New-York tribune., 1902-05-11
"THE SHIP | LOVE. y
now non AND TOME Constructed A
QUEER CRAFT.

swered Bob
They were sitting in the orchard "a boy Of ten
with a swarthy skin and a brown bullet head and
a tawny haired girl of eleven, says a writer IN
The Columbia Literary Monthly" for May. Around
them was space defined by pegs and twine, from
the midst of which the mast and sails of a
small sloOp.- An upturned box over an excavation
did duty for a cabin. and there was likewise a
wheel which communicated with the rudder IN a
dexterous manner. Sheets and cleats. flags and
compass everything which bore evidence TO the
small nautical skill of her commodore were 10
be found her.
Eut the sInburnt captain dii not appear proud Of
his vessel lie dangIed his legs into the grassy
sea and scowIvd The fact was the bos'un had
been giving him the benefit Of her superior research
and had been telling him story called treasure
Island The bos'u knew just how 10 dwell on
points which would infame his Imagination Now
had finished. and was smiling At the bay "hich
sparkled in the distance.
But Tonic gIoomed Il wish-I WISH" he said
"Oh. why won't father let US have a soop?
Even the rowooat urifted out 10 sea- said
Bob.
There followed another silence Then the oos un
asked. What about that handy book of yours!
Seems they had some ways Of making boats
in that No-none OF your 'Harpers Young People
kind Buy a nice smokestack 49,
But Tonic had He'd toward the house lie came
back with Il book and lCns it in her lap.
How catch mice mumbled Bob. turning
over the pages. How to make theatre; how 10
make stove. Here We are Ice5oats, saiiuoats
I have ii, look At this"
Tonic sazcd -earchinS'y a; the picture of a boy
rowing a seat supported by two logs. 1t Ger
taiuly looked simple. They Decided to Try 1t,
There followed period of tussing and pounding
and gruntins and heayiUs and running To and fro
Before noon the Robinson CrusOe boat THAT was
the label the picture was completed. When
glanced from the two dry. wormeaten rails
on which rode shiny blackboard seat. to the green
sapling oarlocks. all nailed with assorted rusty
nails. one had 10 admit it astonishing craft.
But nothing save enthusiasm could be seen on
the faces of the builders they sweitering in
the noon sun of July. 1t was their boat; they had
made it, In it they would propel themselves along
the shallow seas Even the naughty elders would
bes to in it.
Well said Bob rising from her contemplation
I'VE must carry it down TO the beach"
As the beach mile away across a pathlesS
meadow. 1t would be no pleasant task But they
got up They lifted il. Tney down rather
suddenly.
Dear me" said Bob who would have thought
it heavy"
Take hold" said Tonic s,eruy.
So they took hold again and staggered of across
the yard Soon they emerged from the cool shade
of the orchard and set uncertain feet upon the
stubbly meadows. The sun beat down their
covered heads. They hOsted their burden
little hiliocks; they crashed down little holows
with il. Their arms seemed dragging from their
sockets. ana the sea was stin far far away; but
they pounded
When they reached the curnfeld Bob set down
her end of the burden. y little blood was trckIins
from her hand. The rail is sIiycry." she ex-
planned
"Lemme tie it up" sand Tonic producing grimy
handkerchief.
Perhaps the bos'uns heart touched. Perhaps
she might have liked To have stayed in the shade
Of the corn forest. having her hand tied up and
shifting the rough salt air. but no the Robinson
Crusoe boat lay staring at them. stiu unaunched
So on again. through the rosemary. through the
marshes, and then the beach. They set their bur
den down with great light of triumph in their
eyes. The time come,
Hastily they pumped it down into the waves
leaning from the rocks. and it pitched and tossed
in the sunlight with dangerous sprishtlness.
' You'd better try it first Bob said. in case
here her voice shook-''in doesn't go quite,
right"
Tonic placed foot on the rail The rail quietly
disappeared. and he brought back a leg wet to the
knee.
Get on" said Bob. with awful caImness: you
must have unbalanced it. Get on"
Tonic sat down firmly the seat The water
gurgled softly between the rails ana rose above his
knees. Gently the oarIocks sank beneath the s,,r
face. But Tonic. too daZed yet To understand re-
maired immOvabe, and when the Robinson Crusoa
boat had settled quietly upon the sandy bottom he
could be seen making vague movements with the
As or Rob