The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-11-23
CHAPTER 1
The Eton Bow.

SNthts III Ire, ludl ueCOIHoS ldlS WuiSh
at first was merely choice; but rather
to show how, by a remarkable COM
bination of circumstances Ito great
extent beyond my own controD, | was
involved in a series of perils and per-
ordinations, such as rarely fall to the
lot even of those who have the most
restless of dispositions.
That my temperament was, and is
still, something of this nature, l must
confess; and the reading of my leisure
hours-books of wild adventure by field
and flood Il have devoured them all
from the volumes of dear old Daniel
Defoe, to those OF the Railway Lii
brary)-filled my mind with vague
longlngs and airy fancies for greater
achievements than our periodical re-
gatta or the ranks OF our Elton Rife
Volunteer Corps were likely to afford,
although deemed myself by no means
an undistinguished member of the lat
ter.
Existence says a certain writer
appears to me scarcely existence
without its struggles and its successes.
| should ever like to have some great
end before me, for the striving to at
tain amid crowd of competitors
would make me feel all the glory of
life"
With such vague ideas floating be-
fore me, l returned from Elton last
year, and found myself at my fathers
house, the old and secluded rectory of
Erlesmere, in very undecided frame
of mind as to the future, and the pro-
| fession l should adopt
My father, as before. urged Kings
College as proper preparation for any
profession.
| My mother limited that our name had
shone in the navy, and east a glance
| at a large portrait which hung in the
dining room. 1t represented George
Lord Rodney, the eastigator of the
Spaniards, in full bob-wig and white
| satin breaches, boarding the leading
ship Of the Caracca fleet amid whirl-
wind of torn rigging. smoke and can
non balls, forming a background by nc
means hilarious.
But my father pooh-poohed this.
was already far too old for the time al
which the navy is entered-to-wit, the
mature years Of thirteen.
Then my Aunt Etty, who still curleC
her hair in the fashion of thirty year:
ago, recommended the army with
pensive air; for she had been engaged
to a young sub, who was killed at
must not say where. for it was grea
many years ago, and Aunt Etty is un
married still; but her views. though
warmly seconded by sisters Dot ant
Sybil (who saw military balls and pic
mics in perspectiye). did not accorC
with mine, for | had spent two year
or more in our Elton rifle corps, AM
the monotony of the drill-especiall,
that boring curriculum of Hythe posi-
ton Il went through the musketr,
class. worried me. as l wilIfully deem
ed myself able to sight my weapon am
bring down either a Frenchman or
pheasant without IT,
At Aunt Etty's suggestion. my faith
err would shake his white head and say
quoting the author of Ecelesiasticus
There are two things which griev
my heart to see; man of war tina
suffereth from poverty, and men .
understanding that are not set by tn
sword Etty, is but poor inheritance
better send Dick to the counting hous
OF his uncle, Rodney & Co.. in Lon
dom"
But l trembled at this suggestion. a
it did not accord with my own brillian
views in any way. and so month
passed idly away
| missed the manly amusements {
Elton and the hilarity of my elass-fel
lows: and though loving we'll my HON
and family, when the novelty of my re
turn and Of perfect freedom passe
away, longed for change of scene
: stirring occupation-an active en-
! ployment.
. Is destiny stronger than intention
; l should hope not yet for a time
was almost inclined to think SO. aft,
the terrible episode by which | W,
suddenly torn from my home and ca
upon that world which hitherto. | hs
viewed through the sunny medium
my day dreams and romances alone.
: Two miles from the Reetory is n
: village or small seaport of Erlesmer
3 One of the leading features in Il
! Rsher-village of Erlesmere is a lit
public house, at the ivy-colored nor,
Of which group Of burly weathe
beaten fellows in long boots. strip,
u shirts, and red nightcaps. and co
stantly smoking, drinking and ia
!, ing sQuints to seward through
n Did battered telescope. served" rou
with spun yarn Near it is a SIN,
dock yard. where their boats are bui
tarred and painted. and where a pa:
ing coaster may have trivial rep,
Sc effected, and occasionally be no
down.
he II happened. only last year, that
III small Dutch schooner Of some I'll
In tons was laid down on the gridiron
he Erlesmere dock for the purpose Of
az ing repaired. This was an event
q some Importance. and the whole ns
4 tical population eheerfully lent a la
IN unloading her, and securing the q
y 90. which consisted OF apples and T
% gou cheeSes; while her skipper. Ca
&c Zeervogel. and the six men who co
sc posed her crew. became for the ii
the lions and oracles Of the smoki
ar. room and porch Of the uncovered L
ie- ern, where it was taeitly agreed Il
a. nothing could be said about Lord d.
!. can, or the licking he gave tn
j Dutch uhbers on the Texel." in
Z, grandtathers' days
had never seen a Dutch craft