The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-08-31
The Canvas Blew Away, and Away
They Went Whlrling Down Hill.

tUGI WCUt WUtTIUA DOWU fVliis
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 mournfully
shook their heads. What was Sun
day school picnic compared with
camping out in the woods? You
can't shoot bears at Sunday school
picnic" replied Don.
Nor sleep outdoors at night, nor
cook your dinner over a camp fire"
said Denny
Now, boys said papa. between
you and me, l don't believe Irving or
Ralph or Percy viii really shoot any
bears. They just think they will.
But don't see why you can't have
a good time camping out too.
You have the old tent up in the
attic, and T. can be pitched in the or
chard. / will set it up and lay board
floor tomorrow. You can have Billy's
trundle-bed and lie crosswise, so that
1t will be wide enough for three. You
may have the old wash-bench for
table, and three camp-chairs. or course
you cannot cook there, but now and
then we will have fire and get real
camp meal, just as the other boys
will. How viii 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 lady caller
on the garden walk. she only said:
These boys are not at home now;
they are away, on 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 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
it; and at bedtime mamma came in |
to hear their prayers and tuck them
in. Towser slept in the tent door,
and every morning he woke them up
by tapping their faces
One night they were suddenly awak-
ened by thunderclap which seemed
to be right in the tent. They clung
to one another, too scared even to
cry The lightning flashed. the thun.
der pealed. the wind shrieked among
the trees. and the rain beat upon their
canvas. The tent was trembling
Towser was bowling with all his
might, And then. all at once. there
came a terrific rush of wind and rain.
their tentpole broke. they were torn
from bed. the canvas blew away. and
away they went whirling down hill.
What happened then the boys were
100 bewildered to know distinctly: but
Don remembered fetching up against
q tree. and seeing-by a lightning
HAsh--lttle Billy washed by. with
rowser in pursuit Then he saw the
iancsng yellow gleam OF a lantern.
md heard his fathers voice calling:
Boys. where are you?"
Towser caught Billy and dragged
him uphiil-very frightened, wet and
muddy, although not seriously hurt
InAn papa carried him to the house
whie Don, Denny and Towser strue-
yled on behind And then there was
! lively rubbing with towels. put.
5pE on Of dry clothes. and q slipping
y hot chocolate as they sat toaating