The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-09-06
The Canvas Blew Away, and Away
They Went Whirline Down Hill.


They Went Whirline Down Hill.
of provisions, the small brothers, Don,
Denny and Billy, felt very down
hearted indeed.
"Never mind" said mamma, try
ing to comfort them. you shall go
to the Sunday school picnic next
week."
But Don and Denny m%ournfully
shook their heads. What was a Sun
day school picnic compared with
camping out in the woods? you
can't shoot bears at a Sunday school
picnic" replied Don.
Nor sleep outdoors at night, nor
cook your dinner over a camp fire."
said Denny.
Nov, boys" said papa, between
you and me. l don't believe Irving or
Ralph or Percy will really shoot any
bears. They just think they will.
But I don't see why you can't have
a good time camping out, too.
You have the old tent up in the
attic, and it can be pitched in the Or
~Aioiu. L wall OCI IL up anu ldy q DOoiiu
floor tomorrow. You can have Billy's
trundle-bed, and lie crosswise, so that
it will be wide enough for three. You
may have the old wash-bench for a
table, and three camp-chairs. OF course
you cannot cook there, but now and
then we will have a fire and get a real
camp meal, just as the other boys
will. How will that do?"
Splendid" cried Don and Denny.
Billy jumped up and down in delight.
LET them sleep out there!" ex.
claimed mamma.
what harm could come to them?"
said papa. "Towser will be with them;
they will be quite safe"
So the tent was pitched, and the
happy little boys began their camp
life. The orchard was on a slope of
land, facing the southeast. 1t was
only a short distance from the house,
but the foliage was so thick. that you
could not see the house from the or
chard.
All day the boys played as usual,
but the things they did seemed differ.
ent from usual. They did not have to
keep dressed up, but went barefoot all
the time, and wore old clothes and
hats; and mamma did not bother
when they got soiled and torn. Once
when they met her, and a lady caller
on the garden walk, she only said:
"SThese boys are not at home now;
they are away on a camping trip"
Their meals tasted different from
usual, also, although they had the
same fare that papa and mamma ate
at home. Once, however, papa came
out and built a fire in the orchard, and
they broiled steak, roasted eggs and
toasted crackers. Some way or other
their dishes got cleared away and
their beds made right along, although
they never troubled themselves about
1t; and at bedtime came in
to hear their prayers and tuck them
in. Towser slept in the tent door
and every morning he woke them VI
by tapping their faces.
One night they were suddenly awak
ened by q thunderclap, which seemed
to be right in the tent. They clune
to one another, too scared even tc
cry. The lightning flashed, the thun
der peafed. the wind shrieked among
the trees, and the rain beat upon theil
canvas. The tent was trembling
sTowser was bowling with all his
might. And then, all at once, there
came a terrific rush of wind and rain
their tent-pole broke. they were tori
from bed, the canvas blew away, ant
away they went whirling down hill.
What happened then the boys were
too bewildered to know distinctly; blu
Don remembered fetching up againsr
a tree, and seeing-by a lightnin,
ftash-littie Billy washed by, witt
-Towser in pursuit. Then he saw thu
dancing yellow CLEAN of a lantern
and heard his fathers voice calling.
~.Boys, where are your"
TTowser caught Billy and dragged
him uphill-very frightened, wet ant
mnddy. although not seriously hurt
Then papa carried him to the house
while Don, Denny and Towser strug
sEIed sm behind. And then there wa.
~ lively rubbing with towels, a put
ting ~ Of dry clothes. AID a sippin,
OF hot chocolate as they rat toast.ni