Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-03-05

things right around them"
The Bumps being fresh-water
family, we're more accustomed to the
fat-bottomed skiff of the Connect
cut River than to craft with keel
and rudder, and though the boys, to
do them justice, really tried to steer
for the threadbare steeple, the boats
prov seldom pointed long in one
direction.
Their father buried his oars so
deeply, that, to use boating phrase,
he caught one or two "crabs,' which
doubled him up like jack-knife.
He did not allow for the tide, and,
aiming directly for the point where
he wished to land, was carried some
distance below.
He labored manfully, however, the
Precipitation streaming from everv
pore. His wife sat in constant fear,
which became terror whenever a
swell, unskilfully taken, struck the
boat broadside.
II shouldn't enjoy even DR.. Tall
IMAGES preaching after this,' she
thought II should all the time be
4
dreading the getting back
at does beat ALL" exclaimed her
husband, wiping his face on his coat
sleeve, for be dared not release his
grip on the oars "it does beat all
how distance will spin out on the
water. 1t didn't look to be third
of this way from the island.'
Bart and Ben were the only men,
bars of the expedition who we're sor.
ry when land was at last reached.
The deacon had heard of boats
which had been carried adrift by the
rising tide, and being determined to
guard against such catastrophe,
the united strength of the family
was brought into requisition, and
the craft, which was heavy one,
was dragged SO far up, that nothing
but spring tide could have even
Tapped her stern-post.
This accomplished, the exhausted
voyagers tried to make themselves
presentable.
Deacon Bumps clean linen had
wilted his efforts in securing the
boat had broken the front button.
holes of his paper collar all ves-
tiges of polish had been washed from
his boots, and his appearance SAVIOR
ed more of the tramp than of re-
spected pillar OF the church.
His partners best gown was
stained with salt water, and her hair
blown into an undignifed tangle,
while the whole family had the COM
plexion of boiled Holsters.
''No dust on us, anyhow" remark
ed Mr.. Bnmp, essaying feeble joke;
but after the scramble to the top of
the steep bluff which skirted the
beach had been accomplished, this
could no longer be said.
He had pictured to himself the
pleasing stir which the entrance of
the party would occasion in the lit
tie church. 1t was not unlikely that
they might be shown into the minis
ter's pew.
1t was possible, in case Sunday
School was held after the preaching,
that he might be asked TO make a
few remarks.
To provide for such contingency
he had tried to arrange some appro-
pirate thoughts, and had succeeded
in drawing a neat moral from the
incident Of his discovery OF the
meeting house spire which nobody
else had seen.
Now, however, be felt anxious to
take back seat and slip out as
soon IS the service closed.
To his surprise, when the bluff
was surmounted no church or steeple
was to be seen, nor did any appear
after long. hot walk across mead
ows, around fields OF corn, and over
stone walls.
The boys having found blackber.
ries, would have resigned themselves
to the disappointment With cheeriul-
ness, and their mother declared thai
she was sit to drop y but the dea.