The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-01-19
The S0ISCy RegQfI0.

Mr.. Richard Davis a married man
with family, had lately retired from
business upon a substantial compe-
tency. Office life had given him no
opportunity of developing his muscles.
He looked frail figure as, steadying
his boat under the shade of tree,
he once more summed up the points
upon his fingers. Shall l settle,
here, in Salsey?" he reflected. 1.-THE
town seems pleasant enough. The
house! 1t is somewhat small: but
the garden borders upon the river ex-
actly as | want it. The schools!
Everybody says that l could not do
better for the children. There re-
mains the river to be considered. And
that Mr.. Davis looked round with a
peculiarly critical glance THAT
ought to do. There is not too much
current for what | shall want.
Yes, I'll settle in Salsey."
Mr.. Davis had a fixed intention to
devote himself to a certain aquatic
hobby. 1t would keep him in the open
air, while filing up his time and pro-
viding him with amusement AYE!
and it won't be half such hard work
as handling these sculls," he reflected
to himself, whilst rowing on. The
pleasures of anticipation kept Mr.
Davis company till he stepped from
the boat upon the wharf of Bonsors
boatyard.
Il have had it out for an hour and a
half?' said he. mterrogatively.
The waterman referred to a memo
Itsy,, GSNTsv,n-No,nA II, H.
replied.
There you are said the stranger,
taking the money from a purse.
When Bonsors is not busy it
gossips. Mr.. Davis YIELDED himself to
the atmosphere Of the place, sitting
himself down upon a wooden trestle
to watch and listen. Five minutes
passed
Ere they GOMEZ" said the water
man, admiringly Now, mister, you'll
see i'm 'e's coGchin' EN- to-day
ready for the regatta"
The sharp nose OF a racing boat had
just appeared under the central arch
of the gray bridge. Scarcely a sec
ond elapsed before an eight-oar came
into full view with a splendid vigor
of back and blade. Steering by the
boundary walls and gardens of the
reached, the Town eight travelled rap
idly toward the boat yard with a
rhythmic rise and fall of its green and
white jerseys.
Easy all" the coxswain shouted.
His voice was manly and authoritative
In an instant the powerful clock.
clock of the oars ceased, their blades
floated fatty upon the surface Of the
dark green water; and the boat,
steadying of its tbgohs, Kissed slowly
into rest alongside the yard.
Edward Foster the coXswain, who
now stepped ashore, was an old
Blue" and president of the Salsey
Rowing Club.
The Londoner eyed the local cele-
brity ali over, taking in the green cap,
the green blazer and the short flannel
breeches reaching just above the
knee, Il wouldn't especially care to
fail foul of him." ne remarked, after
pause.
81 shouldn't think you would" the
waterman replied, glancing with a
scarcely concealed disdain at the
whippety figure of the Londoner.
iJOAAoOl lS Dy d 1dlG
running, first through an open space,
where Salsey's outdoor entertain
ments-such as circuses-are held,
and afterward between high brick
walls to the gate of the boatyard.
Some weeks after the conversation re.
corded above, a bathchair was being
drawn along this lane by a boy in
buttons. Its occupant was a young
lady-a cripple for life. Her ap.
proach was not noticed till she enter
ed the gate of the bCatyard. Then
there was an immediate stir among
the watermen, and one ran forward.
Yes" said the young lady; tell my
brother that l am here, please
If Edward Foster, with his physical
strength and popularity, was OCCASION
ally dictatorial with people, ne was
never so with his sister Pulling on
his blazer he descended the ladder.
A few seconds later Edward Foster
had gathered his sister tenderly up in
his arms and was carrying her to the
boat. 1t was a feat of strength that
the yard liked to see.
The environs of Salsey were soon
left behind and the brother and sister
found themselves meandering with
the river through some flat green
meadows.
The invalid did not talk much.
Lazy rowing, warmth and the occa-
sional pauses here and there for a
flower, made the president of Salsey
Rowing Club grow drowsy. His eye
began to watch the smooth, oily flow
of the current, his ear to listen to the
water ripping under the keel. Fringes
of feathery reeds appeared on either
bank. Soon the meadows were hid
den, and the river was twisting and
turning with the short reaches to-
ward the green-gray bulk of distant
wood. Suddenly there was a noise
a strange mixture of rattle and splash;
and a man seated upon an object like
a cumbersome tricycle. came swistly
round a curve of the river. There
was just time for Edward Foster to
unship his left scull.
Sorry Sorry!" said the stranger,
spasmodically.
The president of the Salsey Rowing
Club had no sympathy with the
muscle-saving machines. They appear
ed unmanly to him. For q moment
he was dumb with Indignation at the
peril to which his sister had been ex-
posed. Then he bla2ed out;
"Sorry-are you? You ought to be.
/ have head complaints Of you before,
sir. You're a nuisance upon the
river"
The stranger seer ed taken aback.
He stared, making no reply.
Take my advice!" the president
added grimly. Learn how to row
like a man instead of treading away
like an old woman at a sewing
machine. You'll save yourself from
getting into trouble with the law. II