Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-01-06
An Imaginary
Feast
! A1hanksgiving DayStory
By cLARIssA MAcKIE

\ n hssAhS no
+ By CLARIssA MAcKIE
T,-s--s-iss-ii-ii-s-it-ssssssssss sitssi
They had started out In Jack Hen
shaw's cabined launch for a cruise
among the islands, with duck shooting
as their object. It was fair day IN
November, with an Indian summer
warmth that did not hint Of a sudden
change In the weather. There were six
in the party-Frank Carew and his
wife, Mr.. and Mrs. Bob Hayden and
pretty Phyllis Hayden and Jack Hen
shaw. The three women occupied the
cabin of the launch. and the men made
themselves comfortable with blankets
and sailcloth on deck.
The first day had passed unevent-
fully. without even a shot at duck.
The second passed likewise. and the
third dawned in the same glow OF am
Der haze and ruddy sun.
ut looks very much as though we
would have to return without those
promised ducks for Thanksgiving
day." observed Jack restlessly as he
took the wheel after breakfast.
"If it would blow up bit colder we
might bag few today. II my pro
phetic instinct serves me right those
clouds yonder look like wind and
rain" Bob Hayden pulled out cloud
Of smoke end leaned lazily over the
rail.
1T hope it doesn't storm. II we don't
hurry we won't get back to Cromore In
time for dinner tomorrow" said bis
wife.
whats the matter with Thanksgiv'
Ing dinner aboard the NautilusT asked
her owner.
ut would be perfectly lovely, OF
course, only you know It couldn't seem
like a real Thanksgiving feast Every.
thing is timed or bottled. All the
Thanksgiving ever remember are
accompanied by the aroma Of delicious
goodies cooking in the kitchen"
Enough said" returned Jack grim
Iy. you spurn my invitation to din
ner; therefore 1t Is up to me 10 turn
and beat it for Cromore. We will
have barely time to make It before
nightfall."
They might have done 80 easily had
not those threatening clouds gradually
massed toward the zenith and slowly
covered the rest Of the blue sky. Their
came a thick blanketing fog that blot
ted out the world and left them iso
lated TN q dense white world Of drip
ping moisture.
There was CONSERVATION aboard the
Nautilus after that. Those November
togs were very deceiving. and 1t might
be many hours. perhaps days. before
the mist lifted. II they could keep II
the winding channel among the islands
they would be all right but II they
missed their way and nosed around
outside In the track Of the big steam
ers there was no knowing what would
be the fate Of the little craft and bel
passengers.
They anchored for awhile. and then
impatient Of the delay that would pre-
vent them from arriving home In time
for Thanksgiving dinner. they started
out again. feeling their way. Lach
Henshaw at the wheel and Frank
Carew blowing the siren at intervals
Bob Hayden and the three women re-
manned in the cabin and played bridge
by the light Of the lamp. 1t was very
cheerful In there. away from the fog
Jack Henshaw stared at the lighted
windows Of the cabin and thought
rather ruefully that bis task would be
more attractive II Phyllis Hayden
would come out and share his turn al
the wheel.
The little Nautilus felt her way
among the hidden rocks in the chan
mel that snnked among the little islands
ind it seemed that hours passed be-
fore the fog thinned sufficiently fol
them to glimpse the dark bulk Of an
island near at hand.
With the lifting Of the fog. which
was driven before nasty easterly
wind. the channel became unpleasantly
choppy, changing to dashing waves at
the wind increased.
While they debated whether to 60 or
or to make an anchorage among the
islands their fate was decided FOL
them. A big wave rushed along the
narrow channel lifted the Nautilus
upon its crest and sent her crashing
upon the rocks Of the nearest island
where she wedged tightly between two
powders.
It all came 80 suddenly that the
duck hunters hardly realized what had
happened before Jack Henshaw hustled
them ashore with their belongings.
"She's sprung a leak, big hole In
her port bow. We can't do a thing
except to carry a couple Of lines ashore
and fasten them to some Of those large
cedars"
he was hurrying them ashore with
their burdens Of hastily snatched
clothing and bedding. he followed
with all the provisions he could gather
and later sent the small oil stove from
the galley. By scrambling over the
slippery rocks they could reach the
firm white beach where ancient cedars
fringed the foot Of the sand bluffs.
Here the women waited while thu
three men made the Nautilus fast II
her cradle among the rocks In thu
manner suggested by Jack. When al
was completed the six pleasure seek
ers gathered ruefully about their pos
sessions.
"Goedby. Thanksgiving dinnerr' sait
Carew in a hollow tone.
"And nobody knows how soon W
may get to Cromore for any meals
added Mrs. Carew mournfully.
Phyllis Hayden and Jack Henshav
exchanged glances Of amusement. II
them the adventure savored Of 70