Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-07-31
JOE GORTON's PASSENGER.

The day was drawing towards its close
chill and raw. Lake village was almost
always gusty. but jnst now the wind was
having its own wny mere than usual, and
any passer through the long. bleak street.
happening to glance in at The window Of
the little water.side tavern. might well
have been tempted BY bright Gre and good
company inside the bar.
They were the usual afternoon loafers,
with the exception Of one small. wiry-
looking man. u stranger. who had stopped
TO take glass Of something hot. and who.
at the moment. was evidently the centre
Of the general interest.
Bat what is it you know, any how,
stranger 7 asked one Of the group. .Come,
now. among friends
Never YOU mind answered the ad-
dressed. j know enough to shu. up JOHN
Sawyer petty spell. if not to make hin,
swing. and know how to tell il when the
riyh, time comes. don't you I've afraid for
that. The days getting on he added
nbrub,ly. rising and turning toward the
window. 'and your duck pond there don,
look over agreeable just now. Who's q
good boa,man hereabouts ? for, If I'm
split, | cant swim
Joe Gorion's your man. was the an
swcr; he couliu't tip over if he tried
couldn't Joe
why don't YOU wait until to. morrow.
stranger. il you're alcarcd o the weather?
aud them clouds ovcr there do look kind
er pcsky. said the landlord of the Lake
aide House. turning a practised eye on
the gray mingling outlines Of lake and
sky.
Well, fac. is said the other, I'm ac-
quaintcd over in Miham. and. if It's all
the same to you'-wi,h wink-'rd rath :
er be there than here; SO if you'll hunt
up this Joe Wha,'s-his-uaule, I'll be
obliged
The landlord. resen.ing the wink and
the implied insinnation. opened the door
and called out. rather snlkily, to some
one in the mex. room: Marcy. run down
70 the water and tell Joe there's 4 passen-
ger here
In another minute the house-door closed =.
snd tall. slight. girlish figure. with a
shawl over its head. might have been seen
hurrying down to the wa,cr.side.
Joe Gorion. busy abou, his boat, heard
his name called. and looking up. saw the
cir! Marcy. The sharp wind had blown
out stray locks of her crisp. black hair.
from under the rcd shawl but the hectic
in thc checks. and the vsrish brightness
in the diatcd eyes. were not all the wind
work. She came close to the boa,man.
who raised himself up. facing her.
Joe. shc said. there's . passenger
waiting up 10 The house. she laid her hand
on his arm and glanced cautiously ronud
before adding in whisper Joe. II once
that man reaches the other side. it's oil ur
with father
'What's that. Margy?' asked the boat
man. looking wonderiugly at her.
Itch ycu-l heard 10 he'll bring i
home TO him. he says SO, he's come a pur
Io.e. Its fathers chance clean gone. i
you take him across
DO you mean should refuse to tax,
him. Marcy ? said Joe. slowly.
What good would that do said III,
gisl, impa,ieutly. Kelley or some o.
'em would take him fast enough; ~hat'i
fathers life against fare 7 No. it's 80,
must take him. Joe. and then. il any tins
happers.' sinking her voice to mean.
ing whisper. nobody but you aud me-,
the wiser
Joe started back.
Marcy. what's that you're thinking :!
i can, help il, csied the girl. pas.
sionately twisting her fingers in the shawl
fringe 50 that it snapped; he's my faith
cr. and never was better but for drink
you know yourself. everybody says 5,
aud, if you could hear that man u,
-sherr ixuyhinr -snd bcsssine he'll han.
him Joe, you d. 6ud j. hard to seep you
hands cff Of him; but I don't ssk yoa Il
DO SO much as touch finger to him. only
if the boat turns over. he can't swim.s
heard him ssy 50. and then fathers saved
and nobody The wiser. for the best boat
man that ever was might have nm aeciden
on a .qually evening lile this.' ts
There. tless.Y Marcy. be stiH. poo
girl. you dom. know VIA. yea'rs saying.
YES, / a. s.ia she. passioos.ely
never you think that. Joe Gorton. 1,cl
you il lays with ysa TO save father or Il
kiu hin; ye. and me too. Tor if.hcy hang
him TIL never live ovsr the day. aud :hal
swear. 20 you choose between US
Harkr she turned to listen. L cam
s.sy.. She pressed her hasd hard an III.
shoulder. locking mp pi.ecusly in his ACE
.Joe. If ever you cafei for me, save thai
toor old man.. And before be could m.