The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-06-27


Can you tell me, little one, if q man
by the name of Slrong halls from this
craft?' -...--.-
The blue eyes dilated with sweet wonder
at the strange language. e~a'3
i don't know what you mean
'Ain't used to sailors yarns, eh, little
sea bird? Well, then, can you tell me
who lives inside?' ~ .a s.a sd
His names Jason Strong.'
The very man that I'm AFTER" exclaim-
ed the sailor, setting his foot over the
Threshold, then, as if sudden thought
had struck him, he checked himself, and
looking down earnestly on the child, he
asked, Won't you tell me your name?'
I'm Minnie Blake Screen. ,-
He reached out the strong arm and
lifted the small. figure, and folded it up
closely, as mother does her newly found
child, to his heart. and the words came in
sob to his lips, my child, Pm your
father p
o thsre was wonder and joy in the car
penter's house that night, when it was
discovered that Minnie's father had re-.
turned to them-he whose hair they
thought had been dragged by the salt sea
waves for more than three years. He
had long story to tell of terrible mis-
adventures by land and sea-miscarried
letters, and years of sickness in strange
land, and at last OF restored health, of
tidings that had reached him of the death
of his wife, and of his daughters adop>
lion by their neighbor and his old play
mate, Jason Strong. .,'
And the carpenter in his turn, had o
mournful tale to relate of sickness and
poverty, and hopes deferred, but the sad.
dest part of the story was its conclusion.
"A hundred dollarsp growled the sailor,
and he drew out his piethoric pocket
book. old friend, you took my child
into your craft when the storm came down
the hardest. Your boy won't lie in jail
two hours longer
There was double joy ir the carpenters
house that night. Johnny Strong was
removed from Jail, for the sailor was as
/ good as his word, and lawyer was pro
! cured to plead the case of the carpenters
son, who did it so ably and eloqaently thai
the boy was acquitted, to the great aston.
isment ard rage of Squire Morton.
1'm tired of the seas, old friend, sale
; the sailor, cne evening, week after hi
return, as be sat in Jason Strong's kitche.l
Z with Minnie on his knee, her small brown
fingers futtering, like the wings of newl.
fedged birds, in his iron gray hair, 'aut
when lay out on an old raft, ore nigh
at sea. and it seemed as though ever
wave that went over US would be the las
that we could stand, I made solemn
, promise with my soul, that if God brough
me to see the shore again, I'd never leav
it to take another voyage for all the gol
, of the East Indies. . 'i2ai 7%3at
And We got thousand dollars, tha
! the old general gave me for tying his SO
to the raft and I've concluded to put
l into some acres of ground round here, an
turn farmer, for I amt quite forgot th
n old trade I was brought up to, ncr 20
. either, 1 reckon Jason, SO if you're q min
q to go into business with me, you shail hay
: half the profits, and it'll pay you bette
than jinnerin.' s 81
q Jason Strong cleared his throat twie
to answer, but the thoughts which ros
up in his throat choked back the word
and his wife spoke for him.
l It's beer the dream and hope o. father
, life, giving up his trade and getting hol
9 of q few acres of land to cultivate, b.
e we'd given up all hope of it afore this.
We'll, my friends, the Lord Don't fo
e get them that remember the widow ar
n the fatherless,' said the sailor, and he hui
ged up Minnie close to his heart.
is "a That's what said, father, that morni
s don't you know wound up the sol
y eager voice of the little pale faced woma
1t as she folded up her child's coat she ha
l. just mended. .8 ss.s : o5 ..fs.
Or Yes, I know, Esther, and know IL
unto you belongs all the praise, fer it W
Id God that put it into your heart to tai
the child s ...,.
: : "a.