Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-05-03

running into us, when / heard father
come stumbling up from the cabin, and
make as if to come forward to me.
"Prue," he cried, "Pruew
=" Yes, father, coming" I said ; and
then uttered wild shrek, and rushed
towards where the boat hung astern by
her painter, hauled her up and climbed
in; for no sooner had 1 answered than
heard cry and heavy splash, and ]
knew father had gone overheard.
was into the boat in moment, and
had the scull over the stern, padding
away in the direction that the cry had
come from; but, though I fancied in
those horrible minutes that l saw hand
stretched out of the water, asking as il
were for help, I padded and sculled
about till was far from our barge, and
then sank down worn out to utter moan
of horror, and sob, "Oh, father father
what shall I dol"
is that you, Prudence?" said q
voice.
"Yes, John, yes," I cried, looking
out through the darkness, out of which
boat seemed to steal till it was along.
side, when John stretched out his hand
and took mine.
"Quick !" I gasped, "save him, John
-father-gone overheard |"
"When you shrieked out, PrueP"
eyes, yes" walled; "oh, save him
save him |"
"My poor lass" he said, "that's q
good quarter of an hour ago, and the
tides running strong. I've been pad
ding about ever since, trying to find
you, for went up to the barge and you
were gone"
"But father, walled, father-save
him"
my poor little lass" he said, tender
ly, "Pd.j jump into the water now if you
bid me; but what can I do, you know,
Prudence, what can l do ?"
I did not answer, for 1 did know that
he must have been swept far away before
then; and I was beginning to feel that
was alone-quite alone in the world.
1t was quite six months after that
dreadful night that one evening John
came ashore from his barge to the cot
tage, where I was staying with his
mother, and had been ever since he had
brought me there, without seeing him
to speak to, only to wave my hand to
him as he sailed by. That evening he
came and looked wistfully at me and
said but little, and at last his time was
up and he rose to go.
walked down to his boat with him,
and on the way he told me that he had
got leave to alter the name of his barge,
and it was called the Prudence, too; and
then, without word about the past, he
was saying gcod-by, when I put my
hands in his and said quietly
"John, dear, I haven't forgot my
promise"
"And you are alone now, Prudence,
my lass" he cried eagerly.
"No, John, no." 1 said softly, as the
tears ran down my cheeks; {" I never
shall be while you live."
"Never, my lass, never" he cried.
"And you'll be my little wife?"
eyes, John, yes; I promised you"
"When [ come back from this voy-
age2"
eyes, John, when you will," said,
and with one long hand pressure we
phIGcu, anu l. Weub DdCh GO WdlG IOr
another month, and then I was his happy
little wife.
And there seemed no change, for I
was once more on the river or,out at sea,
leaning upon the tiller and gazing
straight before me, with the gulls wall
ing as they wheeled and dipped and
skinned or settled upon the water;
while the soft wind gently stirred the
print hood that was lightly tied over my
wind-ruffied hair. Only a bargeman's
young wife living on the tide, but very
happy; for John often points to the
great ships that pass us, with their cap
tains in their gold-laced caps. and as he
does SO he Whispers
"Not with the best among them,
Prue, not with the best; Wouldn't even
change places with king"
And if he is as happy as I, dear Jehn
is right. Casseps Magazine.