Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-06
LOST AND FOUND.

Now, Arthur, are you sure that you
can take charge of her2 If any harm
should happen to Minnie, l should'never
forgive myself for letting her 90. Oh
if l we're only able to take this voyage
with you" IN $3.50 s44L -
The invalid spoke earnestly, and a
bright coler burned on her wasted cheeks.
1t was long sea voyage for her two
children to take from Singapore to Lon
don, with neither father or mother to
accompany them. But Arthur Gray was
brave, self.reliant boy; all his life had
been spent on the water, from early
childhood to the day when Capt. Gray
and his good ship went down together in
the Pacific, and Arthur Gray with only
six Of the crew escaped. No wonder
that Mrs. Gray dreaded that Arthur
should make another sea voyage so soon.
1t seemed unavoidable. Her little girl
was languishing 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, "yeu know you can
trust me- believe me, Minnie is just as
safe with only me as she wonld be if you
were with us; so don't grieve for us.
The young English boy bent down to
kiss her cheeks and smooth the pillow
for her bead, repeating his assurances,
until his mothers anxious heart was
almost assured that all would yet be well.
She let them 60, Arthur and Minnie,
and Minnie's Indian nurse; Arthur felt
full of pride that his mother had placed
such confidence in him, and Minnie, too
Young to know either the perIls of the
way or the sorrowful void in her mothers
sick room at Singapore. And Mrs. Gray
was left alone in the land of strangers to
follow in Imagination the vessels track.
Day after day, as she watched the Indian
sunset she prayed, as mothers only can,
that God would bring her darlings safe
to land,
The days passed quietly at sea, and,
to Arthurs 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
q pet among the seamen was that sunny
haired little girl Every day she would
90 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 asleep with her
head in her nurses lap, fairly wearied
out with delight. At every opportunity
letters we're sent to the anxious mother
in India, telling her that all was well,
that her children we're safe. They were
nearing home now no storm had alarmed
them; thus far it had been safe and
pleasant Journey, and they were steam.
ing up the Atlantic, just off the coast OF
France, when one morning they were all
awakened by sitting smoke in their
statero0ms and by cries OF alarm on
deck. Ha
Oil the weary mother who sat that
morning in her Indian homo, 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 ont in several places, and the
flames gained ground rapidly, roaring
like hungry beasts impatient for their
prey. Strong men grew pale, and little
children, too frightened to cry, were
elasped cconvulsiVely in their mothers
armG. One little boat after another was
filled and lowered and sent to the land.
Such frail, idle things those little boats
seemed, as they trembled on the summit
of a wave, or plunged desperately down
in watery valley below. The last boat
was rapidly being filled, Arthur Gray
stood helping IN dark IRdian woman,
and a aaxen.haired little girl " Artle,
Artie. come p cried the child, but her
voice was sienced by the roaring OF
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 resolution. was
made in an instant; the boat was low
cred, and they were separated
The ship burned low, almost to the
waters edge, and Arthur, with 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 slilleth the waves
thereof when they arise So all that vas
left of the good ship LeOnOre went down
in the sea
That was a sweet June morning, and
the sun shone pleasantly on Q little vii
laee in the west Of Franee--ou its abbey,
cray with age, its ivy.draped church,
and its dark, frowning bali There a
lady sat alone in an eEquisitely furnished
room: she was 80 beautiful her dress
was white, and Of the most delicate TAB
RE her hair was knotted mp With pearls
aud gold. Reses clustered around The
80. II H. lLnir rnnrlr .nnw