Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-01-02

the water few rods away. Sidney
swan at his side and soon climbed
aboard the raft. He helped Mr.. Kent
TO his feet, and then swan for the
paddles, which were floating toward
the rocks. He recovered them and
was again safe on the raft.
"Are you all right, Mr.. Kent?"
asked Sidney, as he grasped the hand
of his companion and shook it ear
nestly.
II am all right, except that I have
quart or more of salt water in nv
stomach" said Mr.. Kent, who seemed
more chagrined than hurt. 'Tt is a
lucky thing for me that you are a
strong swimmer. could not have
kept up. You saved my life, Ham
mond. don't know how to thank
you for little thing like that
Don't try" said Sidney, laughing
heartily. II am glad you are not in
jured. How did it happen?"
"Like fool, did not take your
advice and dive in time" said Mr..
Kent. II thought the raft would
AAoN 'uoo wave, anu 50 uOOk a
chance. 1t tipped squarely over
and when I tried to jump my foot
slipped. The raft came over right on
top of me, and for moment I was
stunned. don't know how long I
was under water. The first thing I
remember was when you yelled in my
ear. l knew enough to do as 1 was
told. In my time, have helped per-
sons out of the water, and have not
forgotten the rules. The next wave
would have fixed me. could not
get my breath, and was losing nv
strength"
They soon were on shore; removed
their garments, wrung them out, and
remained in the shade of tree until
their clothing was dried sufficiently
to wear. Mr.. Kent would listen to
no proposition involving an imme-
date return to the bungalow, and
stoutly declared he was as well as
ever. After an hours rest they pro-
ceeded to climb the slope of the rock
which formed the north portal of the
gateway. 1t was a long, hard strug-
gle over the rocks and through brush
and briars. But they kept on and
at last stood on the summit of the
crag, 400 feet above the ocean.
Look at that!" exclaimed Sidney.
He pointed in the direction where
there was cleft in the ridge of hills
to the northwest. There showed the
faint outlines of a distant giant
mountain peak; a pyramid whose top
was white with eternal snow.
See that mountain peak!" he ex-
claimed. Mr.. Kent's eyes were not
so good as Sidney's, but he soon
made out the outlines of a mountain.
chat peak is about $50 miles
from here" said Sidney in great JOY.
1T must be on the mainland of Mex
leo or Central America. There are
no ranges on any islands with peaks
like that. We are within sight Of
shore. That mountain is long way
off, but do not believe that it can
be more than $50 miles. 1t looks
like volcano. imagine 1 can see
column of smoke above it. With a
favoring wind we can make the MAIN
land in day. This is great. We
can build q boat and get away from
this island in less than two weeks at
the most
ut certainly looks as if you are
right" said Mr.. Kent. ~ wonder
how big this island is9"
They studied the shape of the
coast, but 1t gave no answer to Mr..
Kent's question. From where they
stood it was apparent no exploration
of the shore from below was posi-
bic. Even at low tide the ocean beat
at the foot of the rocks, casting its
spray far up their sides. In places,
the never-resting waves had worn
caverns into the cliffs. They deter
mined to make an attempt to reach
the. northern ridge of hills by skirt
ing the brow of the cliffs, but
postponed this until after lunch
con. This they ate with good
appetite, and luckily found spring
of clear, cool water bubbling from
the crevice of rock.
Simon Pence is queer charac-
ter" observed Sidney, tossing ban
ana skin over the cliff. 81 suppose
he means well, but he is what some
people call little near"
did you ever hear of the time
the committee waited on him to get
contribution for some charity2"
asked Mr.. Kent.
Sidney had not.
ut was decided to raise sum Of
money for some deserving charity"
continued Mr.. Kent. II have forgot
ten what it was-there are so many
of them. At any rate, the paper went
the rounds, and they called on me
among others. I signed for a sum,
and glanced over the list. Morton
was down for $4,000, Rockwell had
signed for $4,000, Carmody had
pledged ss,ooo-he is very liberal and
charitable, us he can afford to be-
Haven was down for something, and
there was lot of others. I no.
ticed that Mrs. Simon Pence was on
the paper for $50. Well, the COM
mittee called on Pence. They were
admitted and explained their mis-
sion. He sighed and looked at the
list. He read it up and down, and
suddenly came upon the name Mrs.
Simon Pence. He picked up his pen
and wrote something. The commit
tee was all expectation. He handed
it back to them. What do you sup
pose they saw"
81 am sure I cannot guess?"
"He had written Mr. and before
Mrs. Simon Pence That was his