The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-02-25
LOVE LEVELS ALL.

dressed u a handsome. bread shouldered
young fellow il tlannois, who was fas-
tenins a boat up to the steps.
AS the young man did not reply the
girl repeated her question.
Can you tell me, please, if this is
the farry:'
Then he looked hastily around. and
as there was nobody else i'll sight he
seemed to come to the conclusion that
ne was the one to whom the lady was
speaking.
Il beg vour PARDON. he said. II did
not know that you We're addressing NE.
This is T~wickenham ferry
THANK yCu,' responded the girl.
"And will you be good enough to ferry
me over
with pleasure, was the reply. and,
stepping forward, he assisted her into
the boat. showed Off and commenced
s~culling across the river.
When they had arrived at the opposite
bank and as the young lady vas being
assisted out, she asked:
How much do l owe you. please::"
The ferrynan turned rather red and
hesitared for a few moments before he
replied:
The fare is a penny, but you had
better pay when you come back.
Il am afraid l shall have to. replied
the fair girl, looking in her purse. ''for
l have nothing less than a shilling"
shall l expect you down this after
noon for IA row. inquired the young
man.
Very rrobably-I think 50. By the
bye. what's Your anne Whose boat
shall l ask for
My name is John, hut my friends
usually call me Jack
Very we'll, John. | shall be at the
landing place about half past g. And
she walked away with that grace and
vicor which are inseparable from a girl
who has been brought up in the fresh
air and athletic surroundings OF a coun-
Try life.
The half hour had barely struck when
the young lady made her appearance at
Tie ferry. Jack was waiting for her,
and without any less of time they go,
ahoat and started up the river.
This was a memorable day with Ger
aldine. for it was her first introduction
TO the "silvery Thames" and as she
leaned back Oh the cushions in the stern
sheets the ripple OF the water and the
songs Of the birds combined with the
rhythmic sound of the boatnlan's scull.
to make sweet music. which she enjoy.
ed in silence until they arrived opposite
Pope's villa. which Jack duly pointed
out.
"A grand poet,' exclaimed Gerald
inc, with enthusiasm.
Much overrated,' answered Jack
His brain was as crooked as his fig
ire"
You have been misinformed, oh
served Geraldine. "Of course you have
not read his 'lIiad.' 1t is o a bool
that would appeal to you. But
"Oh, yes, l have" interrupted Jack
And his Odyssey too. But l would
rather read n canto from 'Childe Har
old than the whole Of Pope's works."
This led to a disputatious argument
in which Geraldine lost her temper ant
was rude enough to say:
You are evidently an exemplifica
ton Of the old saying that "a littl
learning is a dangerous thing"
well, I'm bothered" exclaimed
Jack, with a satirical smile, 'if tina
isn't a little too bad. For if there wa
one thing that l was supposed to be goot
at next to rowing it was Greek"
You seem to be very we'll educated
for your position in life," remarked
Geraldine.
"Oh, l don't know answered Jack
and he added quickly: 1.-The free libra
ries are so convenient, you know. But
might return the compliment and sa,
that you seem very well read for
young lady"
When they returned to the ferry
Geraldine extracted her purse, but, a:
she was taking out the money, Jacl
said, pointing to Hammerton, the ferry
man:
That is the person to pay, please. ]
am not allowed to take any money"
When the young lady was out ol
sight, Jack said quietly to the boatman
Don't forget, Dick, if she should
happen to make any inquiries that I am
only N Of your assistants"
"All right, sir, answered Dick, with
a knowing look. II won't forget"
For the next month Geraldine went
on the river every fine day, sometimes
i'll the morning, sometimes in the after.
noon, and these boating expeditions
were extended OF many occasions up the
stream to Kingston, Molesey and Sun
bury, and many an argument they had
On literature and art-for as a rule their
opinions Oh these subjects were diamet-
rically opposite-as they drifted down
homeward bound.
One afternoon they were returning
down the river when the conversation
turned upon the wedding of a lady Of
property in the neighborhood, who had
recently married her coachman.
Poor, unfortunate womann" ex-
claimed Geraldine. "How bitterly she
will regret it'll"
why should she:' inquired Jack.
Because happiness is impossible
with such an i'll assorted match"
How do You know they are i'll as.