The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-10-02
Jack, Max and the
~ Pretty Priscilla.
BY FRANKLIN TRUESDELL
[~coryright. .so1.l

TWO well-dressed men, both still
young, though one was a few years
the senior of his friend, stood near a
steamboat landing on the Sound one
summer morning, watching the roust.
abouts transferring freight from the
shore TO the deck of the craft on which
they were about to take passage.
The elder of the two, who had been
continually looking about in an expect
ant manner, suddenly called out: sHere
you are at last, old fellow. What in
the world has kept your"
Then lint running toward him, skill
fully and yet politely, eluding all play
full attempts to impede his progress,
a little boy infant five years of age,
who was a perfect picture of rugged
health and childish beauty. His hat,
perched c~arelessly on his head, formed
the background for a mass of golden
hair, blown hither and thither as his
sturdy little legs sped down the gravel
slope. His round, happy face glowed
in the morning air, and his eyes spark
led with Unsurpassed excitement.
"oh, papa!" he began, before he had
quite recovered his breath. "Thaye had
such a time with Maxi"
Il wal beginning to fear he had made
q breakfast of you,'' was the fathers
answer, as the child slipped one little
hand in his.
HE might try, If he could get at me
now" rejoined the little fellow. "But
he's safe enough in one of the store
rooms, if some one don't let him out"
But at that moment the steamboat
gave q shrill whistle, and Jack, walking
between his father and his fathers
friend, turned to go on board the boat.
Among the passengers assembled on
the upper deck stood a little girl of more
than ordinary attractiyeness. She was
just passing that line Of life on one
side of which people write "girl" and
on the other young lady," She at
traeted not a little attention as she
stood there, leaning lightly over the
rail. When Jack and his guardians
reached the deck she was saying good
by to q sun-bonneted friend on the
landing, and Towle, the younger of the
two men, caught the full beauty Of
the fresh face as she laughed out some
pert reply to her friends earnest cau-
ton: Now, do be careful, Priscilla"
Already the time for casting of the
moorings had passed. The captain was
vigorously ordering about the deck
hands and confusion reigned. The
pretty girl stood up on a seat to get
clear of a line that was being hauled in,
still talking with her friend on shore.
pretty as a picture" thought Towle,
as he watched the lissome figure sway
ing with the motion of the boat. Pris-
ella waved her last adieu, and then her
friend. mingling with those left on the
landing, turned away.
The young girl still stood on the rail
seat; Towle lowered in her immediate
vicinity; Jack was watching the reced-
ing shore. Presently the child,s voice
rose in a cry that wa almost a scream:
Look, papai There comes Maxi"
Down the slope toward the water
bounded the big Newfoundland. Rush.
ing through the little party that had
just left the landing, the dog brought
up with a mighty effort on the very
edge of the wharf.
Jack, jumping up on the rail seat,
waved both hands and shouted: Good
by, old fellowi Good-by, Maxi"
But Max misinterpreted the gesture.
Prompt in obedience to the supposed
he jumped into the water and
out in the wake OF the boat
1t was not under much Roadway yet
but Max could make but a o show
ing in the race. Jack became very
nervous He scarcely knew whether
Max was swimming or drowning.
Cant we stop the boat7" he asked.
"0h, no." said his father. .Max win
get tired in a minute and make for the
Towle leaned over the stern and called
to the dog to go back. but Max took ii
al for encouragement, and swan on
steadily. The boat as steadily gained
On him The channel was widening
now, and Max evidently had no inten.
ton of abandoning the race.
Everyone on the boat presently be-
came much excited. and beginning with
sympathy for Little Jack. ended IN the
deepest anxiety as to the fate of the dog.
Jack was stil standing beside the girl
who was making no effort to hide the /
sxeitement that was taking possession
her. Jacks father stosd Just behind
2 light hand on his child's shout /,
aers Towle was not fsx away. II