The Van Buren press., 1876-06-06

i'uI no luiH uVpfaicu Anu ib WAS tHt
widow herself, with those withered old
hands that disdained the ministers kiteh-
en- work-it was the widow herself, who
straining, tnggiug, aud with her gray
hair llutterng in the wind, ualoosened
the old dug.out from its moorngs, and
trembling, unskilfHl, armed with rude
paddle, went spinning out digzily over
the rude water. 1t leaked, the old seow !;
it scornrd 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 gilt
tering ring upon it, clntchetl the edge Of
the boat, nearly oversctting it. Ayonng
eager face, with streaming hair, looked
mp from the water, and gasping. shudder-
ing, half drowned. and wholly scared
the young nymph was presently on board
the old craft.
"Oh, how frightened | was" she ex.
clssi.a..,a. '---yf 4 fctt ,erea I ~ns iesies- all
my strength, and would go to the bot
tom. Oh you good old soul, you dear
soul, how ever did you get to me in that
water logged craft ~
1t has seen its best days, certain,
said the widow tagging at the oars.
You don't look able for such work, >
''I have seen better days. was the
quiet answer.
And then-oh sufficient reward for all
her eforts--this real lady, this fair young
girl with the soft hands and the pretty
bathing kress, actually replied,
thou hit so.'
Here, give me m oar, she added, still
painting. Bat, my dear soul, wei! never
be able to row down to that point where
left my clothes, aud can't walk to the
hotel; I'm awful tired. Can't you put
me ashore at your place and send for me
down yondcr p
The little dark cabin on the shore
.brightcned up with an unwonted lustre
as the widow sheltered her young Charge
and changed her wet garments for some
of her own,
:" If my Tom would come, I'd send
him for yaur things
Uh, no matter, III wrap your shawl
about me and walk down myself. after
I've rested a bit. Tn not hurt you
know, only scared. Dear me. how | was
scared. My old nurse used to teach me
not to scream; but if hadn't screamed,
where would be now, wonder p
They have seen better days. the
clothes, miss, and IL not deny they've
been in good company in their time. but
they've not fit for a lady now
Her companion laughed, pretty. mis-
chievous laugh She read the weakness
of her rescurer and treated it tenderly.
Whatever u lady has worn is fit for q
lady TO wear" she said, and forthwith
wrapped herself, stn,lins, in the Old gray
shawl. s.s.. +
And at rhat 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 hearth stone, a brigl,
fire behind her and the kittle boiling
cheerily. She nodded to him famliarly.
Tom thought he must be dreaming.
Tom and are acquainted she said
Are you?" responded the astenished
widow.
Yes,' said the girl, I've watched
Tom many time walking along shore
with his red shirt, and once lie took me
and father out rowing Tom, your moth.
er saved my life"
Saved your life"' echoed Tom, who
never in all his life had 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 a cup OF tea for her pro-
tegc. 1t was wonderful how little
warlnth Of human feeling had reused this
woman to life and activity again.
When Tom returned, laden with vari-
Gus articles Of apparel, the two were
quietly slipping their tea together Mt the
old round table. tt.
lie did not return alone, however.
Following him came a tall gray headed
gentleman.
"Here father!n cried the girl, spring
ing forward "Oh father this good la
dy has saved my life!' H.
Lady The widow Minton wanted to
kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pronounc.
ed the words. $500 .-. r.
swell, my dea.,' said the old gentle
man, good-humoredly pinching the
plump cheek, "she has done it very
thoroughly. You certainly don't look
very near death just now t- At
Whereat the story, with due enlarge
ment and variation, was told him with a
petty pout. .. ..
TAe father smiled, batal he furtive
ly wiped away a lear. ....
"Well, madam" said he courteously
g accept my cordial thanks for looking
after my little madcap Belle She's my
only child, you see, and as full of pranks
as any dozen" .....
Belle, playiully put her hand over his
mouth. :" / won t have my character ira,
duced where they have been 50 good to
me-" she cried. And oh, father, ism
this a beautiful place-such view of the
water! mean to come down here every
day and do my sketching'
I'm afraid said ,he sire, shaking his
head, that this good lady will have
cause to wish she had thrown you over
board
Oh, no, father; she likes me and l
like her. Aud I've fallen in love with
Tom long ago, you know
Tom bIusbed painfully. Something
strange new stirred in his mind Com,
pliments aid not sweeten his thoughts as
they did his mothers, for Tom had never