Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-29
Drawn by Henry Dnrnlins.
THE ISLAND.

Tell us a story. grandpa, tell us a
story" was the cry of three eager chill
drcn. all in their nightics,, ready, for
bed.
Well we'll" grandpa said laying
aside his newspaper, come. Edith, sit
here on my right knee, jennie, you sit
OH my left knee, and. Bobbie, suppose
you sit on this little stool at my feet.
Now, are we all ready
Yes. sir" the children said after
taking their appointed places.
Now, what shall my story be about?''
asked grandpa strolting his whiskers
On, tell about the old grizzly bear"
pleaded Bobby.
no, no." Edith said. tell about King
Midas"
...oh, please don't grandpa, know
both of those by heart" chimed in
Jennie.
well, WELL" grandpa said. laugh
ing. Suppose I tell YOU ~ real new
one, one that YOU have never heard
before"
oh. yes, please do" the children
said what is II callcd?'
1T goes by the name. of The Is
land" grandpa said, and this is the
way it ram"
Many. many years ago. when ] WAS
young man, started across the ocean
on boat by the name OF Augusta. The
day on which We set sail was u beau
tiful one in spring. The birds were
singing gaily. while all around little
green buds could be seen pceping about.
With a merry song sprang on board
the Augusta, and not long after we set
sail For many days we sailed along
on the peaceful waters, the sailors
were all very agreeable. and the cap
tain seemed to DC the best OF men. but
at last things became quite different.
II happened In this way: The captain
had OH this evening taken two much
q
ish. Many. of the sailors had Joined In
with him. ana at last Il and another
young man, Jimmie Walker. were the
only ones who refused 10 drink. At
first the captain tried to persuade us to
drink and, as we still refused, he de-
mandcd that we should be thrown over
board. Jimmie and saw no chance
OF escape, hut even then, we would not
yield.
-" Take your choice the captain
Numbered. drink or drown
Perhaps we had better drink"
Jimmie whispered, but remained firm
You are given five more minutes to
declde."tthe captain roared. rs he cross
! ed TO another end of the boat. ! saw
that there was way in which we
! could conquer him. also saw that
ne was n very headstronE man When
started and that he intended 10 have
his own way. and now that he was
under the influence of liquor he was
a':inanlto be feared. While | WAS thss
thinking, [ suddenly saw in the dis
lance some land, which later proved
! to he an island. GraspinE Jimmie by
the arm, said: "All's safe. come. let's
take q dive" Then I,plunged into the
water and Jimmie followed. Tho sail
ors stood on board and gaZed at us
In amazement. but to them We paid
no attention. Already we were swim
ming. and gradually getting nearer
and nearer, to the island.
After n pretty good swim. we reach
cd il, and jumping on shore. we found
| ourselves surrounded by pretty trees
and vines, In the midst of which was
a pretty little cottage Going up TO
this. we raped on the door. and pres
emily our knock was answered by "a
very old man. welcome. welcome"
he cried feebly. 'Tt does me much
good to see the face of II white man
latter all OF these long years"
IL as few words as possible Jimmie
and told :his old man of our misfor-
tune. and inquired II we might get
food and shelter for the night
Certainly. certainly was the an
swer. las L have said before, YOU are
welcome"
And why are YOU here by YOUR
self?" inquired.
II am the last of party THAI came
mere to settle" ne answered. About
five years ago ] and n crowd of men
came mere with the purpose of plant
ing colony. But. alas: the men grew
tired, and at last went away, leaving
mo here by myself" o.
"But could Won not hail some YES
sci to take YOU home" again asked
II have no home" the old man said
But" he added. w;stfully, won't YOU
two stay here with me? You may live
in my home unit! YOU are able TO build
one for yourself, and then by and by /
we shall have quite n little village
here"
Aud so Jimmie and decided to
make our homes on the island, and 7
later other people Joined us. And now,