The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-08-11
OUR CHAPERONE !
True Tale OF a Short Vacation.
By John kendrick Bangs.
THERE were a dozen souls upon the

sponsible for it, and he was quite equal
to the burden; for if there was one
thing Templeton was cut out for II was
to be host on just such an occasion. He
was not the owner of the bOat-nat-
urally; for a bachelor, fond of good
living and of ease has very little use
for craft of that nature; but he was
the sole lessee for the period of one
week, during which time he and his
seven guests, his cook, his coachman,
his butler and his man of all work
late captain of the Norah J.-cruised
along the Erie canal and enjoyed life.
He had chartered the boat from the
captain for the purpose of taking his
friends off for a novel outing, and they
had unanimously accepted the invita-
zion; and in order to add to the novelty
of the occasion Templeton had i'm
pressed his own coachman into the
service TO do the driving. The captain
went along to help them over such diff
fculties as might arise, as well as to
use language suited to their surround
ings when language became necessary.
1t was also to be the captains duty to
look after the boat and to see that
everything pertaining to the apart
ments therein was kept in shipshape
order.
At first Capt. Jack was 10th to char
ter his vessel; but he was Influenced to
change his mind by two considera-
tions. The first was that his craft was
new one and was as yet unpaid for,
and the second was a check with Tenn
pleton's name signed to it which would
make that payment a matter of com
parative ease. This, added to the fact
that Templeton wanted him to go
along and keep an eye upon his be
loved craft, induced him to consent.
although he demurred slightly when
Templeton announced his intention of
taking his driver along.
Whats the use o. him? '' asked Capt.
Jack. He amt had no experience
drivin' canalboats, have he?"
NO" said Templeton. But he has
driven my brougham about New York
FOR two years running, and hasn't met
with an accident yet. | guess a man
who can manage team on Broadway
can get along Oh the Erie canal"
But l don't see''-the captain be-
gan.
well. you needn't see" said Temple
ton. 81 don't ask you to see. I'm 60
ing to have him whether you see or
not. He's a good driver, and l have
confidence in him. I'm not going to
trust my life and the lives of my guests
TO the hands of an utterly unknown
Jehu."
But what are you afraid off" per-
sisted the captain.
what am l afraid off" retorted
Templeton. "Do you suppose I'm 60
ing to take the chance of being run
away with on a canalboat?"
The captains laughter could have
been heard for mile when Templeton
said this.
''All right" he said; 'Iet him go. I'll
rig up a seat for him on the bow in
regular tally-bo style"
The captain was as good as his word
and when we stepped aboard of the
Norah j. there was a comfortable
place for us all, with the promised
coachman's seat on the bow.
The saloon passengers upon this yoy-
age consisted of Templeton, Barlow,
Parker and myself; of Miss Hawkins,
of Pittsburgh, Miss Bronson and Miss
Remington, of New York, and, to
chaperon the party, the demure little
widow of our old friend Horace lis
sington.
Mrs. Tissington was the ideal chap
eron. In the first place she was not
more than 80 years of age. She was
pretty, and of sweet, sunny DISPOSE
tion-though somewhat severe when
her lot was cast in such places as she
now found herself. She was never
under any circumstances disagree
able; but she gave everyone to under
stand by her superior manner that she
realized to the full the responsibilities
which had devolved upon her; and she
eXacted from all that recognition of
her authority without which her infu
ence as lady superior" would have
been absolutely nil.
In terms she never expressed disap-
proval If our acts, nor did she have
much occasion so to do; but frequent
ly we could tell from her demeanor
that she would prefer that we com
ported ourselves with greater dig
nifty, and our regard for her was such
that nothing further was necessary.
We reformed on the instant, though it
must be confessed our reformation
was usually merely temporary.
Caddy Barlow, more often than any
of the rest of us, came beneath the ban
of her displcasure, and that was be-
cause he was of the irrepressible order
of mankind. He would sing comic
songs on unlooked-for and inappro-
pirate occasions, and he had also a
penchant for unhitching the little row
boat attached to the stern of the
Norah j., and, in company with Miss
Hawkins, taking run up the canal a
mile or two ahead of us, until reach
ing some hamlet on the line of the ser
pentine stream, he and his fair com
panion would buy up all the rock
candy, peanuts and all the similar in
edibles they could find.
Upon these occasions Mrs Tissing-