The Globe-republican., 1903-09-24

|. oarsmen could not see the other boats
because Of tho umbrellas held over
their heads and the colliding boats
, promptly keeled over, and with many
whoops and howls.the occupants went
, into the water.
"Hurrah, hurrah!" shouted Mr..
Thompkins, jumping up and down..
"Ah, my wonderful foresight! They've
all got life preseryers on. Get out the
medicine chest at once"
Mr.. Thompkins was throwing of his
coat and shoes, and as he did so
shouted: II will rescue them. The
preservers will hold them up until !
reach them and bring them safe to
shore"
Then he dived madly Into the river.
His head and shoulders went out OF
| sight, but his feet remained above wa
ter, kicking violently. One Of the hack
drivers and Mrs. Thompkins grabbed
the heels and after a violent tug sue
ceeded in pulling Mr.. Thompkins back
on shore. With a piece Of wood they
dug mud out Of his eyes and ears and
then excayated a place for bis mouth
so that he could talk.
Save the children" gasped Mr.
Thompkins. II dived into the mud"
"Why, the children are splashing
water on each other and having q
pleasant time" said Mrs. Thompkins.
1.-THE water is only about two feet
deep | don't think you need mind
rescuing them"
Mr.. Thompkins looked utterly
crushed and crawled down to the river
and washed the mud off his face and
then retired to his medicine chest
where he sat waiting for the terrible
accident that he knew was sure to
come.
Suddenly there was q sharp report,
and small girl appeared, crying VIC.
lently. Mr. Thompkins with bound
threw open the medicine chest and
grabbed out an array of shining
knives, court plaster, and bandages.
He threw a book at Mrs. Thompkins
and ordered her to find the chapter on
What To Do in Case Of Gunshot
Wounds"
Don't cry, little GIRL" commanded
Mr.. Thompkins. Keep perfectly cool.
We will take the bullet right out
Now, where are you wounded?"
II hain't wounded" said the small
girl, Tommy Hawkins is shooting
off frecrackers an he won't let me
shoot any"
Mr. Thomphns looked as though he
thought the small child had done him
q personal injury, He sat down and
sulked while he waited for the day
to turn cold or for heavy rain to
commence falling or somebody to get
killed or drowned. He was terribly
downcast, but on the way home, when
he was expecting Mrs. Thompkins to
make some sly dig at him for carrying
a lot Of useless traps to picnic, no
felt immensely relieved and delighted
when she said: "And am so glad
you took all the things you did to the
picnic"
"Ah,' said Mr.. Thompklns, sitting
up and smiling II was afraid you
wouldn't think much Of my prudence
and forethought."
70. indeed, I do" replied Mrs.
you see, yhen you are
prepared for emergencies and BIZ
around looking for accidents to hap
zen, why, nothing ever happens. Mrs. y
Bright says she wants you to be sure
o come to their picnic next week and
O imagine all sorts of dreadful things,
md Mrs. Jones wants you to come to
heir picnic, and, in fact, think you'll
10 in great demand. The children alf
hlnk you are a splendid mascot and
hey want to tie pink ribbons In your
card like they did with the goat they
ad for a mascot last year. They
ay you are much better mascot
han the goat"
Mr.. Thompkins climbed up on the
eat and rode the rest Of the way
ONE with the driver.
He has quit going to picnlca. Chi.
ago Tribune.