New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-17
BOAT, BABY AND PILOT.

sk
BOAT. BABY AND PILOT.
Propeller, compound direct-action en-.
CINE, two hundred horse power! A good
eos. boat, ninety-seven feet over al, 200 tons
burden, cOppered below, and q fine sea
green above tho water line. House on deck
for engine, captains quarters, cook room,
state rooms, etc., with wheelhouse on top
A short, wellmade, rather plain young
woman, Gray eyes, bronzed complexion,
and quiet cir of reserve. suggested girl
mstured BY the aaltbresth sea. Her father
had been . pilot, her home the southern
shores Of Long Island, her husband owned
this boat, and on 1t she had lived since her
wedding day. By nsme. both boat and
woman were knotn ~ "Jane," with an
a6i1-"Thompson"-for the wife.
Tho door Of tho Wheel house opened, and
the captain entered. A sea-fsfinR man, tall,
buehy bearded and manly. He ouietlv
took the wheel, sad the wife sat dom ~
tho !esther covered sofa behind him.
THE Frenchman IL ont, and the National
nas started. The Canada has whistled, but
the rest seem quiet. I suppose the Whita
Star will 70 belowf" =
"9es," said the man. 'Ifs : Low o.
q tide. She'll 60 down aad Wait" ~ssse
u suppose You will -
wife. = sAo1 .-sseaSs DOWN. said the
s-.s.xN The otasE," replied TIE ,..,ssip
-srku fang the bell.
The msiis ana Ssestsss ase A. s.vs ,.ts
= srhe advertised Mailing hour had beer
announOed for two m01Shs. and vet mi
. hundred people were collected. On tn.
pier.
the wheel houss Windows motley com
paay, befaaoea With vsluslessT treasures
They crowded ON board the jaee, and sal
Gown On the wet deck in ell the rain and
dfissls. One y0uBg woman In faded black
led crying child by one arm and tried to
euppOrt Q baby in the other.
."Poor woman! She looks dragged out
I've mind to take her into our state-room,
John" ~ s.
Eyes, 1 would. She'll h.ve . tough time
viii real sympathy she opened the wheel.
house door and stepped out on the roof Of
s"Let the woman with the baby have my
room. jack" -
Eyes, marm."
The woman entered and sat down on the
sofa, and stretched her arms for the baby.
mo; it's asleep now: I'll put it in the
berth. Shut the door. Jack"
Such cosy home. A square room with
doors os two sides, and two windows look
ing out on the deck. There were two neat
berths on ono side. Q table, mirror and sofa
on the fourth, and IN the centre steam
radiator with . marble top. Two comfort
able chAire, sewing machine, work table
and faded carpet On the walls few printe,
. sailors esp and small case of books
Lace curtsins before tho berths and beneath
The stranger took the other child in her
lsp and gased round the room in evident
.This is my home," said the captains
.i.'s vsly pretty; and yon live hsrer,
Eyes, We live on the ] ane. It's my hus-
bands boat: AFe you going to Eaglandw
sas before my husband died."
"And have you just como from therep
"Yes. We were ffty.six hours on the
road."
at was a long ride. I've never been
West, New York, or rather North River,
h my home I've never been away from
ths coast. Oh! wouldn't yeu lie como teai
Tho kettlc's on now" ;,
Tho woman ave look of unmistakable
Eyes, thank You. We have hsd nothing
10 cot sisce-Ahl what 10 thatip :. - :
"Ob, that's nothing; its only the engine
in the next room. We are starting"
The jar and tremor Of the boat seemed to
Brighten the mother. VI
''Never fear; it always tremblee."
"The steamer 10 anchored just outside the
Earrows. must 60 and gee if John wants
1nything. Make yourself comfortable till
they come for you"
The tugcame mp opgsids the steamship
The storm seemed to rage in wilder fury
mere, Huge waves rolled in from the sea- |
ana the Jane seemed q mere cookie shell az |
ohe reeied and pitched over them. The |
steamship lay quiet on the water, her vaster
bulk making her Indifferent to those com |
parstively moderate seas. A ladder with .
plank lashed t0it was run out from the |
steamers deck, and it fell on the top of the
house. Another ladder was put up from
the deck, and. ono at time, the steersee
passtn we're handed up. The wife with
steady nerves held the wheel. She started
her engine and flung the wheel around With
vigorous stroke. The bost churned MP the
Des, and with . staggering plunge struck
pf from the steamship. Asudden calm fell
% the boat, and there was only the wash
Of the sea and the thrOb of the engine.
The captain entered the Wheel.house
beaming with delight.
ally" "1
She smiled % she gave mp the wheel. and.
With wifely kiss, said: -
''Of course, dear. LES our boat, and NV
, 70. sI -, was my teacher. Say, John, did
'ueh lovely babe. 1t makes INV hear
lche to think Of them with all those steer
lge. gave her . lunch, and she seemed
.ery grateful. Think IF it! They came ali
'Ae way from LoxvenW0rth, Kansas, alone
Inc wife opened the door and stepped out
y the deck over the house. For 8 moment
me gszed after the retreating steamship.
NO tnen vent tlowly down the steps to her
tete' room In an instant after she came !
!ying up again in frantic haste. With tear
He'd eyes and quiveriDg voice she opened
- Wheel house door and cried:
"0h; J"1nl the baby ! They have left
Good heavens! What do you mean ,n
"Ihey have lett the child IN our room.
70 asleep ID my bed. The womsn-must t
have left 1t in tho confusion. and" Ia
The rest of tho sentence was lost in the /
'ar of the steam whistle. The CAPITA !
rang to the speaking tube, and shouted q
the engineer ~ d
"Give 1t to her wide I"
The wheel went round with rush, And q
q boat keeled over in the water.
"Call Jack, Jane Tell him to get out a
e flag and run her up. Union down.
The stokers in their cave shoveled their n
. wing caverns full. The feed pump clst- j,
'ed in angry fury The rusty boilers
'med 70 strain and hiss with pentur /
my. The engine Feared. The .uuiyeTine l a
nd Oh the steam gauge rose among the
u.5 - -.'. . .,. ~ n /, o. :. go.