Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-06-14
THE sHIPwRECKED CHILD.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER 1.
Faster and faster spread the flames,
and now the ship was enveloped in a
fiery sheet. Men and women rushed
madly over the side to meet a quicker
but less painful death. The boats with
only one exception had been overladen
and capslZed. There were haoty pray
ers and heart-rending cries of misery
and distress. Death lowered, vulture-
like, over his victims; some clung des-
perately to the vessels side, some sup
ported themselves in the water by arti-
cles snatched hastily from the burning
ship, with which they had leaped wildly
into the sea. The Captain sang through
his trumpet:
"Take heart and sustain yourself as
long as possible. A ship is coming to
our rescue"
James Durant stood upon the almost
deserted deck with his only child, but
four years of age, folded closely in his
arms. His eyes swept the horizon in
search of the ship to which the Captain
had alluded. He discovered it at last,
but it was at least four miles off. Be-
fore the ship could arrive, they must be
burned to death; or, if he sprang, both
he and the child would be drowned, for
he was no swimmer.
The little arms were twined about his
neck, the pale cheek rested confidently
against his own, but the brave child did
not tremble.
80 my God! is there no helpp" cried
the despairing father, as the flames
swept near, and he felt that his present
- 4 l., 4
"Here, give the child to me, and l
will save herr and turning quickly,
Mr.. Durant stood face to face with a
stranger, who had lifo prosorvor in
his hand. "Quick! there is no time to
be lostl The child can have my life
preserver, and it will float her easily.
Yonder is another ship; 1 have been
watching it for the last five minutes. 1t
will reach us in half an hour at most.
There, that is fastened securely. Now,
little girl, am going to throw you into
the water. You are not afraidp"
Z" No, no, but papaP"
The father caught her frantically in
his arms.
"My darling Eva, you may never see
your father again. but do not fear
God will guard you, and somebody will
find and take care of you. If you never
see papa again, remember he is in
heaven with mamma"
"H Has she no relativesp" asked the
stranger.
None in this country; l am from
England, and am travelling for her
health"
"Take that pin from your bosom, and
fasten it into her clothing
Heaven help you for the thought, ="
said the father; and in a moment the
square and compass were glittering on
the bosom of the child, and the stran-
ger took the fathers arms, saying:
"I | am stronger than you; she must
be cast beyond the reach of the poor,
drowning wretches, or they will rob her
of her life-preserver."
The white drapery fluttered through
the air, and sank below the waves; then
rising it foated lightly on the water.
James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes, saying:
"May God bless you and preserve
you, noblest of men. But you, as well
as myself, must be lost"
"No; am good swimmer, and
here is piece of board with which you
can sustain yourself until relief arrives. {"
The father cast another glance at the
white speck rapidly floating away, and
with an inward: "God preserve her!m
sprang into the sea, followed by the
stranger; but the two fioated in differ
ent directions, and they saw each other
no more.
Twohours later, j James Durant awoke,
as from the sleep of death, and found
himself in a cabin of a strange ship,
with kind and sympathizing faces all
around him. In moment he realized
all that passed, and said, eagerly,
though feebly:
My child-little Eva; is she safeP"
There was no response, and low
moan escaped the fathers lips.
Courage, SIR" said lady, with
fearful eyes; "some of the passengers
were saved by another ship"
"God grant that she may be safe"
Mr.. Durant recovered his usual
strength in few hours, and sought
among the saved for the stranger who
had proved himself so true Masonic
brother, but who was not to be found.
r''He must be on the other ship" said
Mr.. Durant, "and he will care for Eva"
Both ships were at port the following
day, but although Mr.. Durant found the
stranger who had befriended him, and
had proved 10 be Mr.. Wadsworth
from Southern city, Eva was seen by
no one, and given up as lost.
CHAPTER III