Audubon Republican., 1897-09-30
tx, Max and the
X Pretty Priscilla.
FRANKLIN TRUESDELL.
Copyright. Iso7.l
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., well-dressed men, both still
ag, though one was few years
til or of his friend, stood near
stero ut landing ON the Sound one
SUI morning, watching the roust-
.abche caf ansferring freight from the
.sho.ard a 4e deck of the craft on which
they about to take passage.
The Seem of the two, who had been
.conti stove boxing about in an expect
ant s uddenly called out: Here
you d cer'al asst, old fellow. What in
the for tn IS kept you?"
Iuan,ag poiseg 'G~dfp eludug nm ain pay Ja
full sthing Is to impede his progress,
a lit..ou ~, infant five years of age,
who ~ w. perfect picture of rugged
healthely 10 childish beauty, His hat,
per yo on his head formed o%sn
hair, get the hither and thither as his
sturdy be bolegs sped down the gravel
slope. round, happy face glowcd
in the M tning air, and his eyes spark
led withill-suppressed excitement.
''oh, pI pal" he began, before he had
quite recovered his breath. 81 have had
such time with Maxi"
Il was beginning to fear he had made
a breakfast of you," was the fathers
answer, as the child slipped one little
hand in :.
''He might try, if he could get at me
now," rejoned the little fellow. 'But
hes safe enough in one of the store
rooms, if some one don't let him out"
But at tlat moment the steamboat
gave shriI whistle, and Jack, walking
Between his father and his fathers
friend, turLed to go on board the boat.
Among the passengers assembled on
the upper deck stood little girl of more
than ordinary attractiveness. She was
just passing that line of life on one
side of which people write ''girl' and
on the other young lady" She at
tracted not 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 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 eau
ton: Now, do be careful, Priscilla"
Already the time for casting off the
moorings had passed. The captain was
vigorously ordering about the deck
hands and confusion reigned. The
pretty girl stood up on seat to get
clear of line that was being hauled in,
still talking with her friend on shore.
pretty as 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 was almost scream:
Look, papa! 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 fellow! Good-by, Maxi"
But Max misinterpreted the gesture.
Prompt in obedience to the supposed
signal, he jumped into the water and
struck out in the wake of the boat.
1t was not under much headway vet,
but Max could make but poor show
ing in the race. Jack became very
nervous. He scarcely knew whether
Max was swimming or drowning.
Cant we stop the boat?" he asked.
"Oh, no." said his father. "Max will
get tired in a minute and make for the
shore"
Towle leaned over the stern and called
to the dog to go back, but Max took it
all for encouragement, and swan on
steadily. The boat as steadily gained
on him. The channel was widening
now, and Max evidently had no inten-
tion 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 still standing beside the girl,
who was making no effort to hide the
excitement that was taking possession
of her. Jacks father stood just behind
with light hand on his child's shoul-
der. Towie was not far away.