The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-03-12
EVA. THE MAsoN'S CHILD,
CHATTER I.

and now the snip was enVelopeu In
fiery sheet. Men and women rushed
madly over the side TO meet a quicker
but less painful death. The boats, with
one exception, had been overladen and
capsized There were hasty prayers,
and heart -rending cries Of misery and
distress Death hovered, vulture like,
over his victims; some supporting them
selves in the water by articles snatched
hastily from the burning ship, and with
which they had leaped wildly into the
sea The captain sang through his
trumpet, Take heart and sustain your
self as long as possible. A ship is COM
ing to our relief ga .-
Jane Durant stood upon the almost
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 to which the captain
had alluded. He discovered it at last,
but it was at least four miles off Be
fore the ship could arrive, they must he
brrned to death; or, if he sprang. as
the Others had, down into the water,
both he and the child would be drown
ed, for he was not swimmer
The little arms were twined about his
neck the pale cheek rested confdingly
against his own, but the brave child did
not tremblc. ..,-....... ....
30 my God, is there no help?' cried
the desparing father, az the flames swept
nearer, and he felt that his present po-
sition could be held but little longer
"Here, give the child to me, and
will save her. and turning quickly, Mr..
Durant stood face to face with u strsn-
ger who had a lite preserver in his hand
"Quick! there is no time to be lost
The child can have my life preserver,
and it will float her e"sily. 1onder is
another ship; l have been watching il
for the last five minutes. 1t will reach
us in half an hour at the most. There
that is fastened securely. Now, little
girl. am going to throw you into the
water. You are not afraid 2"
mo, no, but papa p ..
The father caught her frantically in
his arms.
"My darling Eva, you may never ace
yonr father again, hut do not fear-God
will guard YOU, and somebody will tind
you and take care Of you. If, you nev.
er see papa again, remember he is In
heaven with mamma"
Has she no relatives p asked The
stranger. -,E .. -s... -..
None in this country; l am from
England, and am travelling for hel
health"
stake that pin from your bosom ant
fasten it to her clothing"
"Heaven help you for the thought
said the father; and in a moment The
square and compass was glistening or
the bosom of the child, and the strsn
ger took her from her fathers arms saw.
ing, II am stronger than you; she must
be cast beyond the reach of these pool
drowning wretches, or they will rob hel
of her life prpserver,"
The white drspery fluttered through
the air, and sank below the waves; ther
rising, it foated lightly on the waters
James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes, ..-... 49,.
.'Mav God bless you and preserve
you, noblest of men But you, as wei
as myself, must be lost" -z --t-
s'No ANA good swimmer and here
is piece of board with which you car
sustain yourself until relief arrives"
The father cast another glance at !h'
white speck floating rapidly away, anc
with an inward "God preserve her"
sprang into the sea followed by. th'
/ stranger; hut the two foated in differ
! ent directions, and they saw each othe
no more. ........ ,..f... ....-.....
Two hours later, james Durant awoke
as from the sleep Of death, and fount
himself in the cabin of strange ship
with kind and sympathizing faces al
around him, in a moment he realized al
that passed. and said, eagerly, though
feebly: "My child, little Eva, is sh,
safe?' There was no response, and
low moan escaped the fathers lips.
Courage, sir, said lady with tear
ful eyes, "some of the passengers wer'
saved by another ship"
The fathers countenance lighted
|"God grant that she may be safe"
"Mr Durant recovered his usua
strength in a few hours, and soueh
among the saved for the stranger whit
had proved himself so true Masoni
Brother, but he was not to be found.
He must be on the other ship SAT-
Mr., Durant, '.and he will care for Eva y
| Both ships were at port the followin:
day, but although Mr. Durant found tn
ranger who had befliended him, ant
who proved to be a Mr., Wardsworth
from southern city, Eva was seen b
no one, and was given up as lost.