The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-11-05
The Canvas Blew Away, and Away
They Went WhirIing 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 mournfully
shook their heads. What was 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.
Now, 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 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
chard. / will set it up and lay board
floor tomorrow. You can have Blllys
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. OF 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 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.
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 awav and
their beds made right along. although
they never troubled themselves about
1t; 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 nm
by tapping their faces.
One night they were suddenly avail
ened by thunderclap, which seemed
TO be right in the tent They clrra
to one another, too scared even 20
cry. The lightning flashed. the tbun.
der pealed, the wind shrieked amona
the trees and the rain beat upon their
canvas. The tent was tremblino
Towser was bowling with All bi"
might. And then, all at once tbano
came terrific rush of wind and ro,n
their tent-pole broke, they were torn
from bed, the canvas blew AWAY ga
away they went whirling down hin
What happened then the bovs "
TOO bewildered to know distinctl,,. 80
Don remembered fetching up against
a tree, and seeing-by liohtnt"
Billy washed bY Mig
Towser in pursuit Then he saw ~
dancing yellow CLEAN of a 1an+o .ne
and heard his fathers voice caI,,na n'
Boys, where are your"
Towser caught Billy and dr,,
him uphill-very frightened Wet e,
muddy, although not seriously bnnt
Then papa carried him to the hn nur''
while Don, Denny and Towser stu'se
sled on behind. And then there Ne
lively rubbing with towels. a mn. o
ing on OF dry clothes, and sinn,nr
d hot chocolate as they sat toastins