Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-30
THE CRUISE
OF
The !" White Dove. 2"
By CHARLES MonEAu HARaEn.

For days, almost for weeks. the slow
approach of the laborers had been
watched. First, just above the hori-
son, then creeping across the Level
plain-it seemed that they would
never come.
Rob, Tad and roly-poly Link stood
in line, gazing curiously as the WELD
ers of pick and shovel crossed the
boundary of the farm.
want ride, bubs?" called one OF
the men, motoning toward the fiat
push car standing on the newly laid
track.
Course we do" and the three boys
soon sat on the long car, their six
bare brown legs hanging off, while
the men trundled them along the track
toward the piles of rails and ties.
That was the beginning. The men
stayed for a long time OH the Man
gold claim. for there were along the
creek bluffs and hills to work through.
The boys fairly lived beside the track
and pushed the now little used fiat car
back and forth enjoying the novel
plaything.
"Wish we had an engine re-
marked Tad one summer day. gazing
away to the north; ''its such hard work
pushing"
There were no grades on the line
from the bluffs northward and the
boys richly earned all the rides they
secured.
Rob, wide-hatted and brown
checked lad OF II. had and idea. Per-
haps it came because of the seafaring
ancestors back in Maine, the familys
native state.
Il knew" he exclaimed; lets put
up sail"'
\ shout arose from the trio and
council was held as they sat on the
edge of the battered car platform.
what can we make it of and where
can we get it," asked Tad, rather in
definitely.
Rob thought minute. Then he
whispered something To the others
and a series Of chuckles and leg-slap-
pings followed. The three hurried
through the prairie grass homeward.
Father had gone to the county-seat
town 2e miles away; mother was
patiently finishing the weeks ironing
in the summer kitchen.
Cautiously Rob led the way to the
little implanted granary where were
kept the implements and tools belong
ing TO the farm. Over the plows and
binders he crawled until he came to II
pile o. brown sacks-lOng, clOse-woven
and soled. When the sheep We're
sheered in the spring the tleeces were
packed in such receptacles, trampled
down by Rob's bare feet. \ few of
the sacks had been left and We're
tossed ON the granary floor, forming
one of the favorite resting places of
the three boys.
Just the thing" declared Rob. hold
ing one high in the air, and when Tad
had joined him they quickly ripped
and stitched and had before them
several large squares of bagging.
Now for a mast" Nothing is quite
go scarce on the prairie claim, long
miles from a lumber yard, as II stick
of timber. But the granary itself was
a resource. Climbing among the raft
ers, kob found long narrow board
which he thought would do and could
be spared. Down it came Gathering
to the floor.
Days of labor followed before the
sail was completed. With picture
from a magazine as a guide. with some
cord and wire for fastenings, Rob
measured and sewed and dreamed of
the sea. almost making himself be-
lieve that he was to guide an obedicnt
sloop over blue waters.
When it was ready he lifted the odd
apparatus against the granary wall.
There were three timbers-thc up
right mast and the crosspieces hold
ing the big and nearly square sail.
Wen call II the White Dove" an
nounced Rob.
But IL amt white" protested Tad
''Neyer mind-that was the name
OF grandpa's boat and he.sailed To the
Newfoundland banks In it,
so the white Dove il was. Next
was Ia come the launching.
The hills and curve in the rail
road made opportunity for the young
navigator. One day. when father was
again in town. they toiled toward the
track Rob burdened with the sail
rolled tight and Tad lahorIously drag
ging the timbers,
Up and dawn the track they looked
to the southwest IL wound into the
buifs where The men were making the
dirt tiy; To the north II stretched away
until il was lost IN the shimmerlng
haze Of the horizon.
quick. Tad. bring II OH" were Capt
i.oh's orders. and the equipment of the
land sloop began. The task was more
difiicult than they had thought, but
patiently they lahorei and contriyed.
all the time forgetful of their suffer.
Tugs or of the danger Of being dis
covered.
Little Link had been left behind
Big tears made white paths through