Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-05-08
LOST AND FOUND.
THE STORY OF ONE BROTHER AND SISTER.

C6A tche CHalSe VI ueE. IL any udFul
should happen to Minnie, I should never
forgive myself for letting her go. Oh! if
were only able to take this voyage with
you!"
The invaded spoke earnestly, snd a
bright color burned on her wasted cheeks.
| 1t was long sea vsyage for her two
children to take from Singapore to Lon
don, with neither father nor mother to
accompany them. But Art ur Gray was
a brave, self-rehant boy; all his life had
been spent on the water, from early child
hood to the day when Capt. Gray and his
good ship went down together in the
Pacific, and Arthur, with only six of the
crew were saved No wonder that Mrs.
Gray dreaded that Arthur should make
another sea voyage SO soon. 1t seemed
unavoidable. Her little girl was Ian
gushing in the Indian heats, and more
than one consideration had decided Mrs.
Gray to send her to England by the next
steamer that should leave the port
Could she trust her alone with Arthur?
"Mother," said the boy, as much in
answer to his mothers look as to her
words Of anxiety, you know you can
trust me; believe me, Minnie is just as
safe with onl y me as she would be if you
were with US; so don't grievo for us"
The young English boy bentn,down to
kiss her cheeks and smoth the pillow for
her head, repeating his assurances, until
his mothers anxious heart was almost as
sured that all would yet be well.
The days passed quietly at sea, and, to
Arthur's great delight, each sea breeze
seemed to bring fresh color to Minnie's
cheeks; quite round and English-like
they were now, and she had been so pale
and dropping at Singapore. What pet
among the seanen was that sunny haired
little girl! Every day She would go with
her nurse to see the old man who was
working at the coil Of ropes, and he would
tell her long, long stories of the sea- till
she fell as eep with her head in the nurses
lap, fairly Wearied out With delight. At
very opportunity letters were sent to the
anxious mother in India, telling her that
all was well, that her children were safe
They were nearing home now; no storm
had alarmed them;-thus far it had beeu
safe and pleasant journey, and they
were steamng up the Atlantic, just of
the coast OF France when one morning
they were all awakened by a sitting
sm Ike IN their staterooms and by cries Of
alarm on deck.
Oh !! the weary mother who sat that
morning in her Indian home, would have
looked more anxiously than ever on the
dreary sea could she have foreseen her
children's danger. So near home, and
yet so far from help; for the fire had
broken out in several places, and the
flames gained ground rapidly. roaring like
hungry beasts impatient for their prey
Strong men grtw pale, and little children
| too frightened to cry, were clasped con
vulslvely in their mothers arms. One
little boat after another was filed and
sent to the land Such frail, die things
those little boats seemed, as they trembled
on the summit of wave. Or plunged des-
perately down in watery valley below
The last boat was rapidly being filled,
Arthur Gray stood helping in dark In
dian woman and haxen-haired little girl
"Artie, Artie, comep' cried the child,
but her voice was silenced by the roaring
OF the flames. Arthur looked at the tiny
boat, now crowded more than full, and
thought of his promise. HIS weight,
slight as it was, might make the fate Of
the boat more than hopeless. His resol-
ution was made in an instant; the boat
Was lowered, and they were separated,
The ship burnel low, almost to the
waters edge, and Arthur, with a few
brave, self-denying fellows, all older than
himself, launched fragile raft, commit
ted to the goodness of Him who ruleth
the raging sea and stilleth the waves
tn reof when they arise. So all that was
left of the good ship Leonore went down
In the sea.
That was a sweet June morning, and
the sun shone pleasant y on little vii
lage In the west Of France-on its abbey
gray with age, it's ivy draped church
and its dark trowning hall There lady
sat alone IN an eXqulsltely furnished
room, she was so beautiful her dress was
white, and of the most beautiful fabric
her hair was knotted up with pearls anc
gold Roses clustered around the win
dows, and threw their pearly snow int
the room as they bloomed and faded
She was SO very young, SO childish look
ing. and yet il such deep; deep sorrow
She was bending over table where the
lay an infants snowy dress and some littl'
toys A casket, richly inlaid was opel
on the table, displaying its contents--on
sunny, silken curl. And the lady Of tina
noble house bent over those tiny relics
and Wept as if her heart was breaking
Her husband entered with a noiseless step
and stood beside her. He did not speak
) but drew her to his bosom, and their tear