Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-07-04
THE FIsHERMAN's LANTERN.

lived With Jnelr OranQlatner, OlQ DUH as
he was called, the fisherman. For these
two boys were orphans; they had lost
both father and mother; and SO the kind
hearted old fisherman had taken them un-
der his own care. Z
"If they can manage to rough it," he
said, "with a weather beaten old fellow like
me, | shall be glad enough to have them,
and I'll see if | can't make them comfort
able"
"The fsherman's cottage stood quite
by itself, little above the sea. 1t could
not be seen from the sea, though; for
what little of it might have been visible
above the thick garden hedge was hidden
behind the spreading branches of great
tree.
Now the boys soon found that this tree
could be climbed, and, in the bright Sum-
mer days when they had tidied up the
inside of the cottage and done the bit of
garden work, it was their delight to mount
the tree, and, getting out on strong
branch which stretched toward the sea, to
sit there and watch for their grandfather's
return from his fishing.
But the days were not all bright; there
were times when the weather was cold
and dreary; when the sky was clOuded
and the rough winds blew. At such times
as these George and Will would stay in
doors aud take care to have the cottage
rice and comfortable, so that when the
fisherman returned home, cold and wet
and tired, there was always cheerful
fire burning, the kettle boiling, and dry
clothes ready if he wanted a change.
How it cheered the old mans heart to find
them so thoughtful.
"Those boys" he would say to himself,
''are downright blessings, that they are
It's many long day since the old place
was as cheerful as it's been since they've
been in it,"
1t was on the evening of one of those
dreary days that the fisherman and his
boys, after an hour or two's pleasant chat
around the fire, had gone earlier than
usual to bed. The wind had been bois-
terous all day, but now it increased to a
perfect hurricane. 1t lashed the sea into
great roaring waves, and hurried them
upon the beach with tremendous fury. 1t
howled around the cottage, and ragged
among the branches of the great tree, and
made such an uproar that neither the boys
nor their grandfather could sleep.
"Dear, dear!" said the old man, 81
pity the craft out at sea on night like
thisr'
BE had scarcely spoken when the sound
of distant gun was heard. He hastily
slipped on his clothes and went out to the
garden gate. The night was pitchy dark /;
not a 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 off
to the life boat station. Don't let it be
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, and
then turned again to the boys
"Now, don't you go to be frightened" )"
said he, "I may not be long gone, and
there's nothing to be afeared on"
"We shan't be frightened, grandfather, >"
they replied; 1--WE shan't be frightened"
"That's right, my lads" said the fisher
man; "I'll get back just as soon as ever l
GEN."
He went out. The two boys heard the
tread of his boots along the gravel path :;
they heard him shut the garden gate after
him. They were alone!
A little time passed, and then George
began: Il say, Will, suppose any of the
men from the wreck should get driven
round here"
Hal" said Will.
There was a pause. Presently George
began again: " There ought to be light
of some sort to show them the way"
".Yes, that there ought" said Will.
"How would it d." asked George, 'to
hang grandfather's lantern up in the tree?''
" 1t would have to be hung right at the
end of the great branch" said Will
g Yes, that's the place for it, " returned
GeOr ge.
How is it to be got there?" said Will,
"you can't climb that tree with your
hands full"
George was staggered little at this.
They neither of them spoke for some
minutes At length George broke out:
eyes, that's it Look here, viii. We
can get long piece of cord, and | can
wind it round my waist and 60 up, and you
can wait below with the Ian ern, and then
1 can pull it up. Seer"
Yes, thatll do it." said Will. "But," "
he added, "perhaps grandfather wouldn't
like us to be going up the tree at this time
of night-Such night as this, too"
"Of course he wouldn't like rs to go up
for fun," said George; "but he would't
mind it ifit would be any good to any
body. See how anxious he is to help any
body in danger"
There was along pause here. Suddenly
Will said, Come on, George, we'll do it,"
They were soon up and dressed; the
lantern was got down from the wall where
it hung, and while one carefully trimmed
it, the other polished the glass, that tae
light might shine brightly.
Then they went to the shed and found
long piec of cord. George wound the
cord round about his waist. Will took
the lantern, and ont they went. A min
ute or two afterward George was climb
ing the tree The night was very dark
and the wind blew violently. but that did