The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1877-06-21
WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN.

WHEN THE SHIP COMES IN.
A sweet.faced woman and sweet
faced child are wandering among the
shipping docks of the great city
The woman is plainly dressed, but
evidently in her best attire, and there
is touch of gentility in her fnery,
in the real lace collar, relic of better
days, perhaps, the pearl earrings
and the neat gloves. The child is
neatly dressed too, and as she clasps
the woman's hand looks love ut her
guardian.
But the woman's face is not at its
best nowhere is an anguished ex-
preston upon it, care-worn look,
and faint wrinkle upon the pale
forehead that ages her and lessons
the charm of her features.
She is inquiring of the dock men,
of the stevedores, ofthe lounger about
the wharves, whether the brig "Good
Luck" has come in. She always re-
ceives the same reply to her eager
question, and that reply is-that the
brig "Good Luck" has not come in;
but they have too much humanity
to tell her that this same brig "Good
Luck" has been lost q month ago,
dashed on a lee shore and ndsground to
pieces by the sea, will never come in
-never-ncvermore!
If they told her she wouldn't be-
lieve them, for this woman and her
child have supreme faith-feel as
sure as God rules that the brig "Good
Luck" will come in, and comein soon
with cargo and crew, though they
have been asking the same question,
and praying the same prayer for
for many and many aday.
Then she goes across the street and
winds her way among the bales and
boxes and passing carts, and through
all the hubbub and hustle of the
wharf, and climbs u fight ofstairs to
where the briggs owners have their
Office. They are used to seeing her.
They smile sadly when she enters
with the child, and look significantly
at one another as much as to say,
'EPoor thing! she's mad, No wonder,
no wonderp
Mad Yes, she is mad with "hope
deferred" with anxiety to meet her
husband, Caleb Setter, master of the
brig "Good Luck"-to meet the mas
ter of the brig, her husband md the
father of this child. God of Heaven,
why does he stay away from her so
long?
as the Good Luck in YETI" she asks
of clerk.
"Not yet, ma'am."
"She's 'sexpected, of course to-day?'
"Of course"
"Therc's vessel coming in now,
see the tallmasts. Look! look" point
ing out of the window to the river
front. Maybe that's It'll Ellie; dear
look! there's vessel, with father on
boardl"
The child clasps her little hands
at the sight.
Sorry to say that amt it ma'am,"
says the clerk relaxing into his cal
culations; and paying no more at
tention to the woman.
She stares out the window at the
approaching vessel drawn by a tug,
and then with u blank look upon her
face and moan that is heart render
ing says:
"No, Ellie, mol That is not the
Good Luck. / see, the fguro-head OF
the Good Luck is an angela white
and goldenangel. Mol mol that isn't
it,"
"But papa will come home soon,
won't he mammal" whispers the
child. ayes, yes, ycsl To-day, my
darling, TO day
Old Mr.. Tawman, who is the head Of
the establishment here, now comes
from behind his desk and approach
ing the woman says in II kindly
tone:
"NIrs. Setter, sit down; mako your
self as comfortable as you can in a
dingy office like this, Hero little
one, come here; give me kiss. A
bright, pretty little dear, Mrs. Sell
ter"
"Shc looks pale" soid the mother.
"She is tircd-she has been walking
too much"
Mamma, | don't mind walking to
find father, am not tired"
The old gentleman sits down and
lifts tho little girl on his knee and
kisses hor.
sho winds her arm around his
neck and oxclaims;