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

sion - oaeo1eu-ncekfS HHo 'ue
would not hear of giving it up.
Il soon appeared, however, that
what ~ had called promontory
was II reality another island, and
that he only structures upon 1t
were j cluster OF farm buildings
near tie centre, and at one exlremi-
~ the lighthouse--the very aone
which bad been such modification
to the spirit of Mrs. Bump.
The land on the further side de-
scended abruptly to pebbly beach,
of which solitary sloop lay at an
Choir. The shore Of the mainland,
opposite that side was heavily wood.
ed with pine trees, and no buildings
of any sort were visible on it.
at does beat allln said Deacon.
Bump again. tive heard of mir
ages in the desert, but never knew
anything about mirage meeting
houses before
When the calvacadc had reiraced
its steps it became evident that the
tide, instead of rising, had been run
ming out, and their craft looked like
a miniature Noal's Ark after the
Deluge had subsidized.
The combined efforts oft unfor-
tunate family failed to start II; in
deed, the more franticslly they push
ed the deeper the stern seemed to
imbed itself in the sand.
At the moment when affairs seem.
ed hopeless, a small boy, with clam
digging apparatus materialized be-
fore them, and after some scornful
giggling sang out, II say, Mister,
why don't yer ship yer rudder 7"
With the small boys advice and
assistance the Bumps were finally
launched, and reached their destina-
tion without further adventure.
The deacon would ordinarily have
administered lecture on Sabbath
dissertation to the young clsm-dig-
ger, but as under the circumstances
he could not regret that the boy had
yielded to temptation on that par
ticular occasion, be concluded to
say nothing.
Among the smokers and loungers
that were on the dock when the
Bump family returned was the bank
president with the prodigious nose,
and he called out, good naturedly,
"What luck, Mr.. Bump?'
''None at all, returned that gen.
tleman, briefly, as he assisted bis
wife, cramped 10 every muscle, up
the steps, now slippery with rock.
weed left uncovered by the falling
tide.
"Bad time OF day for fish, any
way" remarked a callow youth from
behind an experienced-looking meer.
schaum.
The deacon turned sharply.
Fish ?" he repeated Indignantly
aYoung man, we set out to attend
divine worship at that Westinghouse
that you see the spire OF over ths
island yonder, and if we didn't make
out to do it, it wasn't our fault !"
There was a general laugh, and
the callow youth said:
"Come, now, Mr.. Bump, thai
won't do. We happen to know tha,
there isn't any Westinghouse over
that way.'
Mr.. Bump cast a whitening glance
on the speaker, and then, scornine
to reply in words, directed his crook
ed forefnger toward the mysterious
mirage which still appeared agains,
the sky.
There was momentary hush, and
| then every man on the dock slammed
bis leg and roared till be was in dan,
ger of rolling into the water.
"Why, man alive y chuckled the
first that got his breath, "that's nc
church spire. It's the top mast Of
the big sloop Bouncing Bet, that
lies at the other side of the island.'
II guess, Lucretia," said The dea
con that night, II guess if you'll
agree not to mention that will.o,
the-whisp meeting house to Darius's
folks won't speak of the fog horn,
and if we ever 60 surnmering again
| dunno but that We better try the