The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-12-22
EVA, THE MAs0a's CHILD.

TAs the Masonic Festival of st.
johns Day-Dec 27th-will have
come and gone before our next publ
cation day, We trust our readers will
pardon us for giving place to the fol-
lowing beautiful sketch of the results
of the teachings of Masonry.-ED.
DEM
CHAPTER /.
Faster aud faster spread the flames,
and now the ship was enveloped in a
fiery sheet. Men and woman rushed
madly over the side to meet a quicker
but less painful death. The boats,
with one exception, had been over
loaded and capsized. There were
hasty prayers, and heart-rending cries
of misery and distress. Death how
cred, vulture-like, over his victims
some clung desperately to the vessels S
side, some supporting themselves in
the water by articles snatched hastily
from the burning ship, aud with which
they had leaped wildly into the sea-
The captain sang through his trumpet
take heart and sustain yourselves as
long as possible. A ship is coming to
our relief
James Durant stood upon the al
most deserted deck, with his only
child, but four years. of age, folded
closely in his arms. His eyes swept
the horizon in search of the ship 10
which the captain had alluded. Be
tore the ship could arrive, they must
he burned To death; or, if he sprang,
as others had, down into the water,
both he and the child would be drown
ed, for he was not a swimmer.
The little arms were twined about
his neck, the pale cheek rested contid'
ingly against his own, but the brave
child did not tremble.
20, my God, is there no help" cri.
ed the despairing father, as the flames
swept nearer, and he felt that his
present position could be held but 4
little longer.
Here, give the child TO me, and ]
will save her." and turning quickly
Mr.. Durant stood face to face with d
stranger who held life preservcr in
his hand.
Quick! there is no time to be lost
The child can have my life preserver
and il will float her easily. Ionder
is another ship; have been watching
il for the last five minutes. 1t will
reach us in halt an hour at the most
III ere, this is fastened securely. Now
little girl, am going to throw YOU
into the water. You are not AFRAID
No, no. but papa"
The father caught her frantically il
his arms.
My darling Eva, you may never
see your father again; but do not Tea
God will guard you, and somebod,
will find you and take care Of you
If you never see papa again. remcm
ber he is in Heaven with mamma"
HAS she no relatives" asked thu
stranger.
None in this country; l am from
England and travelling for her health.
"TaSe that pin from your bosom
and fasten it in her clothing"
Heaven help you for the thought,
said the father; and in a moment tn
square and compass was glislening oI
the bosom OF the child, and the stran
ger took her from her fathers arm;
saying: Il am stronger than you
she must be cast beyond the reach G
these poor drowning wretches, o
they will rob her OF her life preser,
err"
The white drapery fiuttered throug
the air, and sank below the waves
then rising, it fioated lightly on tn
waters.
James turned to the stranger wit
fearful eyes:
MAY God bless and preserve yo'
nobiest OF men. But you, as well
myself, must be lost"
NO, l am a good swimmer, an
here is a piece of board with whic
you can sustain yourself until rele
arrives
The father cast another glance
the white speck floating rapidly ava
and with an inward God preser'
her!n sprang into the sea, followed /
the stranger; but the two floated
different directions, and they saw eae
other no more.
Two hours later James Dural
awoke, as from the sleep of death, al
found himself in the cabin of a stran:
ship, with kind and sympathizir
faces all around him. In momel
he realized all that had passed, al
said, eagerly, though feebly, " n
child, my little Eva; is she safer
There was no response, and 10
moan escaped the fathers lips.
Courage, sir" said lady wi
fearful eyes, "some of the passenge
were saved by another ship"
The fathers couDtenance brighte
ed. "God grant that she may
safer'
i. Mr.. Durant recovered his usu
strength in few hours, and soug
/ among the saved for the stranger W
had proved himself so true Masor
Brother, but he was not to be foun
0 "He must be on the other shiI
said Mr.. Durant, land he will ia
care of Eva"
Both ships were at port in NJ
York the following day, but althou
: Mr.. Durant found the stranger W
had so befriended him, and who pre-
ed to be MIR. Wadsworth, from
Southern city, Eva was seen by
). one, and was given up as lost.
CHAPTER II.
"Here, wife, is child that has j.
been washed upon the beach. She
!! cold and stiff, but | think she is I
dead. Let us have some warm I'll