Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-11
Confined from First Page. }

take the other child. This way please.
A gray-haired old Englishman Offered
his arm with dignity and grace i'm curl
Gus contrast with his faded clothes.
''It's to old England you are bound
marm?r
The woman nodded her head, and sud
den tears filed her eyes.
This is NV state-room," said the wife
lyon and the little ones are welcome t,
II until We reach the steamer"
The woman entered and sat down or
the sofa, and stretched out her arms fol
the baby.
mo; it's asleep now. I'll put it in the
berth. Shut the door, Jack"
Such coy home! square room with
doors on two sides, and two windows
looking out on deck. There were two
neat berths on one side, table, mirror
and sofa on the fourth, and in the center a
steam radiator with marble top. Two
comfortable chairs, sewing machine
workable and a faded carpet. On tie
walls few prints, sailors cap and d
small case of books. Lace curtains before
the berhs, and, beneath, set of drawers
The stranger took the child in her LAP
and gazed around the room in evident
surprise.
"This is my home," said the captains
wife.
ut is very pretty, indeed. And you
live here ''
"Yes, we live on the Jane. 1t is my
husbands boat. Are you going to Eng
land?"
"Yes, that is my home lived in Kan.
81 baf,,ra mr. hp- hand biaI -
'And have you just come from therep''
Eyes. We were fifly-six hours on the
road"
1T was a long ride. have never been
west. New York, or rather North river,
is my home. I've never been away from
this coast. OH wouldn't you like some
tea? The kettles on now"
The woman gave look of unmistakable
pleasure.
"Yes, thank you"
1t was feast to the hungry boy. and the
mother seemed too grateful for expression.
Even the little one walked to have his feast.
and thus they sat as the lively Jane sped
through the storm and the sea. Ships
mast and trailing clouds Of smoke swept
past the window. The rain ratified in
trickling torrents on the roof, and the tea
spoons ratified In silverv treble on the table
in the jar of the machinery. The baby
slept again, lulled by the lullaby of the
throbbing engine beating its impulse in
steady rythmic measures.
A shadow swept past the window. and
the wife rose and looked out.
The steamer is anchored just inside the
Narrows. | must 60 and see if John wants
A..I g., l. l.. al
they come for YOU
The tug came up alongside the steam
ship, and was preparing to put a line to
her. The storm seemed to rage in wilder
fury here. Huge waves rolled in from the
sea, and the Jane seemed mere cookie
shell as she pitched and reeled over them
The steamship lay quiet on the water, her
vast bulk making her Indifferent to these
comparatively moderate seas. A ladder
with plank dashed to it fell on the top of
the house. Another ladder was put up
from the deck. and. one at time, the
steerage passengers were handed up. As
the Jane rose on the crest of wave, the
ladder was for an instant level, and then,
with quick run, the men and women
were hurried on board. Arms were stretch
ed to assist them over the perilous way,
and Jack and the captain steadied the lad
der Not word was said il was useless.
The screaming of the wind in the iron rig
ging. the roar of the steam blowing from
the safety-valvc. the clank of the anchor
engine, and the smash and dash of tn,
waves mingled in the uproir. The boat
SWANS whistle piped shrill over all, and
the monster began to move. The waves,
caught between the two steamers, leaped
in white clouds of spray over the wheel
house. The condenser began to throw
huge stream OF hot water over the James
deck. There were hoarse command,
shrill pipings, and frantic gestures. Tie
last mail bag went flying through the air.
and the last wretched passenger. wet and
frightened, was put aboard. The wife.
with steady nerves, held the wheel. She
started the engine, and flung the wheel
round with vigorous stroke. The boat
churned up the sea, and with staggering
plunge struck off from the steamship. A
sudden calm tell on the boat. and there
was only the wash of the sea and the throb
Of the engine.
The captain entered the wheel-house
beaming with delight.
tifnlly."
She smiled as she gave up the wheel,
and said "Of course, dear; it's our boat,
and my husband was my teacher. Say,
John, did you see the widow with the
baby? 1t was such lovely babe. 1t made
my heart ache To think Of them with all
those Storage. / gave her lunch, and
she seemed very grateful. Think of it
they came all the way from Leavenworth,
Kansas, alone.'
The wife opened the door, and stepped
out on the deck over the house. For a
moment she gazed after the retrca,ing
steamship, and then went slowly down the
steps to her state-room. In an instsnt after
she came flying up again in frantic haste.
With tear-filled eyes and quivering voice
she opened the wheel-house door. and
cried:
Continued Tomorrow.
State News