Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1908-11-20

T North woods seemed to him an unin
habltable wilderness. What fuss be
! bad made over signing his name
: Pooh he could sign IL hundred times
] And her name was as pretty as she
; was. "Florenee"-he said IL to him.
self great many times.
As the boat was nearing Its pier In
the North river a two funneled. drab.
foreign looking seag0ing steamer was
dropping down toward the bay. The
boat turned It's nose Ia toward its slip.
The steamer veored as II TO seek mid
stream aud then waved. seemed to In
crease ITS speed and struck the Coney
boat on the side near the stern. cut
ting into II with terrifying shock and
crash
While the 600 passengers on the
boat were mostly tnmbllng about
the decks 10 shriekfng panic the
captain was shouting at the steamer
that II should not back Off and leave
the rent exposed for the water to en-
ter But the steamer tore its way out
ike a savage sawfish and cleaved its
heartess way. full speed ahead
The boat began 10 sink at its stern.
but moved slowly toward the slip
/ The passengers were a frantic mob.
unpleasant TO behold
BInker held Florence tightly until
| the boat had righted Itself She made
no sound or sign Of fear He stood
on camp stool ripped Off the STATS
above his head and pulled down
number OF life preseryers He began
TO buckle one around Florence The
rotten canvas split and the fraudulent
GRADUATED cork came pouring out in
stream Florence caught a handful
OF # and laughed geefully
at looks like breakfast food" she
said. Take II of. It's no good"
She unbuckled It and threw 1t on the
deck she made Blnker sit down and
eat by bis side aud put her hand In
his 'Whatll you BET we don't reach
the pier all right?" she said and be-
gan 10 hum n song
And now the captain moved among
the passengers and compelled order.
nhe boat would undoubtedly make her
slip. be said. and orae,t SIC women
and children TO the bow where they
could land first. The boat. very low
In the water at the stern. tried gal
lantly TO make his promise good
FLORENCE" said Blinker as she held
him close by an arm and hand. Il love
you"
That's what they all say" she re-
piled nghtly
Il am not one of they all. he per-
sisted. Il never knew any one could
love before | could pass my life with
you and be happy every day ! am
rich. l can make things all right for
you.2
That's what they all say" said the
girl again. weaving the words into her
little reckless song.
Don't say that again." said Blinker
10 a tone that made her look at him in
frank surprise
"Why shouldn't say it?" she asked
calmly. "They all do"
"Who are 'theyT" he asked jealous
for the first time in his existence.
"Why. the fellows know"
''Do you know so many?"
ooh, well. I'm not a walflower." she
answered. with modest complacency.
where do you see thcse-these men?
At your homer
"Of course not | met them just as |
lid you-sometimes on the boat. some
lines In the park, sometimes on the
Itreet I'm a pretty good judge of
nan. | can tell In minute If fellow
s one who is likely to get fresh"
what do you mean by 'freshT"
"Why. try to kiss you-me. / mean"
"Do any of them try that?" asked
,linker. clinching his teeth.
"Sure. All men do. You know that" (
DO you allow themf" (
"Some: not many They won't take }
on out anywhere unless you do" I
She turned her head and looked (
at Bllnker. Her eyes were
S innocent as a child's. There was J
uzzled look in them. as though she
Id not understand him.
Whats wrong about my meeting
,llows?" she asked wonderingly
Everything" he answered almost
lvagely why don't you entertain
)ur company in the house where you
veg Is il necessary 10 pick up Tom,
lex and Harry on the streetsy"
She kept her absolutely ingenious
res upon his
"If you could see the place where J
ve you wouldn't ask that. | live in
rickdust row. They call II that be-
use there's red dust from the bricks }
over everything. I've lived (
ere for more than four years. There's
, place TO receive company. You
MT have anybody come to your room.
hat else is there 10 do? girl has (
i TO meet the men. hasn't sheT'
"Yes." he said hoarsely. "A girl has
I TO met a--has got TO meet the men"
The first time one spoke to me on
e street. she continued. Il ran home
a cried all night. But you get used
IT, meet good many nice fell
VS. at church. | go on rainy days
d stand In the vestibule until one
mes up with an umbrella. | wish
ere was parlor SO ! could ask you
call, Mr. Blinker. Are you really