The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-03-25

| directed at Jane.
1t really did look as easy as might
be wished. Jane drew che pole out
of the water, shaking from it a shower
of water drops that cleaned like dia-
monds in the sun; then quietly
dropped it in again, and with supple
swinging bend urged the punt along.
Jane" | said, not without nervous
ness, though by this time proposing is
a familiar enough occupation with me-
Jane, think | shall propose to you
again today.
Jane took no notice of my remark.
Now" said she, come and try to
punt"
Il had much rather you went on.
You look so charmingiy graceful" |
spoke with intention, but Jane was not
to be beguiled.
What you lack in grace will posi-
bly, be made up in humor," she re-
marked, handing me the pole.
Now it was a curious thing that I
had no sooner taken that pole in my
hand than it seemed to attain the di.
mansions of scaffold pole. 1t was
not heavy, but seemed such an enorm-
GUS length, that l was almost afraid to
lift 1t out of the water for fear of
knocking hole in the sky.
Having at length got it well in hand
I selected with a critical eye a suita-
BILE piece of water to drop it in, and
then gently leaned upon the pole as I
remembered Jane to have done. 1t
would have been all right but for the
fact that whom my weight fell on the
pole it was still an inch or two off tho
bottom
BY marvellous feat of equilibrium
| retained my position in the punt
but the shock that resulted from my
little error nearly dislocated every
bone in my body, and completely shat
tered my nerve.
Never push until the pole has
touched botom," Jane observed ora
cularly.
II see it is not advisable" re-
piled when had partially recovered.
Bracing myself | made another at
tempt, this time with partial success,
for the punt moved with some speed,
though it swerved out from the bank
in the most astonishing manner.
put your pole straight down, lit
tie under the punt if possible, AMI
lean right out on the POLE" Jane di-
rected.
l attempted this involved piece of
work, and as result escaped a duck
ing by a hairs breadth. The pole
suddenly became alive and tried with
demoniac fury to drag me over the
side.
sat down and mopped my brow.
'Try again." said Jane.
But here I strongly objected.
IF l lean on the pole and push
shall be in the water in two seconds"
Nonsense; besides, you can swim"
said Jane.
felh this to be unfeeling.
"Well, | have no present intention
of taking a bath, and I absolutely de-
cline to take header into the river
for your delectation." l fear l spoke
with some heat.
There, now, you are getting in
temper said Jane, in sort of more
in sorrow than in anger" tone. II al
ways think it shows an awfully weak
sort of mind-lack of restraint and
will power, and all that, you know
| to get into a temper over trifes
"But the river isn't a Urifle, and it's
wet" said 1.
Don't talk! Go on punting!"
obeyed.
| All went we'll for while, and / was
beginning to feel mighty pleased with
myself, and to put frills on my per
Torrance, so to speak, when of sud-
| den my pole became fixed to the bot
| tom, and as l held it In a frenzied
grip, brought me violently on to my
knees in such a manner as to scrape
all the skin off my shins!
"That was mud" said Jane, CASUALLY
ooh! mud, was it? I thought it was
the end of the world" | laughed
loud and long, though I did not feel
| at all merry.
81 tnink," said Jane, 81 had better
take the punt back"
ut would be as well, If you ever
wish to return!" said I.
So Jane took the pole, and we began
to glide along with maddening ease.
"You see how easy it is she said.
"Now, Jane, don't I have suffered
enough. 1t is not necessary to rub salt
into my wounds. Be quiet, and let me
get into fit state to propose"
Jane gazed vacantly at the land
scape, and as we slowly sped by wood
| and meadow 7 grew calm and con