St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-03

1.-THE body bent to the even strokes a
her paddle. But had only her back,
and occasionally her profile, to look
at, so pushed on in order to get round
the next point where we should turn
south and SO get out of the sight of
our hotel and the neighboring islands.
wanted to do up this adventure
brown and have the whole landscape
to ourselves alone, and SO make my
declaration in really favorable sur
roundings.
We went on till we had left the
point behind us and turned our course
so that the waves came directly on
our starboard side. The canoe was
dlfficult to keep straight, and as we
were both leaningovero our paddles and
throwing good deal of weight on our
own sides OF the craft it was scarcely
necessary Tor me to do anything "A
stroke too long as the poet says, was
all that was needed, and there was q
lurch and splash, and over we went.
But through some stupidity on my
part my feet got caught in the thwart,
and when, after a moment, managed
to extricate myself and come up pant
ing, my lady was collecting paddles
and cushions in the most insOuciant
way, meanwhile swimming about as
easily as il water were her natural
element.
Are you all right she called out,
looking more concerned about me
than thought necessary; and with
her bonnet and hair scarcely splashed.
SO calmly had she fallen in.
Yes; I'm all right now. Let me
help YOU I answered, striking out in
her direction. tE
Don't bother about me- can
easily swim to shore. It's only about
a quarter Of mile. You had better
right your canoe and put the things
In before the cushions sink and OF
she went, striking out with a long,
easy stroke that looked good for twice
the distance.
We'll. l was in fix. l never in.
tended to overturn the canoe COM
pletely in tipping the girl out, and I
would not have done so ii my wretch
ed feet had not caught, for l had not
the slightest idea how to right it. It
looked so simple, to have just spilled
US out and then supporting her WITH
one arm while rescued, padded, ct
cetera, with the other-indeed, even
had an idea of towing the canoe by
holding the painter In my teeth as l
had seen others do. But, alas! the
best laid schemes O. mice and men
gang aft a-gley.' So what could / ex-
pect with such clumsy plot as mine?
For though | had seen the girl in
bathing | had no idea a woman could
swim a quarter of a mile in her
clothes.
But don't you be surprised at any,
thing Canadian girls do! Well, I had
my hands full, trying to turn that
canoe over without filling it with
water-try it yourself some time
and after vainly struggling with 1t for
ten minutes and being unable to
move 1t, so heavy was 1t, gave up
and made for shore, which my water
witch was fast approaching with un-
abated energy.
Perhaps / wasn't vexed when, on
looking behind me. l spied sailboat
containing the bank clerk and two
other men from our hotel bearing
down upon the shore just in front of
my companion In distress-or rather
my late companion, for she seemed
perfectly at ease. They did not deign
to notice me till they rushed past, and
then one insulting creature called out:
Hello, Ferryboat! Beaten out by q
girl. eh?' making me SO angry that
nearly choked then and there.
well, they carried her of, and
were kind enough to empty my canoe
for me and push it OF in my direction.
So clambered in and padded home |
by myself, sadder and q permanent
ly wiser man.
Her engagement to the bank clerk |
was announced that evening. SO you
may suppose was heartily glad | had
Intended leaving there the next day.
FOR shouldn't have cared about stay.
ing longer. Naturally I was the
stock Of the house. for 1t was
impossible for me to explain. No one
would have believed / had done on
purpose a thing which made me cut
70 poor figure. So l had to keen
silent. swallow my rage and wish
he young people joy into the bar
gain.
But. I'll never try any dodge like
hat on q Canadian girl again, and
lon't you, either. my boy. They're
dangerous game. IN T. Tribune.