Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-01-20

the good mans visit that the widow sat
idly br"oding at her cabin door. Her eyes
had wandering, tar.awav look, and her
face was keener and thinner than ever
Beyond the bluff which sheltered her cab
IN, stretched far.linc of sea coast, the
white sand cleaning silvery in the SUM-
Far off group Of bathcrs,in bright dress.
es, frolicked between shore and water.
They came from the great hotel down be-
yond; she could almost catch the sound
OF their voices as she sat slowly rocking
in her doorway. I, was quiet afternoon;
the air was soft and soothing, and the wild.
ow's heart so full Of bitterness, felt itself
swec'cn and soften in the Stiffness This
part of the shore, sheltered by its over
hanging rock, was seldom disturbed by
intruders. but presently the watchers eye
caught sight Of young girl splashing
frolicking in the wafer just beyond the
70, ss.s 1t was pretty sight the rounded
r.as, ,::.c curving shoulders, the swaying,
floating figure. And perhaps the old wo'
man recalled with a sigh the time when
she wasyoung and blithc too, and had us
CHEEKY voice as that with which the fair
swimmerhailcd her companion in the dis
tance.
Gazing absently on the smiling scene.
rcveric fell upon her, and when she look
cd again, the young water-nymph had dis
appeared She had probably swan ashore
behind the rocks. The widow turned
away, hugged her shawl over her sh"ul
ders, and thought that tie sea wind was
chilly. Hark! What was that? Surely
she heard a cry. No merry shout cr ring
ing laugh this; it might be the cry OF Il
wild bird on its way to its nate.
She couldn't have got beyond her depth,
that young creature. surely! But, la.
what Of it if she had: DYING young, a
body gets quit Of lot Of trouble. And
Yes, surely that was Il scream. The wild
ow looked sharply out. Would Tom ucv
come? The tide was rising, and-and
something certainly was the matter. She
calcd-she beckoncd franticalIy 10 ;hc
ba'lerS bcyond-tley seemed both blind
and deaf.
No one, not one soul, at hand, ard that
young thing in peril rf life! \ minu!.
| she stood still, listening, feeble old W"
| man with haggard, scared face, TO whicl
!, no one would hav" dreamed Of looking toi
; hc,p.
"Ilaut stand this" she said. "lt seems
! might pull on, that old scow :!ysclf.-
Tom" she screamed, with yell that h. Id
the concentrated energy Of ten years. Bu
40 Tom appear d. And i, was the wieo"
G;>,la!nrl ,l;c ;nia s'cr's kitchen Work--iI
va the widow herself, who s'raininr tug
! ri y :i:la *i;h her gray hair t1u';ering ir
l.. ", q. EEl o,,d l:c old du!-rut fl Il
=. - 'r'ngs, ANA trembling, -un-kiiltu'
l.: :.,-'; :i;:t a ID. paddle, Went spinning
! ii 1;x<ill over iir water. 1t lc"k< d, In,
! ); "~; i, svrrnsd the broken paddle
! ':',, t'c;,vv "ars; bu, finally i, cam
ri. ,;::9 Il, b!ind!y 70 the object Of lie
! -"s..s. \ pump hand, with gliltcy:ns
. :..'. "t,,. il. rlutcht 4 the cl@c Of the hoa
. :.,:s;', ?~rj:i.y ii. 4 young eager face
s:H..:...,& hair, locked up from The water
AK s~sriHG, shuAdcring, half drowned
arG "h"llv scared, the young water
nymph was presently aboard the old Graf,
oh, how frightened was:' she cried
Il felt sure ( was losing my strength, an'
would 20 to the bottom. Oh, you goo(
soul! you dear soul: how did yon eve
&c, to he in this water logged cratt:'
1T has seen its best days, certain" salt
the widow, tugging at the oars
You don't look able tor such work,
said the girl.
Il have seen better days." was the Quie
answer.
And then oh, sufficient reward Of al
her efforts this real lady this fair youn
gi:l with the soft hands, and the prett
bathing dress, actually replied, Il though
So"
Here, give me an oar" she added, still
painting. But, my dear soul, We'll ncve
be able to row down to that point where
left my clothes, and can't walk to I'll
hotel; I'm awfully tired. Can't you p,
me ashore at your place, and send wor
for me down yonder!'
The little dark cabin on the shot
Frightened up with an unwontcd lustcr ;
, the widow sheltered her young charg
and changed her wet garments for som
, Of her own.
r IF my Tom would only come, Id sen
r him for your things"
"Oh, no matter! III wrap your shaw
about me and walk down n: yself after l.,
rested a bit. I'm not hurt, YOU know, OF
ly scared. Dear NE, how was scared
My old nurse used to teach me not ,
scream; bu, if l hadn't screamed, whc,
should ! have been now. wonders"
Mrs. Min,on would gladly have partc
with the last shred she Possessed, an
gone >hivering the rest Of her days, to Sc
| her worn out gown douned SO handsomel
, BY the bright lass.
"Tuev have seen better days, the cloth'
miss, and III not deny that they've bee
in good company in their time; but the
are not fit for lady now"
Her companion laughed pretty, mi
| chlcvons laugh. She read the wcakne
Of her rescurer, and treated it tcnderly.
"Whatcver lady has worn, is fl, for
lady It, wear" she said, and forlhwi,
wrapped herself, smiling, in the old gre
, shawl.
: AT that moment Tom, with his red shi
> cleaning in the setting sun, and s'rlr
Of fish on his shoulder, stood in Tie doc
. way.
I He stopped when he saw the que
standing upon the heartlstonc, brig
, fire behind her, and the kettle bo'iir
l checrily. She nodded to him tamlllar
8 Tom thought he must be dreaming.
r "rom aud are acquainted" said 81
= "Are vou ", resnunded the astOui,uI