Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-20
efforts of Charles Grayton, who was row


efforts of Charles Grayton, who was row
ing
STUFF and nonsensel' shouted tn,
fisherman, taking hold of Dora, who haC
taken thin but stout fishing line from
the locker of one of the boats lying upoI
the beach,
Let me go, let me go! | will saw
himl" screamed Dora biting him in thu
arm.
With muttered curse the man loos
ened his hold, and Dora sprang to thu
edge of the roaring sea.
I" Keep hold of the end of the linel
were the last words she uttered.
The next moment retreating wave
had carried her from the shore
Charles saw form run to the shore
and plunge into the dark waves HI
stopped rowing and half rose from his
seat as he shouted to his companion il
the boat
Some one is coming out. | also see
the men on shore acting as ifuncoiling a
line. If the fellow reach this boat, then
we are saved; if not, then God have
mercy upon our souls, for we will surely
drift toward the hog-baek reef / have
used the oars since the storm began, and
now can scarcely lift them up.
And / dislocated ry wrist when
leaped overheard and tried to lift myself
into your boat, cried the other.
Husbandl Charles% came family
from over the waters.
Grayton had sprung to his feet, and
holding on to piece of the little mast
which was still sticking in hole of one
of the boards he gazed over the waves.
Far, far below him, in the trough OF
the sea, he saw the white, upturned face
of hi7 wife, and again heard her pro-
nounce his name.
Instantly he fastened line to one of
the oars and threw it toward the appa-
rently exhausted woman; OF the same
time he shouted, Take hold, Dora; your
life depends on it.
Twice she missed the floating oar; the
third time it was in her grasp. A min
ute after, Charles drew the fainting
form of his wife over the gunwale of his
boat
Dora's first sense of returning life wfs
a dim consciousness of the odor of
water lilies. She opened her eyes AID
raised her hands to her brow A genial
warmth surrounded her, diffused from
the cheerful fire that blazed in the large
fireplace; and through the window
panes came the warm rays of sunshine
which alighted upon the head Of an old
man that was bending over her.
Father, dear fatherV murmured she,
lifting up her arms.
Ny child, our savior!" Sobbed the old
man, holding her in close embrace and
kissing her tear-dimmed eyes.
"Yes, our savorl' echoed her husband,
holding up to her gaze their little babe,
which was dancing with its little feet as
if conscious of the joy that reigned at
this moment within the room of Charles
abode.
al have but a dim recollection of tax
ing hold of the edge of the boat, then |
no more, said Dora, draw
ing her babe upon her bosom and kissing
its rosy cheeks.
Il found the line around your waist,
and after tying it to the ringbolt in the
bow | signalled to the man on shore to
pull. A short time after We were high
and dry. Ii was an awful Christmas
night, Dora, but God in Fs mercy has
spared our lives, said CHARLES, kissing
her pale brow
The old man lifted his hands as if in
"Glory to God on high--peace and
good will on earthl" he said, in a solemn
tone. "Yes, children, forgive what /,
in my vain pride, uttered against you
when you both begged me to give my
TO your union. An all-wise
had ordained that you should
become the saYior of my life That YES
sci, of which am the only survivor, be-
onged to me. l was on my way to Cape
81. Lucas. where | intended to stay the
.est of my life. When the brigantine
,truck the rocks / saw the boat of
Charles, and | sprsng toward it. He
lrew me in tbs boat Children, this is |
he last day you remain in this wretched |
lbode. | have already bought houses, !
md tomorrow we will be on our way to /
San Francisco. You shall never toll |
gain, Charles. / care not for the loss /
i my brigaBtipe; | still enjoy princely I
income, and we viii live henceforth to-
,ether."
The bright golden rays of the Christ
mas sun shole upon the happy group,
cd the glistening dust that danced in
he suabeams seemed to rejoice at the
Of father, daughter and
on-in-law Golden Era.