The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-09
FRANK.

"Motherr'
The loud, boyish voice rang through
the quiet house. The mother, sewing in
her sunny chamber, heard but did not
answer; she knew by long experience
that the call was only courier, sent on
in advance to announce the coming of
him whose feet were even then bounding
up the stairs, and who burst into the
room with all the noise it is possible for
an active hoy of fourteen to make in that
simple act.
Mother, Uncle Charlie is going blue
fishing, and wants me to 60 with him;
may II"
Her eyes rested upon him a moment
before she gave consent. He was the
only son of his mother, and she was
widow" His father, and several others
of his kindred, lay beneath the waves.
Perhaps she thought of them as she
gazed so fondly upon his face, glowing
with health and animation. But he had
spent half of his summer life in and
upon the water; she did not think of re-
fusing his request-only added to her
consent a hope that he would be careful.
80 mother! there isn't bit of danger
with such sailor as Uncle Charlie; be-
sides, if do get tipped over, can swim
ashore; why, could swim from here to
the Neckw
81 should not want you to try such a
swim as that, Frankly"
Frank turned to 90, but paused per-
haps the MOTHERHOOD drew MIN back; he
stole shyly to the back of her chair, and,
leaning over her, kissed her forehead
hurriedly, and then ran away. The I'M
usual caress warmed her heart, and the
thought of it was a comfort to him be-
fore the day was over.
Capt. Charlie was waiting, and they
started briskly for their walk of a mile
to the shore. The Captain was young
man still, but sun-stroke, received
while on duty in hot climate, had dis
abled him from active service, and in
deed from prolonged or violent exertion
of any kind. Frank liked nothing better
than to be with him, he had so many
stories to tell of foreign countries and
hairbreadth escapes at sea; besides, he
could tell him stories of his father-his
brave, noble father-of whom his mother
could not speak without tears Frank
had seen very little of his father; he
could remember few brief visits, when
he had come like good providence with
wonderful gifts, and the few weeks of
his stay had been one joyful holiday
time, with visits and merry markings, the
little boy always at his fathers side, "to
get acquainted" the Captain said. Then
had come the parting, and the counting
up of months, and weeks, and days I'M
til his return. Alas! the last reckoning
had ended in the bitterness of despair.
But sorrow, thank God! cannot stay
long with the young; and Frank, walking
by his uncle's side, with many skip and
a bound of overlooking life, was as hap
ply as he could be. Before reaching the
shore they saw man with lines, appar-
emily bent upon the same errand as
themselves. They recognized him as
one Josiah Smith, man of many occu-
pations beside that of fisherman.
"Going blue-fshing, 'Si?" said the
Captain, as they overlook him.
"Ya-as, eff / can find a boat; it's
good day for IT," drawled shiftless Isl
Capt. Charlie thought of the wife and
two little children to be supported by his
uncertain earnings, and good-naturedly
offered him a place in his boat, which
was accepted, and they were soon off and
ready for business.
Boys, did you ever go blue-fshing? If
so, you would have said there could not
be finer day for the sport than that
which Frank and his uncle had taken.
1t was a cool day in early autumn; the
sky was deeply blue, the sun often OBJ
scured by flying clouds, and the north
west wind blowing briskly. On such
day step into your boat, give her all the
sail she will carry, let out your lines
astern, then, as the boat bounds along,
the greedy fish jump at the bait, and you
have nothing to do but take them in as
fast as you please; is not this better than
to float lazily about, hour after hour, in
the common way of fishing?
The sport proved to be all that the
day had promised. Back and forth
through the bay the boat 1ew-the fish
shoaled behind; the fishers had all they
could do to attend to the lines, and did
not notice that the clouds became darker
and more threatening, until a gust of
wind tipped the boat so much that the
water poured over her side.
eve must haul in sail" cried the
Captain, springing up and shouting out
orders to Frank unlocking fish, and
the slow-moving 'Siah.
Too latel Another and stronger gust
completely capsized the boat, and her
three late occupants struggled in the
water. OF course they could swim-no
boy nor man in the little sea-coast town
of Dunkirk could not-and they made
for the boat, which floated keel up, and
supported themselves as well as they
could upon the sloping bottom. The
next thing to do was to take review of
the situation, and determine what was
best to be done. They were in the chan.
mel, distant about three-quarters of a
mile from the main shore, and somewhat
nearer the "Neck" ia long sandy cape,
inclosing the bay upon its northern side.
The water was intensely cold, and so was
the wind, as it blew upon them wet to
the skin. No other boat was out-their