Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-30

couldn't have caught Il word. IS
Judge Talbot's sole reason for want
ing cottage at Bayshore was that
he had suddenly got il into his head
that he wanted to paddle Il canoes
Now, the judge weighed 200 pounds,
and he could not swim. but there is
no accounting for Il mans fadS. He
had been neither encouraged nor dis
couraged ut home, but after that talk
in the studio Miss Elsie began to take
fPryid interest in his fad. She went
with him TO see canoes. She offered 10
get his paddles hand painted. She
held up visions of him Swimming over
Long Island sound in the dusk of
evening in search of Hiawatha. All
this. but not another word about the
artist
AT last Judge Talbot and wife and
daughter were installed i'm their cot
tage at the shore. \ birch bark canoe
rested on the sands near by. Will Ora
ham. TOO. had taken up his abode at
his sisters. half mile down the shore,
with a skiff drawn up on the beach
ready for an emergency. a.
Judge Talbot never had known what
fear was until he had that canoe ready
TO launch. He made ready five differ
ant times before he gave il n trial, and
five different times his daughter hung
4 white rag on bush as 4 signal.
Then the Judge grew desperate. He
ridiculed himself and called himself q
coward and marched forth to do or
20 To ut ~, ~,
mouth of n creek. How he got from
the canoe to the bottom of the creek
No never conld explain but the feat
was accomplished. Ii was worked sue
ceSsfully three times in one day. On
the fourth trial he remained in the
canoe, much TO his own surprise.
Wherein the birch bark or any other
sort of canoe deceiveS everybody but
an Indian is in giving the canoeist con-
lidence TOO soon. The Judge reasoned,
like many another, that because the
little barkic had ceased to play circus
ii had decided 20 he good. and he re-
fused to believe that an ambush had
been prepared for him.
The sun WAS going down on the sec
ond day after the first capsize when
he made ready 10 enjoy the pleasures
he had Tong anticipated. The swallows
were flying homeward. the whippoor-
wills putting in their best licks, and
the spirits OF Il dozen Indian maidens
seemed to be lowering over the waters
and bidding him come. As he was
getting ready the white rag was hung
M. h. hn In St nh oS
he was gently pushed from shore by
his daughters hands long, rakish
craft took to the water half a mile
below.
1t took khe judge five minutes to as
certain whether he was frightened Or
eXultant. 1t took him three more to
decide whether 10 use the paddle or
tow him back TO shore. He finally
lifted the paddle and made stroke.
One was sufficientA The canoe had
been waiting for it. 1t turned bottom
mp like flash, and there We're screams
from the shore There were also shouts
from the man in the rakish craft. 1t
arrived just as the judges head APP
tered and coughed and gasped, but he
was not to be cut down in his prime.
A hand reached forth and clutched his
hair, and, with the other hand using an
oar, the rescuer lowed the victim tu
the beach.
BY and by, when the canoeist could
talk, he expressed his gratitude in
words that came from wet but CRATE
full heart. All at once he remembered
10 ask for the name of his preserver.
Miss Elsie took it upon herself to re-
ply:
Father, this is Mr.. Graham, the art
list. Wasn't it splendid that he hap
pened to be so near at hand!'
The judge turned and went into the
bungalow and sat down to think He
was thinking for twenty minutes; then
his judicial opinion was ready, and he
came out and delivered it.
Eyes, it was very splendid and very
singular that he happened along just