Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-09-25

oarsmcn could not see the other boats
their heads and the coiiiding boats
promptly keeied 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 prcscrvcrs on. Get out the
medicine chest Mt once"
Mr.. Thompkins was throwing on his
coat and shoes. and Ms he did so
shouted: II will rescue them. The
prescrvers will hold them up until
reach them and bring them safe To
shore
Then he divcd mndiy 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 u violent tug sue
cccdcd In pulling MIR. Thompkins back
ON shore. With piece Of wood they
dug mud out Of his eyes and ears and
then cxcavaicd n place for his mouth
NO that he could talk.
Save the children" gnspcd Mr..
Thompkins. Il divcd Into the mud"
why. the children are spiashins
water on each other and having =
pleasant time" said Mrs. Thompkins.
The water Is only about two feet
deep. I don't t!..nk you need mind
rcscuin. them
Mr. Thompkins looked utterly
crushed and crawicd down to the river
and washed the mud on his face and
then retired To his medicine chest.
where he sat waiting for the terrible
come.
Suddenly there was a sharp report.
and small girl appeared. crying vio.
icntiy. Mr. Thompkins with a bound
threw open the medicine chest and
grabbed out an array OF shinin.
knives. eouf, PLACER. and bandascs.
He threw q 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 tait.
Now. where are you woundcd!'
Il hain't wounded" said the small
| girl. Tommy Hawkins Is shooting
on arccrackcrs an he won't let mo
shoot any
S,r. Thompkins looked ~ though he
thought the small child had done him
n personal injury. lie sat down and
stilkcd while he waited for the day
to turn cold or for heavy rain TO
commence falling or somebody TO get
killed or drowned. lie was terribly
downcast. but on the way home. when
he was expecting Mrs. Thompkins to
make some sly dig at him for carrying
n lot OF useless traps to a picnic. he
felt immensely relieved and delighted
when she said: And I am SO glad
you took all the things you did to the
picnic"
"Ah." said Mr.. Thompkins. sitting
up and smiling. Il was afraid you
wouldn't think much OF my prudence
and forc,hought"
20. indeed. I do replied Mrs.
Thompkins. you sec. yhcn you are
prepared for emergencies and sit
around looking for accidents to hap.
pen. why. nothing ever happens. Mrs.
Bright says she wants you to be sure
TO come TO their picnic next week and
to imagine all sorts Of dreadful things.
and Mrs. Jones wants you to come to
their picnic. and. in fact, think you'll
be In great demand. The children all
think you are a splendid mascot and
they want to tic pink. ribbons in your
beard like they did with the goat they
had for n mascot last year. They
say you are much better mascot
than the goat
| MIR. Tbompkins climbed up on the
seat and rode the rest OF the way
home with the driver.
He has quit going to picnics.-Chi.
carp Tribune