The Republican journal., 1899-09-07
OUR CHAPERON.


cut out for, it was to be host on such an
occasion.
He was not the owner of the boat
naturally, for a bachelor, fond OF good
living and of ease, has very little use for
craft of that nature; but be 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 out
ing, and they had unanimously accepted
the invitation; and in order to add to
the novelty OF the occasion, Templeton
had impressed his own coachman into the
service of doing the driving.
The captain went along to help them
over such difficulties as might arise, as
well as to use language suited to their
surroundings 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 apartments
therein was kept in ship shape order.
At first Captain Jack was loath to
charter his vessel; but be was influenced
10 change his mind by two considera-
tons. The first was that his craft was
new one, and was as yet unpaid for,
and the second was a check with Tenn
pletons name signed to it, which would
make the payment matter of compare
tive ease. This, added to the fact that
Templeton wanted him to go along and
keep an eye upon his beloved craft, in
duced him to consent, although he de-
INJURED slightly when Templeton an
nOunced his intention of taking his driver
along.
What the use o him?' asked Cap
tain Jack. He amt had no experience
drivin' canal boats, has hep
$40, " said Templeton. But he has
driven my brougham about New York
for two years running, and hasn't met
with an accident yet. [ guess man who
can manage team on Broadway can get
along on the Erie Canal.
But don see the captain began.
We'll, you needn't see,'' said Temple
ton. Il don't ask you to see. I'm going
TO have him whether you see or not He's
good driver, and i have confidence in
him. L NJ 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 of?" persisted
the captain.
What am afraid of?' retorted TEN
pleton. "Do you suppose I'm going to
laAe we JnaAees Oh oelhg run away WIN
on a canal boat?"
The captain laughter could have been
heard mile when Templeton said this.
"Al right he said; 'let him go.
i ny up d seat loL MN Oh the DO" IA
regular tally-ho style"
l lie captain was as Sooa as ms WORD,
ana "4en we stepped aooald Oh the
Moran j.. mere was confoflaole place
1ol US an; Wlli lne PROMISED eoachihah
9ea al, ol tHe oo".
Ne SAIGON passengers upon 'his Voy-
age consisted OF Itmplelon, balIoW,
IdIAeI' ana ihySeI; Oh MISS ha"Klns, OF
1lllSouis. MISS bronson, ana MISS KEN
lhgloh VI Ne" olk ana, TO ehapelon the
party! l1e uemuIe httle widow OF our Old
ll1enu horace lsslhgloh'
MS 1lsSlusl"u as the luedl chap-
tIoh' III tAe Hist place she was not more
man llifls years Oh age She was pretty,
am Vi d SN ee'' sunny dlSPoSl'lon-Lhou9h
SUM" i-''' severe WAeh Aer lo0 was cast a
sueu P+l-ea AS she no" 1oohH hefseH
~
'47 was EEL uAieI any circumstances,
oI9@-4ee''p5e ppt sue save every one TO
uu''elslahu, oy Lel superior manner mat
SHe -e"l'4ep 20 lHe Iuil the IeSponsloll-
~ ~ '' riie
eA"eteo rom aiI lhac recognition OF her
a0l4ol!ly "ilnout Whlch lleI ln7uence as
guy superior Woula nave oeeh aoSo-
luIely mn,
III terms sue never expressed dlsap-
PIoFa4 ol our aclS, nor old she nave much
occasion Il, 50 10 do' put 1fequently we
coulq 1eII from her demeanoI that she
NoQIo prefer tna1 "econported ourselves
WIN greater dignity ana our regard TOR
her was suG4 that nothing further VIZ
necessary we reformed on the instant,
tnouSA IL must be confessed our re1orma-
uoh was usually merely temporary.
Caaay BARROW, more often than any
OF the rest OF US, came beneath the ban
OF mel dlspleasure, and that was because
he was OF the lr1epresslble order OF man
KIND. he would sing comic songs on
unlooked-tor and inappropriate occasions,
and he had also penchant for unhitching
the little rowboat attached to the stern of
the Norah j., and in company with Miss
HAWKINS; taking a run up the canal mile
or two ahead OF us, until reaching some
hamlet on the line OF the serpentine stream,
he and his lair companion would buy up
all the rock-candy, peanuts, and all the
similar lOPCI fipS thew HOnlC find