Smyrna times., 1870-02-02
A Waif.


/ can recall neither the day nor the hour,
but the incident am about to relate is as fresh
in my mind as if it had happened yesterday.
l was lingering at small watering place situa-
ted on the rocky shores of the east coast of
Scotland. The ordinary visitors had already
fled, dreading the high winds and terrific storms
which were of frequent occurrence at that time
of year, and it was only few hardy ones like
myself who still found pleasure in facing the
raging elements of wind and water combined
1t had been a more than usually stony night
and many an anxious heart had watched
through its vigils for it seemed as if some ter
rible disaster must be heralded by the bomng
sound of the waves, and the screeching of the
wind when it found opposition to its course in
the shut doors and windows of the little ham
let. But morning broke at last and brought a
few wintry CLEANS of sunlight to brighten the
agltated atmosphere, though the waves still
could not forget their angry roaring, and dash
ed against the rocks as though bent on their
destruction.
/ wandered along the lowline of sand which,
broken as it is into many small bays, runs un :
der the high beetling cliffs of the shore, and
reached one of the most retired of these spots.
Here l sat down on fiat rock, which guarded
the. entrance of the bay, to enjoy the beauty
and majesty of the scene. | had not long sat
tiOns by low whining sound, and, looking
down, saw dog standing before me. Its coat
was dripping with water, one of the fore-fee:
covered with blood, and the sad wisttul look
IN Its eyes went to my heart. | gently patted
Its. head, and taking piece of bread from my
pocket, offered it some but the animal scarcely
even glanced at it and only continued to look
at me with that sad searching gaze, as if ask
ing assistance. After while he turned little
way back on the sands and laid himself down
casting look toward me. My curiosity and
interest were both aroused, and followed. A
first could see nothing; but presently from
under the paw Of:the animal, which was placed
protectingly upon it, drew out little glove
only little well worn chllds glove-where lifi
seemed still lingering, so completely had it re
tanned the form of the fingers which had onc
worn It, l cast my eyes over the wide waters
but no sign of life or death was there; only tn
mute token in my hand spoke of both LonJ
] searched up and down the shore, but in vain
The poor little body must have been carried on
to sea, and was never found, as far as | know
=" All little one, | sighed, have the greed
waves, then, required such holocaust as thou
young, Innocent, and fOrlorn; and is there n
mourner for thee save this faithful dog, and n
monument save this little glove? At least"
continued, as | folded it carefully into my por
tohO, lit shall live in my memory, and thor
poor creature, in my affections" l stopped,
/ spokesto caress the still PROSTATE animal, an
so great had been the absorption of my feeling
that had not marked the incoming tide bI
now wave rushes swiftly up, and though WI
still beyond its reach it wrapped its coronal
! foam round the weak and wasted form of Il
faithful dog, and carried it helplessly back int
3 the ocean. One short, sharp bark, one feeb
s struggle, and the brave heart sank to rise I
3 more. It is long since this happened, but IL
3 glove still lies in my pOcket.boOk and te
= lies in my heart whenever recall its guardian
n fate