The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-08-17
The Fishermans Lantern

The Fisherman's Lantern.
George and Will were brothers They
lived with their grandfather. Old Bluff
as he was called, the fisherman. For these
two boys were orphans they had lost both
father and mother, and So she kind hearted
old fisherman had taken them under lis
own care.
9 If they can manage I" rough It, he
said, with weather-beaten Old fellow
like me- shall be glad enough I" have
them, and I'll SEE if ! can't make them
comfortable.
II The ishernans cottage stood quite by
itself, little above the sea. II could not
he seen from the sea- though for what
! little of 1t might have been visible above
the thick garden hedge was hidden lshind
the spreading branches If great tree
Now the boys soon found that this tree
could be climbed, and III the bright sum
mer days, when they had tidied uP the in
side of the cottage and done the bit If gar
den work, it was their delight to mount the
tree. and, getting out "n a strong branch
/ which stretched toward the sea. To- sit there
and watch for their grandfathers return
! from his fishing.
But the davs were not all bright there
were times when the weather was cola and
dreary when the sky Was clouded and the
rough winds blew. At such times as these
George and Will would stay indoors and
take care t. have the cottage nice and com
| Portable. So that when the fisherman re-
turned home, cold and wet aud tired, there
was always a cheerful lire burning, the
Kettle boiling, and dry clothes ready fnr
him if he wanted change. How 4 cheer
ed the old mans heart to find his grand
sons 50 thoughtful.
Those BOYS, he would SAY ." himself,
'' are a downright blessIn, that they arr ,
It's many a long day since the Old place
was as CHEEKY rs it's been since they We
been III 1T.
1t was IN the evening Of one Of those
| dreary days that the fisherman and ms boys
after an hour or twos pleasant chat around
the fire had gone earlier than usual To- bed
! The wind had been boister"us all day, hut
now il increased to perfect hurricane 1t
lashed the sea into great roaring waves,
| and hurled them upon the beach with tre-
mendous fury 1t howled aroUni the cot
tage, and ragged among the branches Of the
tree, and made such an uproar that neither
| the boys nor their grandfather could sleep.
Dear. dear, said the old man.
pity the craft out at sea on night like
this -
He had scarcely spoken when the sound
of distant gun was heard. He hastily
slipped on his clothes and went out to the
garlen-gate The night was pitchy dark
not star was shining. But, suddenly, far
away across the sea. rocket shot up into
the sky, and again the gun was heard The
fisherman turned hastily indoors.
! ." Look here. boys he said, " there's a
ship out yonder in distress | must be on
to the life-b boat station. Don't let 1t he
said that Old Bluff was missing when his
help was wanted.
He drew on his long waterproof coat.
slouched his sou -wester on his head, ard
then turned again to the boys.
Now. don't you go tn be frightened,
said he, = / may not he long gone, and
there's nothing to be afeard a on
I'VE shant be- frightened, grandfather,
they replied we shan't he frightened.
That's right, my lads, said the fisher
man n" Ill get back as soon As ever can.
He went out The two boys heard the
tread of his boots along the gravel path
they heard him shut the garden gate be-
hind him. They were alone
A little time passed, and then George
began 4" ] say, Will, suppose any Of the
men from the wreck should get driven
round here
Ha II said Will.
There was a pause. Presently George
began again
There ought TO he light Of some sort
to show them the way.
"Yes, that there ought" said Will.
How would it do, asked George, II
hang grandfather's lantern up IN tree
at would have to be hung right at th'
end Of the great branch, said Will.
Yes, that's the place for It, returned
George.
g How is it to be got there T. said Will
"yOu can't climb that tree with your hand
full"
George was staggered little at this.
They neither Of them spoke for SOM
minutes. At length George broke out
''Yes, that $ it Look here, Will. w
can get long piece of cord, and | can wine
it round my waist and 90 up, aud you cal
! wait below with the lantern, and then cal
pull it up. See"
- Yes, that Il do it, said Will. But,
he added, perhaps grandfather wouldn'
like us to be going up the tree this time 0
night such night as this, too
!. "Of course he wouldn't like us to go u
for fun, said George; "but he wouldn'
mind it if it would be any good to any
;. body See how anxious he is to help any
body in danger
There was a long pause here. Suddenl
Will said, Come on, George, well do it.
. They were soon up and dressed tn
lantern was got down from the wall wher
it hung, and while one carefully trimme
it, the other polished the glass, that tn
=, light might shine brightly.
Then they went to the shed and found
long piece Of cord. George wound the cor
round his waist Will took the Lantern
and out they went. A minute or tw
afterward George was climbing the tre'
The night was very dark, and the win
blew violently but that did not matt.
much, for George knew well what brancl
es to catch hold Of, and where to put h
p feet.
Will took his place under the tree, an
waited. He listened eagerly for George