The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-10-24
SHIPS AT SEA.

"Ir was real good of you to wait for
me, mamma. Brother Johns pond is
splendid, and we have had such q jolly
time sailing our boatsr' and Ned How
ard put his ship carefully down on the
gravel-walk, then fell on his knees be-
side it, little thinking of the white pam
falcons over which poor Bridget had
wasted SO many signs while ironing.
"Now. sister, amt she reg-er-lar
beauty? Honor bright! she is the pref
test craft in the town. and Ned put
his head on one side, and for the space
of one minute was lost in admiration of
his treasure.
Then, looking up, he said, "Papa,
could you stop reading for a few mo-
ments and tell me something? Knight
forget, you know"
Certainly, my boyr' replied Mr..
Howard, closing his book. "Is it a
question in Greek or Latin?'' and a
smile fitted over his face.
mo, sir; deeper than that" Ned an
swered. "You see, in the first place,
we were having a high time down at
the pond, and my Lucy beat Ned
Thornton's Jane all to bits;'' and
Ned's eyes sparkled with the memory
of his victory.
"Just as 1 had wound up all my
string, one end of which was fastened
to 'Lucy's' bow, Mr.. Thornton came
along. He looked at Lucy and said,
We'll, Ned, my boy, hope all your
ships at sea may come in as safely, but
we have to wait until we cross the
river before we see many of Them
The he told of the fun he used to have
when a boy. 1 declare, he is a minis
ter I like; he's always so kind, and
with a pleasant word for boys. What
he says sticks, 1 tell your and in Ned's
energetic admiration for Mr.. Thornton,
hegave the " Lucy an affectionate slap
which endangered her beauty. But
what did Mr.. Thornton mean by that
about ships at sea?' ="
"Mr. Thornton was right, Ned. His
idea was that we seldom see our ships
in this life, though we send many out
from port"
"But how, papa?'' and Ned's face
wore puzzled expression.
"We all send different cargoes," his
father replied. "SOme mems ships
are laden with ambition, pride, the love
of money, envy or hatred; these have
black sails. AS life draws hear to the
end, we can easily distinguish them
from the pure white sails of love,
charity, faith and patience, with the
motto, With Gods help for the
watchword. A kind word TO some poor
boy, or even q bone to q starved dog,
is tiny craft which goes forth sailing
into the great unknown, and may some
day come back, as a long forgotten sail
came into my harbor few days since.
"You remember my saying feared
I must have lawsuit with Mr.. Jones
about some California land? Last
Thursday Mr.. Jones came to my office
to show me his deeds: His face seemed
very familiar, but thought 1t tt1ust be
d Resemblance to some 0ie had
known. Mr.. Jones looked at me q
moment; and then coming forward said
very cordially, This must be Mr..
Howard. I can never forget you, for
you once saved my honor when 1 was
. boy in your fathers Office
Then it came back to me, like =
long forgotten dream, of a bright Office
boy for whom had once done some
thing, but what 1 could not remember.
So said, Oh yes, l know you; but as
to the favor, the long years since then
must be my excuse for forgetting
"'Ah! it was a small matter to you,
but the turning point in my life, for it
made me trust that there was real kind
ness in the world, and that a rich
mans son could take the part of a poor
boy and fight rnanfully for him.
II replied, my curiosity fully
aroused, Come! this is hardly fair,
you must tell what did,
"'Do you remember John Haskins7'
he answered.
Indeed do, and great rascal he
turned out. by the way, Jones, did
you not have some trouble with himr
/ said, for just at that moment he, too,
seemed connected in my mind.
"'Now you have the missing link,
Mr.. Howard. Yes; John Haskins ac-
cused me Of stealing, and, when on
clear evidence your father discharged
me, you begged might remain few
days for further proof
"'Ah! I remember I laughed.
That was my first case. I cleared
you and convicted Haskins. How proud
/ was when my father said, Ralph,
my boy. persevere; 1 have great hope
Of you!''
"' No more proud than when went
home to my sick mother, whom sup
ported, and told her l still held my
position, and that my honesty was
clear. That was q happy day. Mr.,
Jones said, his voice trembling.
"'And where have you been all
these yearse Has fortune favored your
"Yes; beyond my largest hopes,
he answered. After my mothers
death Invent to her brother in Califor-
mia. I got on we'll, and at my uncle's
death inherited his property. These
papers, which prove your title to your
land there, I received from him.; and
handing me q small package, he add
ed, It gives me'pleasure to pass them
over to you in memory of your first
case.'
II thanked him; and he dimes with
us this evening, when he will tell you
in his own way Of my ship at sea-"
IS. s. Nsit0r.
Carrier Pigeons.
Do YOU remember what the Pro-
fona0s, aai6 ahr,.A Avsnp machines. hoxu,