Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-06-11
WHOLE NUMBER 1867.

the boatH be swamped in ten minutes
eve stay with you" said Mary, walk.
ing up to Mr. Jones, and placing her
little hand in bis rough, brown paws.
That settled the question for her and tho
rest of us.
The men cleared away leaky b, a;
that lay bottom upward on the house
amidshps, and, casting of, vanished in
the darkness. Mr.. Jones told us to keep
where we were, while he went aft for n
moment.
We watched him cautiously working
his way aft to the wheel-housc, which
was still standing. Presently, he came
IN sight again, carrying life-bouy. Wo
knew for whom it was intended.
But just as he had passed beyond the
line of danger, he was struck by
mighty wave that tore him from his
hold, and dashed him against the stump
OF the mainmast. Receding, the vase
left him clinging to bolt, but unable to
rise. Dick and dragged him forward,
and laid him with his head in Mary's lap.
The brave fellow never lost. his hold of
the life-preserver.
lie was insensible for few rnements,
aud on coming out of his swoon, said
"Tell her to keep this on. We must be
ear the shore, and if she holds together
tillilaylight, they may get line to u.s."
but are you hurt, dear Mr.. Jones %
cried Mary.
'l'm done for. Miss" he answered,
shortly. "My legs broke and my ribs is
stove in. Why, the - don't some
body hist that lantern where it can be
seen ~
We took the ships lantern, which was
still aglow, and fastened it TO tie head
of the foremast, which had been broken
at the sings of the yard.
II hope You fellows knows what to do
if they gifts a line aboard q he asked,
doubtfully.
We assured him that we dill. Tacn
silence Tell upon us, as we sat waiting
for death, or dawn.
We were huddled together under the
lee of the bulwarks. The old gentleman
never said word, but, from the frequent
movement of his lipg, was doubtless
praying for our safety. Dick, who was
the coolest of men, filed and lighted his
pipe, confidently expressing his conviction
that the ship would hold together until
daylight. Mary was silent, stroking
with gentle hand the weather-beaten
brow of the second mate. Did her ten
derness spring from remorse at having
won his love, or was it possible that she
really cared for him? Who shall know
the fathomless mysteries of woman's
heart ?
Hours had passed when Mr. Jones
suddenly opened his eyes, and asked,
"l1as anybody seen anything of the boat
vet 20
l looked over the side, and, by sin.
guIar coincident, caught sight OF boat
drifting by us, bottom upward.
The second mate actually laughed. 81
knowed," said be, ~ told 'em the boat
couldn't live in that sea. And if you
had gone with them fellows, it would a.
been all day with you by this time"
parent insensiblity. When next he
spoke, his mind was evidently wander
ing. 81 tell you," he suddenly cried, in
voice that startled us with its wild in
tensity. "that--chronomet wrong,
and we'll be ashore before morning.
And if that pretty young creetur's
drowned, I'll drowa the old man myself,
so help me God"
The night passed slowly on. The wind
gradually lulled, and the sea perceptibly went
down. Daylight will soon be here" cried
Dick, 1--WE shall be saved yet"
Mr. Jones raised his head, and looked ont
into the night. The calm and resolute look
had returned to his eyes. Il see the dawn.
boys" he said "slick by the ship. The seas
going down, and you're as safe as you was
ashore"
1--WE won't go ashore without you, Mr..
Jones' said Mary Il will nurse you day and
night until you are we'll"
"Nursin' won't do me no good, Miss Mary"
he answered. "You needn't take me ashore.
I'd great deal rather be hove overheard as
soon as the breath's out of me-"
"Its growing light FAST said Dick, after
another pause. But the second mate never
opening his eyes.
Miss Mary" he whispered in faint voice,
I'm agoin now. Just let me hold your hand,
if you don't mind"
She placed her hand in his, and a tear drop
ped on the hard, red face of Mr.. Jones.
DICK ana L ulu NOT venture 10 hppTOaCH
nearer to the awful presence of death.
Pm dyin', Miss, but I'm glad of II. l
couldn't have lived without the sight of you
and Tn happier now than IssYS WAS before"
The tears fell again, and the sweet girl bent
over and touched her pure lips to the forehead
of the dying man.
A bright smile softened his stern, worn face.
May God Almighty pay you for your good
ness" he whispered, huskily u don't knew
where Tn agoin' to, but if ever you come
there, you'll let me look at you sometimes.
won't you I'll never bother you, but could
not bear to have you cut me-"
A dull report came floating from the inyisi-
ble shore.
"There's the gum" es4ed Mr.. Jones. "They
see our light ashore, and they'll have surf
boat here before long. Gcodby, Miss Mary.
You'll make it all right for me up aloft, l
know. Tell IN obeyed orders, and done my
duty by the ship. Tell 'em you kissed me
when ! was adyin.' They won't be hard ON
me, if they kaow that. Make somebody take
the mates log-book ashore. He was all right;
but - the lubbcr that wrecked his ship with
fair wind. Let me look at your eyes once,
NJ. nol ho,,, I haya InvaI-Lh