Year: 1879

lines of timber ways,n or slides, were laid down heading into the water, se- curely fastened together, and then liber- ally spread with grease and oil. Then, under Ralph's directions, two-inch blanks were laid side by side on the ways till a platform was made one hundred and eighty feet long and about twenty feet wide in the center More men began to arrive, and every one who could drive nails was promptly engaged, and within an hour forty men were at work on the new boat.

 With chalk ana 1ne Ralph struck a line through the center of the platform, and from this struck out a curved line on each side, and then bade the men saw off the blanks to the curved line. This gave long slender platform. ten feet wide at the upper end, or stern, twenty feet wide near the center, and running off to 8 long slender point at the lower end, or bows, of the future boat. Then upon this platform was laid a rough coat of paint, dozen men ply ing the brushes at once, and then came more blanks, laid lengthwise. The two platforms were cut to the same form, and were quickly spiked together.

 The men suggested that such long and slender raft would never hold to- gether.

 "Wait and see,'' said Ralph. "Now for the scantling we have been getting out at the mill. Bring it down by the cart-loa Now, men, have your bits ready for boring nail-holes in the stuff. Make the holes 8 foot apart the whole length of the strips"

 In moment or two several pieces of scantling were ready, and taking one in hand Ralph laid it along the edge of the raft and nailed it down, then another, till strip had been laid entirely round the raft. As the strips were long and flexible, they were easily bent to fit the curved. lines of the platform. At the upper end the cross pieces were nailed together, and at the bow end the strips were brought to point and fitted to an upright piece set up at the end of the platform. Then through the center of the platform was laid another strip from end to end, while at intervals of about five feet cross pieces were laid from side to side.

 'Now, men, you see my Idea. Lay strip over strip, and nail them firmly one to the other through the holes, til the sides are six feet high break the joints of the strips and nail-holes; lay on the paint freely as you go, and we shall soon have steamboat without ribs The cross pieces will brace her, and he'll carry big cargo, even if she isn't very pretty"

 Tine men, unaccustomed to marine architecture, greeted this novel system of bodybuilding with pleasant surprise, and went to work with a will. More men arrived, and the chatter of twenty hammers going on at once made the woods ring. The sun went down, and tCJ 1r,1 li inht Tod X hoy was sent round for the mems suppers that there might be no delay. The pas sengers of the wrecked steamer were be- slowed in sundry farmhouses, Farmer Besant taking his share at stwo dollars each. The news of the boat building spread quickly, and the people Hooked down to the mili-yard to see the work, and with them came all the passengers. Among them came Farmer Besant and the captain of the Pioneer. The farmor walked about the curious structure now rapidly rising, and seeing the enormous consumption of scantling, he remOn- strated in no pleasant mood.

 What right have you to use up your customers stuff in this way?n

 " He's failed" said Keystone, without topping his work.

 "How do you know? He may claim it, and you are spelling thousands of feet of good stuff on a piece of folly"

 Don't know about that," said big fellow near by Its about the smart est idee I ever seen. Guess you belong East, young man?"

 Massachusetts. I've seen many boat built without ribs, though none quite so big. She'll carry your cargo, captain"

 "Oh. she will when she's declzed. I say. young feller, don't you want to sell her just as she standsP"

 No. She is to be steamboat"

 Farmer Besant felt confirmed in his views of young Keystone. He was a born fool-come from the very home of lunatics and visionaries.

 :" Ill give you three hundred dollars tor her just as she stands, and finish her myself" -

 ''The Jane is not for sale"

 "Jane for sale? Don't insult the girl, Mir Ralph"

 "A little more paint-lay it on thick!" Then he turned away to drive more nails.

 Farmer Besant went home, intending to tell J ane of the insultshe had received. He would never speak to Keystone again, neither should Jane. Luckily Jane had gone to bed when he returned and knew nothing of the building of the boat.

 Morning came and saw the sides of the boat well advanced. Some men left for home and rest, and others took their places. Even some ot the passengers volunteered as painters and nail-drivers. There was no thought of the Sabbath. The excitement of the wreck, the arrival of so many strangers and the boat build ing brought everybody out of doors, and the yard was filled with people watching the progress of the work.

 Among them came one with shining eyes and a rosy blush upon her face. The name of her lover was on every tongue. The marked approval of the captain of the steamer, and the enthusiasm of his engineer, won the confidence of the rural population. Keystone had always been considered an eccentric sort of fellow, but now, after all, there might be some thing in him. These things she heard and treasured in her heart. She kept