The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-04-27
ne would have dreamed of

ct can't stand this, she said. ssSeems
T might pull out that old scow myself.
Tom r she screamed, with yell that
held the concentrated energy of ten
years. But no Tom appeared. And it
was the widow herself, with those with
cred old hands that disdained the minis
ter's kitchen work-it was the widow her
self, who, straining, Juggling, and, with
her gray hair futtering in the wind, I'M
loosened the old dugout from its moor
ings, anG trembling, unskillful, armed
with rude paddle, went spinning out
dizzily over the water. 1t leaked, the
old scow it scorned the broken paddle
and the heavy oars, but finally it came
drifting out blindly and dizzily to the
object of her search. A plump hand,
with a glittering ring upon it,
clutched the edge of the boat, nearly
oyersettlng it. A young, eager face,
with streaming hair, looked up from the
water, and gasping, shuddering, half
drowned, and wholly scared, the young
water-nymph was presently aboard the
old craft
s'Oh, how frightened I was! /" she
cried. 81 felt sure I was losing all my
strength, and would go to the bottom.
Oh, you good soul you dear soul how
ever did you get to me in this water
logged craft?"
"It has seen its best days, certain,
said the widow, tugging at the oars.
"You don't look able for such work,
said the girl.
"I haze seen better days. was the
quiet answer.
And then-oh sufficient reward of all
her efforts this real lady, this fair
young girl with the soft hands and the
pretty bathing dress, actually replied
81 thought So"
ga g Here, give me an oar, she added,
still painting. "But my dear soul, We'll
never be able to row down to that point,
where [ left my clothes, and | can't
walk to the hotel I'm awfully tired,
can't you put me ashore at your place,
and send word for me down yonder 2"
The little dark cabin on the shore
frightened up with an unwonted luster
as the widow sheltered her young
charge, and changed wet garments for
some of her own.
eff my Tom would only come, I'd
send him for your things
ooh, no matter I'll wrap your
shawl about me and walk down myself
after I've rested bit. I'm not hurt,
you know, only scared. Dear me, how
I was scared! My old nurse used to
teach me not to scream but II L hadn't
screamed, where should [ have been
now, I wonder {?
Mrs. Minton would gladly have parted
with the last shred she possessed, and
gone shivering the rest of her days, to
see her WORKOUT gown donned so hand
somely by the bright lassie.
"They have seen better days, the
clothes, miss, and Eli not deny that
that they've been in good company in
their time but they're not fit for
lady now"
Her companion laughed, pretty,
mischievous laugh. She read the weak
ness of her rescuer, and treated it ten
derby.
Whatever lady has worn is fit for
lady to wear" she said, and forthwith
wrapped herself, smiling, in the old
gray shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with his red
shirt cleaning in the setting sun, and
string of fish on his shoulder, stood in
the doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest
standing upon the hearthstone, bright
fire behind her, and the kettle boiling
cheerily. She nodded to him famil-
iarly. Tom thought he must be dream
ing.
atom and I are acquainted" she
said.
"Are you?" responded the astonshed
widow.
eyes," said the girl. "I've watched
Tom many time walking along shore
with his red shirt, and once he took me
and father out rowing. Tom, your moth
er saved my life. %
"Saved your life " echoed Tom, who
never in all his life heard of his mothers
doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hurried
off In search of the missing garments.
And meanwhile his mother betook her
self to making cup of tea for her pro-
tege. 1t was wonderful how a little
warmth of human feeling had reused this
woman to life and activity again.
When Tom returned, laden with va
rious articles of apparel, the two were
quietly slipping their tea together at the
old round table.
He did not return alone, however.
Following him came tall, gray-headed
gentlemen.
"Here's father !" cried the girl, spring
ing forward. "Oh, father, this good
lady has saved my life !"
Lady The widow Minton wanted
to kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pro-
nounced the word"
"Well, my dear, said the old gentle
man, spontaneously pinching the
plump cheek, t'she has done it very
thoroughly. You certainly don't look
very near death just now"
Whereat the story, with due enlarge
ment and variations, was told him with
a pretty pout.