Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-03-30
The S0ISey Reg0I|0.

Mr.. Richard Davis a married man
with a family, had lately retired from
business upon a substantial cOmpe-
tency. Office life had given him no
opportunity of developing his muscles.
He looked a frail figure as, steadying
his boat under the shade of a tree,
he once more summed up the points
upon his fingers. Shall | settle,
here, in Salsey?" he reflected. The
town seems pleasant enough. The
housel It is somewhat small; but
the garden borders upon the river ex-
actly as | want it, The schools!
Everybody says that | could not do
better for the children. There re-
mains the river to be considered. And
that" Mr.. Davis looked round with
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. It would keep him in the open
air, while filling up his time and pro
viding him with amusement. Aye!
and IL 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 Bonsor's
bOatyard.
Il have had it out for an hour and a
half?" said he, interrogatively.
The waterman referred to memo
randum book. "Ninepence sir" he
replied.
There you are" said the stranger,
taking the money from purse.
When Bonsors is not busy 1t
gosslps 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 comel" said the water
man. admiringly Now, mister, you'll
see i'm 'e's coachin' 'em 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
white jerseys.
Easy ALI" the coxswain shouted.
His voice was manly and authoritative
In an instant the powerful "clock,
clock" of the oars ceased, their blades
hoated fatty upon the surface of the
dark green water; and the boat,
steadying of its throbs, 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 all 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
fall foul of him." he 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.
Bonsor's is approached by a lane
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. It's occupant was a young
lady-a cripple for life. Her ap-
proach was not noticed till she enter
ed the gate of the bIatyard. 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, he 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 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 fiat 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
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 we're hid
den, and the river was twisting and
turning with the short reaches to
ward the green-gray bulk of a 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 swiftly
round a curve of the river. There
was just time for Edward Foster t.
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 a mOmen
he was dumb with indignation at thu
| peril to which his sister had been ex
posed. Then he blazed out:
"SOrry--are you? You ought to be
! | have head complaints of you before
sir. You're a nuisance upon thu
river"
The stranger seer-ed taken aback
/ He stared, making no reply.
Take my advicel" the presiden
added, grimly. Learn how to row
like a man instead of treading ava.
like an old woman at a sewing
machine. You'll save yourself from
getting into trouble with the law.
you had run us down 1 should
But" the stranger interrupted
flushing warmly.
"But-what. sir?" the president ask
ed, roughly.
you we're upon the wrong side o
the river" the stranger said. simply
The president started and looke
round. An expression of chagril