Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1900-01-09
CHAPTER I.
The Elton Boy.

ne hbQA DOys
In the relation of the following adj
ventures / do not mean to illustrate the
principle maintained by some writer's
that, by an inevitable course of
events in life, that becomes fate which
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, I must
confess; and the reading of my leisure
hours-books OF wild adventure by field
and flood q have devoured them all
from the volumes of dear old Daniel
Defoe, to those of the Railway Lii
brary)-filled my mind with vague
longings 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 I 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 it's 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 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 cast a glance
! at 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 CaTacca fleet amid whirl-
wind of torn rigging smoke. and can.
non balls, forming a background = 40
means hilarious.
But my father = NJ lJo4Aed this. !
was alrees- i-.f too old for the t.,e7 az
which the navy Is antoIe 80 wit, the
mature years uf thirteen.
Then my Aunt Etty, who still curled
her hair in the fashion of thirty years
ago. recommended the army with a
pensive air; for she had been engaged
| A. y, It'll Y
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
Sybil (who saw military balls and pic
MICS In perspectivel, did not accord
with mine. for I had spent two years
or more in our Elton rife corps, and
the monotony of the drill-especially
that boring curriculum of Hythe posi-
tion Il went through the musketry
class, worried me. as willfully deem
ed myself able to sight my weapon and
bring down either Frenchman or 9
pheasant without IT.
At Aunt Etty's suggestion, my faith.
err would shake his white head and say
quoting the author of Ecclesiastfcus:
There are two things which grfevt
my heart to see; a man of war thai
suffereth from poverty, and men o.
understanding that are not set by. The
sword, Etty, is but a poor inheritance
better send Dick to the counting hous,
of his uncle, Rodney & Co.. in Lon
DON"
But / trembled at this suggestion, al
it did not accord with my own brillian
views in any way, and so months
passed idly away.
I missed the manly amusements 0
Elton 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
a stirring occupation-an active EN-
!. ployment.
. Is destiny stronger than intention
| should hope not: yet for 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 q
, my day dreams and romances alone.
Two miles from the Reetory is tn
village or small seaport of Erlesmere
One OF the leading features in tn
! fsher-village of Erlesmere is a littl
: public house. at the ivy-colored pore
i of which group of burly weather
. beaten fellows in long boots, stripe
) shirts, and red nightcaps, and con
j stantly smoking, drinking and TAX
ing squints to seward" through a
old battered telescope. Served" roun
with spun yarn. Near it liz a sma
dock yard, where their boats are bull
tarred and painted, and where a pass
ing coaster may have a trivial repai
: effected, and occasionally be hoy
9 down.
Q It happened, only last year, that
Q small Dutch schooner Of some fit
9 tons was laid down on the gridiron 8
!, Erlesmere dock for the purpose of be
/