The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-12-25

| AL.SASet 1Ae SuIlstuuS eve, TIC Lnlru
without Charlie. Minnie, Pepita and l
sat huddled round the firC talking in low
tones about 0ur lost; for We could bear
now to speak Of him sometimes, aud i!
soothed inc to hear the children talk and
to see howmuch they loved him. Pepitn
tried that night to sing one Of the sGilor
songs he had taught her, but she
couldn't do that. Her voice broke
down, and We couldn't ono OF US speak
another word,
1t was q sad Christmas eve, ma'an
The first ono when all hope had really
gone out, md when I lay down to sleep
that night I felt that, except must live
for the children's sake, it would be such
blessing to die.
"Christmas morning was very clear,
aud I remember how the sunlight
danced in our little kitchen. It fell
like blessing On NIinnie's pretty hair,
making it sparkle like gold, and reflect.
cd on tho picture OF Charles ship-not
the lost one, but the dear old Pepita
which hung on the wall.
"The table was spread, and wo sat
down to our sad repast. Minnie folded
her hands TO say grace, when-oh,
ma'am, I can hardly tell you about it,
even after all these years-Pepita
screamed like ono mad with joy. I
spiupg to my feet. l couldn't tell what
had happened 10 me. I saw looking iu
at the window-Charlie- Charlie alive
and welll
II don't know how II all was; know
] couldn't move. saw as in dream
Charlie in the room and Pepita's arms
around his neck; then fell on his
shoulder like ono dead.
"There are no words 10 tell you,
na'am, OF tho joy and happiness wo
knew in our little cottage that Christ
mas day. We couldn't realize il our.
solves. I didn't dare to take my eyes
from Oh arlie fora moment, lest should
look back and find him gone. Minnie
aud Pepita both sat clinging to him.
He had long story to tell Us OF ship.
wreck upon shipwreck, Of long waiting
upon lonely islands, watching month
after month for sails which seemed
mover to come-adventures through
which many a poor sailor has passed,
and from which many a ono has never
come back to tell the story "a Charlie
did.
"That night, sitting by the FIRE after
the children had left us alone, l made
Charlie promise me that he would never
leave mo again, but would give up the
sen and stay with US in the cottage.
"I didn't realize till long afterward
how hard it had been for him to promise
me that. I had come to have such a
terror OF the sea TINT I couldn't realize
how sailors heart delighted in il.
Wien years had passed, and Minnie
and Pepita had both married and loft
rs clone, I began to feel how hungry
Charlie WIS for the life be had loved SO
much. He used to spend his timo wan
dering about tho docks and going on
board the ships in from foreign ports !;
aud sometimes he would sit on the cliff
for hours with his spyglass, watching
the passing vessels, and more than once
I heard him sigh rs il his heart was
bursting but I would mover listen
when lie spoke OF going to sea again,
until at last his health began to fail,
aud it seemed there wasnothing for him
but to return to his old life or die. But
l couldn't bear to let him go al me, aud
he couldn't bear to leave mo behind.
We were both too old to begin life over
in the long trading voyages and rs
Charlie had the offer OF the place OF first
mate on this ship-the captain is an old
friend Of his, ma'am-Igot the situation
as stewardess, aud for three years Char.
lie and have been travelling back and
forth together, aud we will continue 10
do it rs long as God gives US health and
strength to bear the journey"
The old lady stopped ard looked
hesitatingly at me and at some other
passengers who had gathered near to
listen, as il she feared we were wearied
by her long family history.
hastenel to reassure her by thanks
for tho pleasant way sho had entertained
us during the long Christmas eve al sea.
"And 80 Charlie is really on board
with you I" ] said.
"oh, yes, wa'am," she replied, smil.
ing. al would not be hero without
him. Did you mind the man who was
speaking to me at the cabin door TO-
right-the tall, stout man with gray
beardl Yes, you saw him, did you
That was Charlie"