The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-06-01


young, 8 body gets quit of a deal o
trouble. And-yes, surely, that was {
scream. The widow looked sharply
out. Would Tom never come? The
/ tide was rising, and-something Ger.
tainly wa1 the matter. She called
beckoned lrantically to the bathers be-
yond-they seemed both blind and
deaf,
"No on4 not one soul at hand, and
! that young thing in peril of life! A
minute5sho stood still, listening-a
feeble Old woman with a haggard,
scared fada to whom no one would
have drea>hed of looking for help.
az can't etand this" she said. ''Seems
I might pull out that old scow myself.
Tom, shc screamed, with a yell that
held tho ooncentrated energy of ten
years. But no Tom appeared. And
it was theswidow herself, with those
witbeeeI old dzhapds that disdained the
minister's kitchen .work-it was the
widow herself, who straining, tug
eing, and with her gray hair fiutter-
ing in the wind, unloosened the old
dug-out from its moorings, and tremb-
ling, unskillful, armed with a rude pad
die, went spinning cut dizzily oyer the
rude water. 1t leaked, the cid scow !;
it scorned the broken paddle and the
heavy oars, but finally it came drift
ing out blindly and dizzily to the OBJ
ject of her search. A plump hand,
with a glittering ring upon it, clutch
cd the edge of the boat, nearly over
setting it. A young eager face, with
streaming hair, looked up from the
water, and gasping, shuddering, hall.
drowned, and wholly scared, the
young nymph was presently OH board
the old craft.
"Oh, how frightened l was!' she
cried. 81 felt sure / was losing all my
strength, and would 60 to the bottom.
Oh you good old soul. You dear soul,
how euer did you get to me in that
water-logsed craft 2"
at has seen its best days, certain,
said the widow tugging at the oars.
"You don't look able for such work,
said the girl.
81 have seen better days" was the
quiet answer.
And then-oh, sufficient reward for
all her efforts-this real lady, this fair
young girl with the soft hands and the
pretty bathing dress, actually replied.
81 thought So"
Here, give me All 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 l
can't walk to the hotel; I'm awful
tired. Can't you put me ashore at
your place and send for me down yon-
der?"
The little-dark cabin on the shore
frightened up with an unwonted lus-
tire as the widow sheltered her young
charge and changed her wet garments
for some of her own.
eff my Tom would come, I'd send
him for your things"
"Oh, no matter. I'll wrap your
shawl about me, aud walk down my
self after I've rested bit. I'm net
hurt you know, only scared. Dear me,
how scared. Ny old nurse used to
teach me not to scream but if hadn't
screamed, where would be now, 1
wonder?"
''They have seen better days, the
clothes, miss, and III not deny they've
been in good company in their time,
but they're not fit COR lady now"
Her companion laughed, pretty,
mischievous laugh. She read the
weakness of her rescuer and treated it
tenderly.
"Whatever a lady has worn is fit for
3 lady to wear" she said, and forth
with 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.
lie stopped when he saw the guest
standing upon the hearth-stone. a
bright fire behind her and tine kettle
boiling cheerily. She nodded to him
familiarly. Tom thought he must be
dreaming.
atom and 1 are acquainted" she
said.
"A,e you ?" responded the astonish-
ed widow.
"Yes," said tn, girl. "I've watched
Tom many a.time walking along shore
with his red shirt, and once he took
me and father out rowing. Tom your
mother saved my life"
"Saved your life !" echoed Tom. who
never i'm all his life had heard of his
mothers doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hur-
ried OFF i'm search of the missing gar
ments. And meanwhile his mother
betook herself 10 making a cup Of tea
for her protege. 1t was wonderful
how a little warmth of human feeling
had reused this woman to life and ac
tiyity again.
When Tom returned, laden with va
rious articles of apparel. the two were
quietly slipping their tea together at
the old round table.
lie did not return alone, however.
Following him came tall gray-head-
ed gentleman.
"Here's father" cried the girl.
springing forward. .'Oh, father this
good lady has saved my lifei"
Lady! The widow Minton wanted
to kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pro-
nOunccd thr words