South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-06-16
Romney, Hampshire County, Va. June Is, 1876.

came drifting out blindly and dizzily
to the object Of her search. A plump
lmnd, with glittcring ring upon it
clutched the edge OF the boat, nearly
overseeing it. A young. eager face,
with streaming hair, looked up from the
water, and grasping. shuddering. half
drowned. and wholly scared, the young
water nymph was presently aboard the
old craft.
"Oh how frightened was - she cried.
81 felt sure 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 wa.
terloggcd craft?'
ut has seen its best days, certain"
said the widow, Juggling at the oars.
''Yon don't look able for such work.
said the girl.
II hace seen better days. was the
quiet answer.
J. 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,
Il thought so.''
"lIere, give me an oar she added.
still painting. "But, nay dear soul, we'll
never be able to row down to that point,
where L left my clothes, and / can't
walk to the hotel; I'm awfuly tired
Can't you put me ashore at your place,
and send word for me down yonder?"
The little dark cabin on the. shore
frightened up with an unwonted luster
rs the widow sheltered her young charge,
and changed her wet garments for some
OF her own.
IF my Tom would only como, I'd
send hia for your things"
ooh, no matter! I'll wrap your shawl
about me and walk down myself after
I've rested a bit. I'm not hurt, you
know. only scared. Dear me, how ,cas
scared My old nurse used to teach
me no: to scream, but if l hadn't
screamed, where should / have been
now, I wondcr?"
Mrs. Minton would gladly have par
ted with the last shred she possessed
and gone shivering the rest of her days
to sec her worn.out gown donned so
handsomely by the bright lassie.
"They have seen better days, the
clothes, miss, and I'll not deny that
they've been in good company in their
time but they're not lit for q lady now"
Her companion laughed, pretty, mis-
chevous laugh. She read the weakness
of her rescuer, and treated is tenderly.
"Wkatever 4 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 hearth stone, a bright
fire behind her. and the kettle boiling
cheerily. She nodded to him Familiarity.
Tom thought he must I've dreaming.
Tom and arc acquainted" said she.
"drc you?" responded the astonish-
cd widow.
Yes said the girl. GIVE watched
Ton many time walking along the
shore with his red shirt, and once he
took me and father out rowing. Tom,
your mother saved my lifc!''
Saved your life !" echoed Tom, who
never i'm all his life had heard Of his mo-
Tiers doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hurried
off in search of tie missing garments.
And meanwhile his mother betook her
self TO making o cup Of tea for her pro-
tcge. 1t was wonderful how n little
warmth of human feeling had reused this
woman TO life and activity again.
! When Tom returned, laden with va
rions articles of apparel, the two were
quietly slipping their tea together at the
old round table.
I He did not return alone however.
Following him came a gray headed gen.
tleman.
"lIere's father" cried the girl, spring
ing forward. "Oh. father. this good la
dy saved my life Is
Lady! The widow Minton wanted to
kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pro.
nounced the words.
We'll, my dear" said the old gentle.
man, good humoredly pinching the
| plump check 'she has done it very tho.
roughly. You certainly don't look very
near death now"
Whercat the story, with due enlarge.
ment aid variation, was told him with
a pretty pout.
The father smiled, but also he fur.
lively wiped away tear.
well, madam" said he, Courteously,
accept my cordial thanks for looking
after my little madcap Belle, She's my
only child. you see, and as full Of FRANKS
rs any Dozen"
/ Belle playfully put her hand over his
mouth, II won't have my character ira.
duced where they've been so good TO
me, she cried. "And oh, father isn't
this beautiful place--such q view of
tho water I mean TO come down here
every day and do my sketching."
I'm afraid" said the sire, shaking
his head. "that this good lady will have
cause to wish she had thrown you over.
/ board"
ooh, no. father, she likes me and !
like her. AGd I've fallen in love with
Tom long ngo, you know"
1 Inrn hInohnI min flt1lr- GnrrnaLi..l.