Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1899-11-23
CHAPTER l.
I,hn Einn RnN

events IN llte, that becomes rate WhlCH
at first was merely choice; but rather
to show how, by remarkable COM
bination of circumstances ito a great
extent beyond my own control, ! was
involved In a series of perils and per-
ordinations, such as rarely fall to the
lot even of those who have the most
Sestiess of dispositions.
That my temperament was, and is
STILL something of this nature, | 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
lonsings and airy fancies for greater
achievements than our periodical re-
gatta or the ranks of our Elton Rifle
Volunteer Corps We're likely TO afford,
although deemed myself by no means
an undistinguished member OF the lat
ter.
Existence" says 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 10 at
tain amid crowd of competitors
would make me feel all the glory of
life"
With such vague ideas floating be-
fore me, | 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-
tession | should adopt.
My father, as before, urged Kings
College as proper preparation for any
profession.
My mother hinted 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 castigator of the
| Spaniards, in full bob-wig and white
satin breeches, boarding the leading
ship of the Caracca fleet amid whirl-
wind of torn rigging, smoke, and car
non balls forming a background ~ no
means hilarious.
! But my father rech ploned this. J
was already iar too old for the tlpae al
| which the navy Is entares. &c wit, the
mature years of thirteen.
Then my Aunt Etty, who still curled
her hair In the fashion of thirty years
ago, recommended the army with i
pensive air; for she had been engaged
/ 10 a young sub, who was killed at
must not say where. for 1t was a great
many years ago, and Aunt Etty Is un-
married still; but her views. though
warmly seconded by sisters Dot and
| 5ybil (who saw military balls and pic
nics In perspective). did not accord
with mine, for / had spent two years
Or more In our Fton rife corps, ane
the monotony OF the drill especially
that boring curriculum of Hythe posi-
ton q went through the musketrs
class), worried me, as | willfully deem
ed myself able to sight my weapon ant
bring down either a Frenchman or {
pheasant without It
AT Aunt Etty's suggestion my faith
sr would shake his white head and say
quoting the author Of Eeclesastfcus
"'There are two things which griey,
my heart to see; man of war tina
suffereth from poverty, and men 0
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 trembled at this suggestion, a
mt anaprd xuffh INV ,,,y,,
views in any way, and so month
passed ifly away
! missed the manly amusements o
Eton and the hilarity of my class fel
lows; and though loving well my hom
and family, when the novelty of my re
turn and OF perfect freedom passe
away, / longed for a change OF scene
stirring occupation-an active EN-
ployment,
Is destiny stronger than intention
/ should hope not; yet for a time
was almost inclined to think so. afte
the terrible episode by which | wa
suddenly torn from my home and cas-
upon that world which, hitherto. | ha
viewed through the sunny medium G
my day dreams and romances alone
Two miles from the Reetory is tn
village or small seaport of Erlesmer,
One of the leading features in tn
Usher village of Erlesmere Is a littl
public house. at the Ivy -colored pore
of which a group of burly weather
beaten fellows in long boots. stripe
shirts, and red nighteaps, and cor
stantly smoking, drinking and "tal
Ing squints to seaward9 through a
old battered telescope, served roun
with spun yarn. Near 1t is a sma
dock yard, where their boats are bull
tarred and painted and where a pass
Ing coaster may have a trivial repa
effected, and occasionally be hoy
down.
1t happened, only last year. that
. small Dutch schooner of some fift
tons was laid down on the gridiron
Erlesmere dock for the purpose of b.
ing repaired. This was an event
some Importance, and the whole nal
teal population cheerfully lent a har
) In unloading her, and securing the ca
} go, which consisted of apples and TIE
r gou cheeses; while her skipper. Car
2eeryogel, and the six men who con