The Republican journal., 1876-02-03

Joy remaining here any great length of time,
for the sea is never still, and when agltated,
its roar shuts out every other sound, even
drowning our voces.'
In the spring OF 1857, Mr.. Burgess left
the rock to obtain his salary and secure
provision and fuel. He was prevented
bv the weather from returning, and his
family ran short of food Awaiting until
famine stared them in the face, because
of the rOughness of the sea, the son start
ed in a little skiff equipped with a sail
| made BY the aid of his sister, for succOr
AS he pushed off from the rock, he was
lost sight of in the trough OF the sea- and
was seen no more except on the top of
the sea for Il short distance. for twenty
one days, during the whole Of which
time, the mother and four girls were re-
duced to a cup of corn meal cruel and
one egg each per day. To the horrors of
isolation and famine in md-ocean, was
added awful suspense as to the fate of the
father and son. Had the one persisted in
attempting to return and the other in his
effort to obtain succor? During all these
days, it was Abbie who labored and
cheered. 1t was she who, without aid,
far out on the bosom of the ocean, was
fully equal to the emergency, and as the
star of Bethlehem shone out to guide the
wise men to the birth place Of Saviour.
so from the setting sun to the rising
thereof. each day for all this long and
weary period. did the rays OF her lights
shine out upon the trackless ocean to
guide the mariner safely on his way.
With a heroism born only OF true great
ness, knowing her duty, she performed it
under circumstances which might well
have appalled, Who can tell, had it been
otherwise. what disasters might have fol-
lowed - but that vacant chairs would
have existed where COW the family circle
is unbroken Not only did she care for
the lights and domestic duties, but it was
she who bathed the burning brow of a
mother, and held the cooling draught to
the ievered lips OF a sister. In 1861. Mr..
Burgess was, in the change of admins
tration, superseded by Capt John Grant
and son, OF Rockland On assuming
their positions, the services OF Abbie
were secured to instruct them in their
duties and teach them the manipulations
of the lamps, for in 1857, the government
had reconstructed all the buildings. and
the appointments were of the most APP
proved character. requiring no little skill
to run them. During that year, she was
married to Capt. Isaac II. Grant, the as
sistant keeper; so again it became her
home. In 1864, the residents of the Rock
witnessed the confagratiOn of vessels
see Five of these were in view at one
time in flames. May. 1863, Mrs. Grant,
the principal keepers vile. died, during
a gale and it was cot until the fourth
day after, that her remains could be re-
moved from the Rock.
The steam blast was established in
1869, after which, Abhie was appointed
one of the assistants, serving tour Years.
The season OF 1879 found her still on the
Rock, the mother OF tour children. with
the many cares incident Thereto and as
her heart went out towards her children,
It was not strange that her thoughts
should wander to the main land. aud Il
desire arise that her children should have
the advantages of education and society,
and also be released from a life 50 isolat-
ed and monotonOus. In the spring Of
1873, a vacancy occurred at White Head
Light, III the town of st. George, and the
situation of keeper was rendered her hus-
band and accepted, and Abbie was APP
pointed assistant 1t is only alter TWEEN
ty-tWo years OF unconscious heroism. in
life OF exile, that she finds a home on the
main. During all this period, she had
left the rock only at rare intervals. She
had been deprived OF everything that or
dinarily makes life attractive Twenty
two years had the trees budded and put
forth their leaves, but not for her.
IUapfy-t had tho
ed, and thrown out their fragrance but
for her was only the air OF the briny
ocean. Twenty-Five years had the newly
mown hay filled the air with its perfume,
but for her was only the odor of burning
oil, twenty-five years of refinement and
culture had come and gone, but hers was
the refinement of duty heroically per-
formed, and culture received from the
grandeur of the lashing elements Mrs.
Grant, as we will now call her has 4
husband in every way worthy OF her
Their union has been blest with four chit
dren, She possesses a good share OF cul-
ture and refinement. and her happiness
Low is in anticipating the time when
with her husband and family she can re-
tire from the lighthouse lite to 4 farm
One word more and close When those
within the sound Of the steam blast at
White Head have retired to rest. and hear
the hoarse blast coming up through the
storm, let them remember that from sun.
set to midnight, this lady, who has spent
twenty-five years OF her lie in the service
of the public, is in charge, and l ask
them as simple act OF justice, to join i'll
placing her name high upon the scroll OF
unconscious heroiSm on the tablets Of
Their memories. Yours. MEpoNAk