, 1896, by the Author.1
CHAPTER r

ANY OF Gn6 Ola MISSISSIPPI river neH
can recall Gottlieb Langbuerger. He
was first known as q cabin boy, indus
trious and economical, and with discre-
ton better ripened than with most boys
of his years. His faithfulness caused his
gradual advancement, and at 90 years
of age he was placed at the head of a
large steamboat. This, though, was not
the height of his ambition. He yearned
to own large boat and be in fact its
master Large boats in those days were
often called floating palaces, SO unspar-
ing was the means employed in their
appointments, and even all industrious
man who aspired to the ownership of
one could not realize his ambitious
dreams in day. Gottlieb married a
Memphis lady. a. girl, not unlike him
self, of sturdy German stock. Heart and
soul she shared his aspirations, and with
delight they soon found themselves, in
consequence of a fortunate speculation,
possessors 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 Slowed
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 a
large shipment of cotton and came
down with sweep. With what feel
ings of self congratulation did he stand
on deck and survey the people who rush
ed from their houses to watch the Sehil-
Ter as she passed, and how his wife,
knowing so well his feelings, shared
theml They had passed Little Rock and
entered the low and sandy district,
when a dark night came on.
''Don't you think we'd better tie up
till morning?" asked Gottlieb of the
pilot
"Not at all necessary. know the
river like book. -
r 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. 9
ooh, i don't know particularly who
says it 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 don't
think you are very we'll acquainted
with the Arkansas.
p "All right, go ahead"
The 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 I 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 I am. The river
must have risen wonderfully, for the
whole country seems to be overlooked.
I'd land, but am afraid" He strained
his eyes and 'rummaged'' his recollec-
ton. Gottlieb, with an anxious face,
came into the pilothouse.
Y where are we, Mr.. Quirmer?'
Somewhat near the Giles place; but,
to tell you the truth, don't know ex-
actly where. Wish had taken your adj
vice, for the whole country is over
flowed. ~ ;,
IT wishly you had. Some of the pas
sengers- ohave gone to bed. Think I'd
better have them aroused. :"
g He turned to go and had taken hold
of the doorknob when the boat struck.
aground, by all the gods that ever
flew over waterl" exclaimed the pilot
The captains face was as pale as
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 I think that by
unloading few bales of cotton we can
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 Plowboy
and another man, a great wag and self
appointed wit, said:
"'Say, cap'n, why don't you call her
the Wbeelbarrow?''
because" Gottlieb replied, t'she
will make more than one track before
she gets out of here. y"
All night they worked without avail.
Morning dawned upon a scene of dreary
waste. The Schiller was in little field
between two strips of wood Hope was
soon abandoned, for the water was fall
ing rapidly. The pilot kept out of the
captains way,sbut he need not have
done SO, for the poor fellow s face show
ed sadness instead of anger. When the
crew had been called to be paid off and
dismissed, thesoaptain said: Boys, I
hate to put you off here, but it can't be
helped. This field, I am told, was never
overdowed before, and it is useless to
expect rise in the river. I have made
arrangements to have this cotton hauled
away. The passengers will also receive
transportation. Where is Mr.. Quirmer?"
Here L am, sir
''Why don't you come up and get