The Van Buren press., 1869-11-23
Sometimes when could get up suff

cicnt courage to do 80, would go down
to the Point and join them, but these oc-
casions were rare, because ] could not
make sure that Florence wanted rae to
disturb them often. True. she always
smiled, and made room for me on the
rock where she found seat, but she did
not smile much, and she had way OF
looking ont to sea which made me fancy
she was dreaming dreams in which
could have no part.
Stanford was not 80 particular. He
was down at the Point almost every day
VIXEN the Waynes were there, and the
smell of his cigar and his light laugh
aoated landward together on the sea
breeze. ~. .sf
1t was in July that the manufacturing
company in which all my property ~as
invested, failed and left me very nearly
penniless. 1t was plain that / must 60
TO work, and was courageous enough
to be willing to take hold OF anything
which offered. But the times were dull
workmen plenty, and work scarce, and
in spite of all my efforts, nothing pre-
scented itself to me to do.
Twas gloomy and down hearted for the
most part, and everything looked cheer
less and apprehensiye. In this mood, one
gray September day, strolled down to
the Point l had not expected any ono
would be there, but as ] turned an angle
Of the path, I saw Florence in water.
proef cloak and hood, in her old seat
and ! caught out in the surf the CLEAN OF
Mr. wayne's rcd bathing suit.
Even as l gazed, and before l had
spoken to her, sharp cry broke from
Florence, and ! saw with dismay that Mr.
Wayne had got beyond his depth, and
not being able 10 swim, the undertide'
which was very strong at that point, was
sucking him under in spite OF his deter.
mined efforts 10 resist it.
In q msment l was buffcting the waves
and though l am strong man and an ex'
ira good swimmer, must confess that
more than once was on the eve OF Civ
ing over and letting fate dispose Of both
myself and the helpless burden with which
was trying to reach the shore.
But the sight Of Florence standing on
the sands, her face white as dcath--hel
arms extended towards us, gave me
strength, and by and by, more dead than
alive, succeeded in laying the old man
a. his daughters feet. And / would have
risked my life over and over again foi
the sake OF hearing her say again as she
said then.
civilian Morton, may Heaven ever
bless you! You have saved oil have to
love-"
Paul Stanford was on tho spot almost
much out OF breath
and very pfofuse in his protestations OF
sympathy. He had witnessed the danger
Of MIR. Wayne from Colney's Hill, a quar-
all hasta, but toe late to be OF material
assistance. He hoped, however, that
Miss Wayne would not refuse him the
pleasure Of supporting her father to theil
cottage
And 50 by his superior tact and address
he managed to secure for himself what
was dying to ask for, the privilege Of ac-
companying them homo.
But Mr.. Wayne remembered with graft
tude the service l had done him. Three
days afterward | received letter from
the president of the Shore Line and Point
Pleasant railroad, saying that l could
have the situation Of station agent and
signal tender at Bachlay's bridge. The
salary was liberal one, considering the
duties to be performed, and ] was in
debtcd for the offer OF the situation to
Mr.. Wayne, who WAS a personal friend
of tho president.
OF course | accepted the position. ]
was in need of employment, and this
place would pay me a better salary than
could hope to earn anywhere else by
manual labor alone. 1t was trust OF re-
sponsipility, but prided myself on my
and integrity, and had no fear
in regard to being able to do my duty.
The management Of the switches came
under my supervision, and also to the
ordering of the draw " which had been
fixed in the bridge to allow vessels to
pass through BY day we used balls as
signals--if the draw was open, two green
balls were hoisted from the standard q
few rods below the dIaw If it was closed
and all was right, tive red balls significd
that fact to the engineers.
BY night, red and green lanterns were
substituted for the balls So you will
readily understand that any failure on the
part of the station master to attend close
ly to his duties might send some passing
train to destruction in the twinkling OF
all eye.
For two months everything went like
clock work had an efficient assistant
in John Sttson, porter who had been
employed at tho bridge for ten years, sand
knew all the ropes"
saw Florence not unfrequcntly y--she
often went to the city-and always came
into the Office for her ticket Once When
the carriage did not come for her from
the cottage, ] drove her home in my own
buggy, and had the felicity of holding
her soft hand q moment in mine rs lifted
her out.
From the time took possession of the
railway station, Paul Stanford had begun
to manifest sort Of friendship for me-
| had strong suspicious that it was as.
sumed. though it seemed real enough
And indeed what particular object he
could have in ieigning a friendship FOR
me which he did not feel, / was at II loss
to imagine.
received his advances with GOODNESS
which would have rcpulscd most men,
but il seemed to have no effect on him.
lie smoked his cigars in my little private