The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-19

ing eyes and outgushing heart, Pau
Vernon recalled these words and dwell
fondly upon the memory Of the pictur
then before him. That stout, athleti
form. that plain. homely face, but mos
Of all that CHEEKY. hopeful, resigned ex
preston that lent such vivid charm
to the otherwise unprepossessing coun
tenance of Tom Harris.
After a nights rest and bountifu
breakfast from that most skillful Of al
culinary artists, Dame Nature herself
albeit the butler who collected and SCI
out the sayory dishes was none Other
than honest Tom-our little company
began to feel less like benighted out
casts, and to look upon the beautiful lit
tie island as a home establishment.
The little girl wept bitterly when her
childish mind was made to comprehend
the sorrowful fate Of her nurse and pro-
tector, yet with the versatility of in
fancy entered also into the keen delight
of Walter Vernon, who cape.ed around
his father and Tom as they we're busily
telling the trees needed for their per-
manent habitation, loudly rejoicing at
the beautiful sights around them.
On the third day they commenced an
exploring expedition along the shore
and some distance back into the inte-
rior. They found they were upon a
small isolated island, yet evidently one
of a group, since from the top of a
tall cocoanut tree on the summit of the
highest hill Tom declared he could see
a dim line beyond the water that
marked the land, probably of similar
island. He made another discovery at
the same time which he believed more
important to them, which was that the
wreck of their ship had not sunk, but
was lying evidently caught between, the
Jagged points of a reef underneath the
water.
Boundless sources of wealth were dis
closed to them, but no sign of human
habitation. The bread-fruit, cocoa,
cocoanut. yams, banana, plantain, and
sugar-cane grew in spontaneous abund-
ance, while Tom pointed out to them
the Abia-tree, bearing its delicious
pulpy fruit, and won Walters heart
completely when he handed him a
handful Of the sweet native chestnut,
Kata. Upon the elevated land they
found forests Of stately trees, whose
names were mostly familiar to Toms
experience or Mr.. Vernons botanical
knowledge.
"Ah," said the former ioyfully, paus-
ing beneath a group of apapa and faifai
trees, here is the stuff, Mr.. Vernon, for
our canoe. We will visit the old ship
soon, and find out what's left for u.s.
While they were examining the gem
erous supply OF valuable timber the
children were gathering flowers. Sud
denly came scream from the little
girl, and loud shout for help from
Walter. Both Mr.. Vernon and Tom
turned in alarm. A trampling, rush
ing noise came from a thicket of tan
gled vines and underbrush, and out
darted strange-looking animal, up
setting the courageous boy, who had
flung himself in front Of his weaker
While little Eleanor-she had given |
80 much of her name to Tom before
The shipwreck. but could not now be
made to recall the rest-clung frantic
lily to Toms neck, Mr.. Vernon in much
alarm assisted his son to rise.
"Oh, father, father, what was .t-a
,ear or lion?" gasped Walter
Toms CHEEKY laugh rang out bolster
'usly,
1T vas better than that, my boy-it
vas our pork-barrel still on it's legs.
3ye-and-bye the old fellow will give
-ou a sausage to pay for this fright"
What, a pig?" calculated Mr.. ver-
10, much relieved
Nothing else, sir Wild hogs find
ood living here, and so shall we. In
eed, sir. all the wants OF decent hui
nan cretur are supplied here. See
here, behind the sandal, is a candle
rec. We needn't stay long in the
ark"
Mr.. Vernon sighed.
"Ah, Tom, show me tree where my
ooks, my precious books. grow, ranged
sdy in row for hungry mind
Tom scratched his head
You've got me there; but If we can't
nd any left in the old hulk, hope it
int bold in me to say mistrust you
IN write some for yourself"
You are an admirable fellow. Tom.
II eSpedients. | think I'll try. OF
purse you'll provide plenty Of paper
I'D ink?"
Jest as much as you want" an
yered the old sailor triumphantly. de-
GIFTED to see his random suggestion
as likely to work profitably In avert
g the melancholy he dreaded SO much.
III show you some beans bye-and-bye !
lat will give better ink than any you
in buy in London. I'll be bound, for
in and water can't fade it out: and as
# raper, bleach out some of my native
9th for the strong. or make some OF ,
g sender like Chinese rice-paper--i :
st what you want"
well said. When we build the
ouse I'll have study 10 write in. :
ome. children. you have an interest In
lr plan; there must be school-room
ID parlor on purpose for little Ellie"