The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-09-02
A STEAMBOAT STORY.
BY MATTHEW WHITE, il.
I'M OW, Clinton, are you quite sure
~ you've understood all my di-

IN you've understood all my di-
rectons?'
And Mr.. Joy looked a trifie anxious
as he kissed his daughter and wrung
his sons hand.
"Yes, sir. You know we went with
you last summer, and besides, as we go
on the boat, we won't have to change
cars
"Oh, you'll get along all right with
such sharp reasoning as that" laughed
his father.
to business.
The present occasion was an i'm
rortant one in the Joy family, for it was
TO signalize the first venturing abroad
by themselves of 13-years-old Clinton
and his younger sister Daisy.
They had been invited to spend week
with their grandmother near the sea-
shore, and as Mrs. Joy was an invalid,
and her husband happened just at the
time to be very busy at his office, it was
finally decided that the children might
safely be trusted to take care of them
selves for the 80 miles.
They were, of course, highly de-
lighted with this arrangement, and
when they were ut last actually in the
street car, on the way to the boat. they
both felt very important.
Il wonder how many adventures we'll
have" said Daisy, as she sat or the very
edge of the seat in order to have her
fee: touch the floor.
"Oh, you mustn't talk about or look
Tor EN-" replied her more practical
brother, cor we won't have any at all!"
All went smoothly until they reached
the pier, where Daisy was seized with
mortal terror of passing the score or
more of wagons and trucks that were
continually coming and going, and
blocked the way.
"Oh, Clint" she cried. "Just see
that horrid big horse, with the muzzle
on his mouth! I'm sure if he bites, he'll
kick, too, and how will we ever get by
him."
Her brothers only response was to
bravely lead the way, fourishing his
umbrella threateningly, and, after
squeezing between greasy hubs and un-
Ger several tailboards, they finally man
aged to board the May Queen, which
was the romantic name painted on the
paddle box of the steamboat that was
10 bear them across the bay to Sun
SIDE. All their baggage had been sent
ny express the day before, and after the
uckets had been bought, the. young
travellers had nothing to do 9ht to sit
quietly on the after deck and keep COOL
Pretty soon the bell was heard to ring
IN the engine-room, the whistle gave a
warning shrek, the great wheels be-
gan TO revolve, and in a few moments
'ne May Queen was speeding on her
course down the harbor, and so on out
TO the bay.
IL seems as if we went almost as fast
as the Steam cars" remarked Daisy, as
Bic watched the foaming water dash
oai from behind the wheels But, oh {!
"hat was that?' as sudden jar was
followed By the stoppage of the en-
gine
huess we must have run off the
.aek' responded her brother, laugh
ing'y.
But when he heard the rush of feet
IN the cabin and the loud shouts of
captain and pilot the smile quickly
FACED away, and he put his arm around
Dalsy, as if determined to protect her
first of all.
ihe boats snapped her shaft in
TWO! cried an excited-looking man, as
ne rushed out of the cabin toward a
'aoy and gentleman he had left a few
minutes before.
oh, please tell ME what that means.
are we going to sink?"
ana Daisy ran across the deck to find
out all about it.
hinton followed her, and with much
interest heard it explained that the
shaft was the sort of axle that turned
.ie wheels, and under which he had
BOARD, "a