The Washington times., 1903-07-19
FOUR BOYS AND A BOAT.

We stared blankly at each other. A
few inches of the old snag could be seen
above the water, but the boat had dis
appeared
III bet you I know just what's hap
pened," said George. suddenly. The
top OF the old snag has been broken off
by the rope pulling on it and the boat
has ioated away"
Well we'd better foat after it in
pretty short order said Lew. as he
leaped into the stream. We followed
him and swan swiftly around the curve
in the river. No boat could be scent
The course of the river was nearly
straight for about half a mile, and then
1t curved again. We swan TO the shore
and ran TO this curve. The river
widened here and flowed on in a nearly
straight line for another quarter of a
mile. No boat could be seen
But here we found trace of it.
George, who had waded out into the
water for few yards, held up a limp
bit OF white cotton cloth.
We'll, / am a little better off than
the rest of you, for I've something to
put on"
"What?"
My collari''
Your collar2"
Yes; l left it on a seat of the boat,
and suppose the wind blew IL of into
the water. Guess I'll put II on"
He strung it around his neck as he
spoke and l said:
We'll. as you are the best dressed boy
in the crowd you'd better go on down to
Farmington and see II you can hear
anything OF our boat and clothes
Pennington was a small town lying
on both sides OF the river. about a mile
from where we stood There was a
factory there. and it was probable that
some one had seen the boat and taken 1t
ashore. George did not take kindly TO my
proposition.
''No, thank you" he said. THE folks
down in Pennington are so old-fashioned
and strait-laced that they might OBJ
ject to my decollete costume
He came ashore and Joe said:
We'll, what are We 10 do?"
Il give IL up" replied George.
I'VE can't give it up." said Lew
We've got to do something l don't
know what uncle will say to me about
that boat"
Il wouldn't care If the old boat was
in the bottom of the river If our clothes
were here said Lew moodily.
Half Of an old newspaper lay on the
bank near George, who could see nothing
but the funny side OF the situation Pick
ing up the newspaper he offered IT to
Lew, and said:
Here. Lew, wrap yourself up In this
and go uD to that old farmhouse and
see IL they can't help us out. I'll lend you
my collar. too. II you want 1t, and
noticed an old Darasol with no cover to
81 back there on the river bank. You
might"
You might get hurt IL you don't keep
STILL" growled Lew ominously I'll tell
you we've got to Jupiter there's a
wagon coming, RUM
We were near ford We ran into the
timber and hid behind a log. A farm
wagon containing several men and wo-
men came down to the ford and crossed
slowly over the river, while we wood
nymphs." as George called us, sat upon
the log and talked over the situation.
We tried to be serious. but the abb
surdity of our position and George
Hare's ludicrous suggestions kept all of
us but Lew in almost constant laughter.
Lew was more dismayed over the loss OF
the boat than over the loss OF our gar
ments
'I have other clothes at home. but
Uncle VIII hasn't any other boat" he
said
'T am sorry enough about the boat, a"
said George, but just at the present
time I'd rather have my shirt and trous-
ers than a steam yacht with a solid
mahogany cabin and brass trimmings"
ITO BE CONTINUED NEXT sUNDAYl