The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-23
Clam
Chowder

ter's expenses at college. As soon az
the school year closed. Tommy was
OF for parts unknown. and 1t woxld
have interested his friends nightly
II they could have seen him living
like Robinson Crusoe on an island OF
the coast of Maine. catching his own
fish. setting his own lobster pots.
planting vegetables in tiny garden
and making chowder out Of handful
of clans. two potatoes and an onion.
That the result Of the last.named
recipe was a2petizing was proved by
the fact that four people landing on
the beach from a motor boat shifted
with appreciation.
Its clambake." said the young
est of the crowd. girl in white
serge suit with short blue REFER.
"Oh, I'm so glad. for ! am starved
Further progress showed fire
with a small iron pot set over the
Goals. A savory steam rose from the
pot.
"But there isn't much of It," said
the girl.
"'Who's been eating my soup""
quoted gay voice, and around the
corner of sandhill came Tommy
"Oh," said the four intruders. star.
ing. And we'll might they stare, for
while Tommy lived like Robinson
Crusoe. he wore snowy white MILDLY
blouse and white trousers. his fair
hair was brushed up from his fore.
head and shone in the sunlight. and
his strong young figure showed the
effect OF good training and outdoor
sports.
I'VE don't mean to intrude," said
the Oldest lady OF q crowd. but we
are exploring the islands: we didn't
know this one was inhabited"
"And there's something the matter
with our boat" said the girl In the
blue REFER. land being women. we
don't know how to fix It."
Delighted" said poor Tommy
"Dut l hope you're not keen for
chowder. There's only a taste. You
see, l cook for one; but such as 1t is.
it's yours"
He busted himself in serving the
simple meal. And while he worked
he listened. The girls name. he dis
covered, was Helena.
"You enjoy living the simple life?"
said the oldest dame, whose name
was Mrs. Griggs.
Tommy nodded. "It's great" he
said. III you will stay for supper
we'll have broiled Ash and baked
potatoes. and there's some lettuce left
in my garden"
well stay" said the girl. III you'll
fix our boat"
All that afternoon Tommy tinkered
and the girl watched him while the
three elderly ladies took nap In
the warm sand.
Then Tommy went out and caugh,
fish. and broiled It over the Goals
"And I'm sorry to tell you. ladies'.
no said. as he served 1t, that youl
boat isn't mended, and that you vii
have to make yourselves comfortable
for the night. | shall be glad to offel
you the hospitality Of my tent. In thu
morning a boat stops here with provi
sions. You can leave on that"
Since there was nothing else to b
done, they consented, and after thu
fish was eaten Tommy and the cir
walked down the beach.
They talked of many things; ant
Tommy lay awake half the night
wondering how he had believed tina
life was worth living until now.
He slept on the other side of tn
sandhill from the tent. and walked a
dawn. After a plunge In the sea. h
went forth in his snowy white sui
to face the sunrise.
The girl was up and came down Il
the beach to meet him in the still
ness Of the wonderful morning.
"The sea Is like a pearl" sh
whispered, land the sky like al
opal"
Tommy was breathing quickly
Look here" he said. The boa
comes early. and before it comes w
got something to say to you-some
thing to say-to YOU"
She smiled up at him frankly.
Look here" he said. again, your
the most wonderful thing in tn
world. Yesterday I was a boy tryin,
to 60 through college and living an
old way in the summer to help NEE
expenses. Today I'm man. read
to fight life to the finish to-get You
Il haven't right to ask anything
of you. but I've got to tell you this
that II you don't find the one ma,
before I can come to You and fight
out with the rest of them. that yo'
won't compromise and take SOM
other fellow just because you're tire
of waiting for the real thing
Then because he saw Mrs. Grigg
at the door of the tent, he went u
the sands to meet her, and the cir
was left standing where his BURNING
words had beat upon her.
Breakfast was feast at which III
three older ladies ate heartily OF lot
ster. ard at which Tommy and III