Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-11-10
CHAPTEp L

CHATTER l.
men W as fourteen years of age my
i''her gave Inc boat. She was an open
"oa, about eighteen feet long. easily man
as'n oy one person; and, proud of my new
spent the greater part of what
time had TO spare during tbe next few
months ahpat, generally alone. One
morning. when brisk westerly breeze
sent me along. wet but gloriously happy.
under jib and fOresail, | saw A small
ged yacht stretching in to-
"ard shore on long winning tack A
9'ch', oeins always an object of curiosity
ana pleasure TO me, and, besides, not very
"''en seen off the North Devon coast, |
went about, and bea. down as near to her
a. could As | flew past her. admiring
ner white sails, tapering spars and beau
ufu lines. some one on deck hailed me,
asking If could get alongside l got up
TO windward, took down my easily manag-
ed sails. put out pair of sculls. and in a
few minutes had hold of rope thrown
from the yacht. Two gentlemen looked
over the side and spoke to me, as l kept
my boat at respectful distance from
their craft.
"Can We get ashore there?" asked one.
pointing TO the bay.
Yes; very well,' l replied.
I'VE want to put a sick friend ashore
He insists upon leaving us" Here the
two men laughed heartily.
81 will take him, if he can get on
board" l said.
Thanks, you are very kind. Now, Dun
stable" said one, turning inbOard, ''tum-
bic up; deliyerance is at hand"'
In a short time face appeared beside
them. 1t was the picture of abject mis-
orr zif In. in
But With all his suffering Mr.. Dunstabie
still valued life.
as it safef" he gasped-"such n sea.
such a small boat-and only lad to man
age it! You two fellows might come with
me; be good d-natured, and see NE safe on
dry End againV'
They laughed at his piteous appeal. Il
don't mind" said the younger one, II
Roth We'll likes to come. Ii our young
friend will put us off again. / shouldn
mind going with you and seeing You on
the right way home"
Rotihwell consented. They gave their
captain instructions to stand off and Oh
until they signaled him. thcn ! drew the
boat lose alongside, and, watching their
chance, they bundled IN Mr.. Dunstable.
who Immediately subs lei-a breathing.
but inanimate mass of matter. in the stern
sheets, Jumped in after him. huisted sail,
End away We went.
1t was not until we Iian into the jt,e
sandy bay, where, at tide expense of WI
set, We drew my boat up, and 6cted
. nss,'s.cA,c : zss-'li13 l1rit is -rec7--'. d at
was able to find timSsto look propST&y at
my passengers They were both good
looking men, bronzed with wind and sun
Both wore serviceable yachting suits,
meant for work and comfort, not show.
Even with my contracted knowledge |
realized they were gentlemen. The elder
may have been about forty-hve years e
age lis friend some ten years younger.
Mr. Dunstable | do not attempt 10 de
scribe, rs il would be unfair under his
present disadvantageVus circumstances.
The poor man was still almost without
life OF motion. Mr.. Dunstable's friends
told me they had left Ifracombe early
that morning for a run up the channel.
The sea had risen since they had started,
and the poor ge.ntleman's suffsrings had
been so acute that he had begged, even
commanded, that they should land him at
the first place they could. no matter
where. or how far from civilization.
And now" said the elder of the two,
whose name | knew was RUthwell,
'.what', to be done? Dunstable isn't in
walking trim. Can we get a conveyance
anywhereF
When l was on the sea, with the tiller
n my hand, | felt almost man, and
spoke accordingly. Now, on shore, | was
a shy boy again; but l managed to tell
them they were three miles from the main
mad Farmer Lee, our nearest neighbor,
who owned such a thing as gig. lived
sbout four miles or. They heard my news
with dismay.
There must be some way out of this
said Mr.. ROthwell. How do they get
to the house just aboveT
The mention of our house reminded me
of the rights of hospitality. That is our
bouse. | said, but there is no road TO it,
only bride path, if you wouldn't mind
coming up to it. Mr.. Dunstable can lie
down for an hour or two and getter bet
fer, then he can have my pony, and will
show him the way to go.
Feeling quite proud of my unexpected
CHESTS. | turned up the valley. They
each gave Dunstable an arm and follow
cd me. As we neared the house the elder
said: "You had better know what names
To present us to your father by-mine is
Roth web"
"An1 mine is Stanton" said his COM
nanicn, "and this is Mr.. Dunstable of the
Albany, a very amusing, high-spirited
gentleman when quite himself"
My name is Norris" said, seeing that
they looked at me inquiringly.
| conducted them to our house, sum-
mone.1 the housekeepcr, and placed Mr..
Dunstable under her care to show him to
a room where he could lie down and sleep
away his sufferings. My father was, as
usual, in his library. l begged my guests
10 be seated and | would call him. be
=. ff1.aI r,..l a
he entered. / just began: This is Mr.
Rothwell and Mr. Stanton, who" when
the former gentleman stepped quickly for
ward, with signs of great astnnishmeIf
on his face, and both his hands extended
toward my father.
Your heard him say as he crossed
The room. "You, of all people, in this
lonely placel How l have sought you for
ears and years.
nv father betrayed no sign of rec
on. ne drew himself up to his fun
nj and moved neither hand nor foot.
he I surprise caused by his visitors
strange greeting soon faded from his face
and was succeeded by faint smile.
You are mistaking me for some one
else. / think" he said. calmly.
Mr.. RothweA appeared quite staggered
by his reply. He looked my father full in
the face for a couple of seconds Il can
not be mistaken: you are greatly changed,
It is true; but it is so long since we hav.
metl You are, you must be, the man |
meant But do you not remember me? Do
you not know me? l am Rothwell."
Ny father made courtly bow Il knew
Lord RothweH by name and by his clever
books of travel, and am pleased to see so
H"'nous a person beneath my roof.
D.l.h well looked very dissatisfied