The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-01-26
ACOMEDY of
ACCIDENTS
By FRANK H. SWEET
Copyright. 1906, by Ruby Douglas


When the breeze is just strong enough
to fill sail without fiattening and the
gun discreet enough to brim the sum-
mer girls cup of enjoyment to the
verge of color and tan there is no place
superior to the shore waters of Nan
tucket. If Blanche Wilmot and Tom
Howard did not think so in stereotyped
form as they tackled out from the hotel
dock it was all in the vivacity Of their
eyes and voices and motions.
Now, you trim the sail, while 1 do
the rudder," cried Blanche, land which
is port and starboard, so 1 can call out,
and what is down bridge? Susie Mills
is forever telling me about their down
bridges when they go sailing, and she
says it's such fun. And bailing out
can't we bail out, Mr.. Howard? We
only stay month at Nantucket, and
want to learn 1t all 50 can talk too"
Mr.. Howard" scornfully. I'm Tom
and you're Blanche. Weren't we prop
eriy introduced Mt the breakfast table,
not an hour ago, and didn't that Susie
Mills OF yours ever mention that Nan
tucket has no frills? No one can like
down bridges and preserve dignity
No." doubtfully. Susie didn't speak
OF that-Tom, but what Is it, and the
rest"
"Oh, just ducking your head to keep
from being knocked overheard by the
boom when it swings around. It's any
thing but fun, l can tell you, Blanche.
Some boatmen are forever lacking
when they're in narrow channels and
that keeps the boom swinging like
pendulum. And bailing-that's when
a boat leaks. You can thank your stars
not to have any of that"
"Pshaw! You're no true sailor" dis
gustedly. I'D just love for the boat to
leak. Couldn't we snag something or
or foul rock or strain a seam so she
would spring leak? 1t would be sc
salty, you know. But you didn't ex-
plain port"
''Oh, that-that's the side one turns
out when driving, 1 think. or maybe
it's the other side. I'm not quite sure
just now. But anyway we won't need
it. They say that and starboard in
battles, you know, when they're going
on board with cutlaSses. But look
out"' sharply. You will spring leak
sure if you run into rocks that way"
We'll, how could help It," Blanche
rctorted. with you chattering? ]
couldn't listen to you and trim the rud
i mean do you rudder-at the same
time. Sailors always look at the sky
and things and mediate. Now, how
shall we get off? The boat spins round
like hobbyhorses turning on a pole
III bet folks are looking at us from
the hotel and laughing"
Tom gaZcd into the water sDecula
lively.
Il suppose l could get out and push
off, he said suggestively. ut isn't
over three or four feet deep. But I'd
get awfully wet"
Then you sit right there and hold
On for your life" cried Blanche with.
eringly as she sprang to her feet. 'I'n
jump overheard myself and push off
I'd just love to get wet well" as
Tom splashcd into the water, "if you
will do 1t. You're slow for emergen.
cies, but l think you'll be susceptible
to treatment. Now" as the boat was
slid off the rock, almost causing her tc
lose her balance, and Tom clambered
dripping on board. suppose you trim
do the rudder awhile and let me trim
sail. want to learn it ALL"
Crazy" growled Tom as he edged
by her to the cockpit and grasped the
rudder. Il could have pushed off with
an oar just as we'll and saved this
wetting-if I'd thought. Luff little.
Blanche"
Lets scc'-sweetly-"that has to be
done with the rudder, doesn't 1t, Tom?"
'Oh. we'll, maybe it does"-irritably
but you'd be owlish If you had
streams of water coursing down your
back and flooding your shoes. And
were right in front of the hotel. Like |
ly 400 out of the 500 guests are look |
Ing at Us and making remarks" He
was silent for some moments and then |
added, And I Dragged a whole lot to |
some OF the fellows about my-my salt
mess"
Poor Tom" laughed Blanche. "iSl1t |
Tn in the same boat My talk was
horribly salty this morning. I'm afraid |
we're in for general congratulations |
when we get back"
Tom groaned, kicked the water from
his shoes, then laughed.
only a month, die you say,
Ilanche?" lie asked.
That's all. And papa made whole |
lot of trouble about that. He doesn't |
like the seashore u bit and only gave |
in when l promised to be good girl |
and consider his wishes III the fall. |
You see, I'm escaping, and wanted to |
get just as far away as possible In |
hope OF making it permanent"
Queer" quoth Tom; Pm escaping |
too. Only mines to be all summer.
And I'm studying how to make the |
thing permanent"
Blanche looked Interested.
Whats your trouble" she asked |
"a girl?"
Yes. Money in two families. Got |
TO be united. All cut and dried without |
consulting me-.
why don't you jump overheard, as
you did just nowY
That's what I'm thinking Of. But |
it means disinheritance, and I've never |
earned cent in my life. It's some |
thing that calls for mental struggle |
through silent watches of the night"
rs the girl nice looking"
"Never saw her. But how is 1t with |
you?
Just the same. Money, money, mon
ey, and never saw the man either"
Tom leaned forward, his eyes shin