Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-01-02
One New Years Eve at Squambo.
BY T. C: HARBAUGH,

"A SiCal u6uy Ol ny young r6oQ6r6
do not know where Squambo Is. It is
not city, for large places would not
own such queer name, nor Is 1t Yam.
kee village as its cognomeu would sng-
gest; but tall, DARK looking light
house, around whose titanic base the
waves lash themselves into fury.
Squambo's light has been blessed many
times by storm tossed sailors, who
thought OF the children who nightly
lit the great revolving lamps to warn
them OF breakers and danger.
1t was New Years eve, and the
light keepers grandchildren, five in
mber, were enjoying themselves in
one OF the queer shaped rooms of the
old light tower. The lamps had been
lighted by their busy fingers, and the
beacon WAS flashing over the stormy
waters. The old man sat in his arm
chair telling stories to the little ones,
whore father was away at sea. They
were not listening with much interest
TO the old man, for their papa had
promised to be at home on New Years
day, and they had grown impatient
and uneasy.
All at once the mother rushed into
the room. Her face was white, and,
instantly, the old light keeper broke
his story. The children started up and
looked at their mother.
"A vessel has struck the sharp rocks!'
she said. Il hear the cry of distress
and the boom of the cannon above the
roar of the wind
1t may be papa's shipp
These terrible words blanched the
cheeks OF every one, and the old light
keeper managed to rise.
Ring the bell, mother. Let them
know that we hear themp
1 will ring it, mother!' cried q little
girl of ten, as she few up the steps to-
wards the belfry.
The wind Is loudest bet- IN Us and
the shore, and the mes .0ere cannot
hear the distressed. q the water
mad?
1t is white with foam,' replied the
mother.
But boat can live in it!' said the
Oldest lad, ruddy boy Of sixteen.
News must be carried ashore, and we
can do it,
You, children?'
Yes; we are strong, and papa may
De on the rocks
The sailors wife gazed proudly upon
her children, and took them in her
arms and kissed them. 7
She knew something which she dared
not communicate. Her husband was
in the Inflated ship, for she had heard
his sigual above the roaring Of the
storm.
Her children were strong and coura-
geOus. They launched the boat, and
four pairs of oars drove 1t out into the
maddened sea.
Charlie, Henry, Mabel and Alice
knew how to handle oars, and the boat
put out for the distant mainland, while
Mary rang the bell with all her might.
For moment the waves seemed to
ingulf the little folks, but they kept
the boat righted, and seemed to laugh
at the winds as their paddles sported
with foam and wave.
The mother watched her darlings till
gigantic wave seemed to swallow
them, then ascended to the crest OF the
light house to await results.
1t was fateful New Years eve for
the tenants of Squambo. They did not
know how it would end.
AT last lights cleaned along the
beach; they seemed TO tell the watch
ing mother that the boat and Its pre-
cious freight had reached it in safety.
Another hour rolled on. The signal
of distress had ceased, and shouts of
triumph came from the shore.
Suddenly a cry came up from the
very foot OF the light house, and the
courageous mother, leaning over the
railing, saw boat flung high upon the
rocks by the waves.
She fastened below to be greeted
with the cry:
Papa Is safe! safe at homer
1t was happy New Years eve ct
Squambo after all, for the sailor was
on board the unfortunate ship. All
had been saved In boats, from the
shore, and the people were blessing the
brave children of Squambo light.
know that my readers love to heal
about such brave boys and girls, and
feel that on New Years they will think
of the denizens of the old light house
and wish them happy time. Fol
they are there still, ready to succor and
to save.
God bless the brave little folks o
Squambo.
There seems to be strong disposition t
re. elect all the minor officers OF the Assembly
in this State. The Clerk, Mr.. johnson, l
sure Of re election; the present Sergcant-at-
Arms, Mr.. Orr, is apparently the strongest
certainly the most deserving candidate 10
that place; and II Is understood that Henr.
| Wheeler, the present doorkeeper, wiz b
chosen again. Mr.. Wheeler Is veteran
fought bravely In the Army, and has Away
been stesdfas. Republican. he should b
reelected.