St. Mary's beacon., 1858-04-22

her side Ill = evening advanced, weari-
ness made her - 3 Ids droop, and she nodded
herself into - .na sleep Is the little drea-
uner IN llcf 1naz lap. The father sat near
/ " opposit4 'o'sl'. npun IN old chest that
contaia lie ionked haggard, pale
md dis KIe had ! long time sat with
I'D 8.,en his hand, IN abstract
e sx3v md llaen looking towards
II Elsgs,sh he had something
a'sl klarea not litfes. Al
- : tpsae, ii which ticrs
0fe = n.sintness, =
aasAss. - si.sAiirl he shaII put Us On
"What for :" was her astouished, wondering
reply.
.'I've no money, Mary After brought
you on board | went back to G-'s to try
my luck once more, and the scoundrels won
every dollar. Tie knaves they've cheated
me! If could cnly have time to try nv luck
again, I'd soon have shown them could win
as roundly as they"
In giving vent to his excitement. he forgot
for the moment, the consequences which his
gratitied passion had already brought upon his
helpless family, and angrily starting up, paced
the narrow space about them with flushed and
scowIing face
Poor Mary had received the tidngs of her
new misfortune with suppressed groan. hut
now her emotion was only visible in the silent
tears that fell thick and fast, while she encir-
cled her unconscious children more closely in
her arms. She remembered the many davs
and nights of weary toll she had endured to
gather portion of the little sum that was to
convey them away from the scenes Of her suf-
fering, and with which they were to secure an
humble home farther West. But now all was
gone. The bright anticipations of home OF
their own, in some quiet spot, had long been
her strength, and many an hour of sorrow had
been lightencd with the thought that one day
they should till their own land. that she should
see the bright grain waving and the prairie
flowers springing luXuriantly around their
dwelling; and her heart beat with iov as. in
imagination, she saw her children bounding
upon the green sward, and breathing the fresh.
pure air, that had been thus far denied them :
and, above all she would see her husband freed
from the influences that drew him and his
hard earnings to the gaming tables with such
magnetic witchery, despite all his resolutions
and promises. But poor Marys imagination
had travelled too fast, and her happy dreams
were all crushed now. No word of repru,ch
escaped her lips, though she shuddered as she
listened to the night-wind, and thought how
soon they should be without shelter. Her un-
complaining sorrow touched the heart of the
gambler, and again he threw himself down
upon the old chest, and burying his face in his
hands, awaited the summons he momentarily
expected from the captain.
There they sat till midnight approached
Quiet had taken the place of the noisy confil-
sion OF the evening, as one after another drop
ped away in slumber. The heavy rmblinc
sound of the machinery fell painfully upon the
nervous ear of the gambler, as he listened 10
the approach of every football, till suddenly
the sound ceased, and only the rushing waters
and the dismal whistling of the wind broke
the stiffness. Presently the captain, accom-
panied by u man bearing lantern, appeared
and ordered the unwelcome passengers for
ward. They arose, and without word obeycd
the summons.
The boat was>alrctdy lowered, and two men
at the oars awaited orders. Mary prepared t.
descend, and placing the babe in her young
daughters arms, with word of caution turned
from them, and in a moment more was safely
seated in the boat. BY the dim light of the
lamp she watched the coming of Anna, with
her precious burden, and with anxious fear saw
them lifted to the boats edge. She reached
forward to secure them. but Anna tottered and
in moment was pIungc'l into the rolling
waters. A shrill shrek rent the air and rang
through the boat with such wild agony as
awoke every sleeper.
my child! Ny Anna cried the frantic
mother, as she gazed vanly in the dark waters
that closed over her loved ones
''Save them save them! she still Shrieked
while she struggled to throw herself after them
though firmly held by one of the oarsmen
The other plunged into the river while half a
dozen lights flung a broad seam upon the wa
ter, and enabled him to discern any object that
appeared.
The father pecrcd into the distance with a
keen quick gaze, and then gave a loud shout
as dark mass rose TO the surface. With a
few expert strokes the swimmer reached
Anna, as she was sinking beneath the waves
again, and with a strong hold he grasped and
bore her safely b the arms of the distracted
mother, who folded the dripping, exhausted
child. to her bosom. Still she shrieked-
"My child my babe is gone oh, save him
too" And with wild gestures she entreated
them to find it.
What does she mean !" asked the astonished
oarsman.
Anna had the babe in her arms when l
lifted her down to you," replied the excited
and bewildered father.
Without another word, the generous boat
man plunged into the water again, and glided
here and there in search of the lost. In vain
the lights flashed nithtr and :hither. throwing a
long streakof brightness to the shore. Nothing
was visible, and hope sank in the hearts of the
lookerson who had gathered upon deck, and even
the harsh captain pitied the mother, as he heard
her agonized sobs. when the seach was ahan-
doned, and the boatman returned, chilled and
wearied. from his fruitless Efforts. No one
spoke, and many eyes still anxiously watched
the ruffled waters. Amid the silence. save
the half stified grief of the bcreavcd mother,
TO boat glided slowly away, the oars dipping
lightly into the waters that had eIabossnnlc,l
the sleeping babe. On and On they softly
moved, till the boat-lights glimlnered in tic
distance, and they could see the wavy lines OF
the shore, and tie dark wood that borGered it.
Close upon the shore stood few hainlets
and here in the midnigh, darkness, they left
the mol,eyless gambler. his strickened wife.
and the ha!f-drOwned Anna. Poor Mary sat