The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-22
Tripping the Anchor.
BY FRANK II. SWEET.

Copyright 1902 by Daily Story Pub. Co)
 small. sloop-rgsed yacht was lying at anchor near the north end of Prudence Island. Her sails were lowered. but not furled and she had only a light boat an chor out. Apparently she was trying the bass grounds, and would be ready to sheer of into the wind at moments mo- uce. Several persons were leaning over her gunwale. eagerly watching the points where their lines entered the water. A small boy of nine or ten was playing with rope near the forward end of the boat.
 Although there were no signs sof storm, an already stiff breeze was fresh oning down the river, and the yacht was rocked and tossed under the coun- ter influence of the winds and currents which swept round the end of the island.
 It was still early. but occasional pleas ure boats could be seen coming down the river and creeping out from East Green- wfch and Apponang. and from around the point toward Bristol. Now and then ex- cursion steamers appeared in the dist ance, and presently one came near enough to rock the yacht violently.
 Two persons leaning over the gum wales looked up hastily, but the steamer was too far away to occasion alarm, ana they once more became intent on their sport. Their casts were being met freely now, and they were too excited to mo- tice that the boy had climbed out on tho bowsprit. and that a sudden lurch of the vessel had sent him overheard
 It was only when they heard a smoth- cred cry and saw a sudden comnotion on the deck of the steamer. that they became aware of the accident. But they had little time for alarm. A 1.-the form shot from the steamers rail, and almost before they realized the danger. it was was past. A few powerful strokes and the swimmer was beside the child; a few later and they were both on board the yacht.
 The stranger proved to be an athletic young man of six feet or more, with
 T am afraid I shall have to tntrudo on your hospitality for a few hours. he said, with a significant motion toward the vanishing steamer, my boat doesn't seem to think it worth while to wait for me. bass lying in the cockpit.
 Yes yes, excellent! Of course you must accept our hospitality. Why. God bless me, sir, everything tn board Is portiy, red-faced man of 90 or more bus tied forward and caught him enusively by the hand. Dear. dear. to think of cur being SO careless: The boy might lave been drowned! Of course you must stay with us: just as long as you possibly ter, Maud-our chief sailor and fisherman --and my daughters, May and Ellen and Louise-enthusiastic sailors and fisher men, every one of them. God bless me. sir the boy might have been drowned!' and before the young man could sepa- rate the last three named daughters from cne another he found himself shaking hands indiscriminstely with all of them.
 Wouldn't you better take the gentle. man below and give him change of ciothing?" suggested Maud.
 "Of course! Of course. I was just about to propose it-and glass of strong toddy as well. Come this way. sir .,
 Thank you. but it isn't worth while accustomed to the water. and wetting Is almost daily occurrence. This suit Is designed for just such accidents and will be dry In a short time. And l sell dom drink anything stronger than water. However. I am just as much obliged.
 "Well. if you think so." with evident disappointment "but it don't seem quite the thing after what you've done. Did you tell me your name. sir
 No, think not. I belong to the great family of Smith. and my given nams is John. Wouldn't I better clew up your sails, or else hoist them and ease ofr your jib trife to the windward. Your boat will swing back and forth then without paying off.''
 With quick discernment Maud went to the tilier. and when he hoisted the sails she luffed the vessel and trimmed in the mainsail perfectly flat. Then the jib was played off a little and In a moment the yacht was riding the waves evenly with her head to the wind.
 There, that is better, said MT. Smith: You eased her off spiendidly, Miss"
 "Gleeson. I noticed papa made tho omission. His introductions are usually one-sided affairs; There is the bell now Suppose you go below with papa and get breakfast. The girls and will look aftei things until you return"
 When the two came on deck again the wind had freshened considerably, but It needed no second glance to tell that the boat had been in good hands. She had veered round slightly with the wind, but was taking the waves gracefully under the. firm grasp at her helm. Mir. Gleeson looked about complacently.
 now. girls he said. "your mother is afraid I will get cold. MT. Smith and will run across toward Bristol. and after We have tried the fishing there we will tack down the bay; I expect we shall have good run if this wind holds. "
 But the fishing did not prove satisfac- tory along the Bristol shore. so they tackled across Mt. Hope Bay toward Tiv- erton and ran down as far as Common Fence Point IL was nearly noon before they found themselves back in the mid de passage heading for Newport.
 By this time the young man was con- graduating himself on having fallen into such snug quarters. The girls were brigh 1Q1 coTQldt, ana were eNluGHtIy very am bilious. In the course of conversation il came out that Maud had just graduated from Nassar, and was looking forward to career. But he was their master ir outdoor sports. He knew all about golf links and tennis cours and boating and cycling He had also travelled extensive ly and was a graphic portrayer of what he had seen. The girls listened eagerly and interrupted him with keen questions and comments. As the yacht glided dowI the east shore of Prudence Point, they all felt that the young man was a de cidcd acquisition to the party. He laugh most of the work and insisted on pre- paring the fish for dinner. He made knots and hitchcs for Bobby, baited hooks for the girls. and listened to MT. Gleeson with exemplary deference. When one of the girls broke into a rollicking sea song. he joined in with a rich tenor which sent the music ringing out across the water. and presently evoked a hearty response from the passing yachts.
 Mrs. Gleeson looked on conplacently md Mir. GleCson openly expressed his 'ap proval of the ways of Providence.
 ''I couldn't have arranged 1t better my strange we should have been so careless Dear dear to think the boy might have
 been drowned However" brighteninl Its all gone ny how. and we've got you to keen us cheerful. Of course. you'll stay with us a few days?
 ''I am very sorry" -eplied MT. smith rcGTetfully. but I shall have to beg you +o put IT" on shore a Jamestown or Now rott. All my hnssSge was on board th' steamer.
 oh. it's all right. then. Wen send