Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-23
NO. 172.
Gales ano Skettbes.
THE HERO OPA NANTUCKET STORM.
Continued from Yesterday }

O'Clock"
''Zounds, am sorry for that, am
afraid il will come on To snow before he
comes home
20. | guess not. Don't worry. father.
| Go up on the lookout. and see how il ap-
pears in the harbor.'
He III his pipe and went aloit. 1t looked
bad. The outline of the water was lost,
| for sky and sea were as one, Gray masses
| laden with snow scudded before the wind;
the leatess trees swayed to and fro, and
creaked as if in pain. The snow-birds
| flew low to the ground; the pigeons how
cred in their cots. and held grave discus
Sions rs to their next mornings meal.
They knew 1.-The pantry door key would
ne lost and where would they get food?
| The short winter afternoon was to lose
| light earlier on account Of the tempest
now so near, and the Captain smoked and
thouoht-the boy was very dear to him;
he was his playfellow. and between them
was deep confidence. and when any par
ticuiar favor was wanted by the other
children. George was at once made spokes-
man.
Il guess, he soliloquized, 1.-THE old lady
won't let him come. or else she HIS start
ed him home long ago. Hang it! wish
he was at home"
He came down to the sitting-room
where the anxious mother still knitted in
silence.
"llow on earth. Mary" Che was al
ways excited when he dropped Mother"
and took up Mary" 'can you knit when
Georgia is away"
Il don't think my not knitting will do
any good, father. she replied gravely;
''but if it distrcsses vou will put up the
work. and read to YOU"
No No. am So anxious
"And so am | but we must wait and
Georgia will he here 1t does not storm,
and no doubt Jim will bring him home II
you cre So miserable. why don't you har
ness Nellie, and drive TO mothers tor
him ?''
II might miss hm--he might be in bed
and-there, guess that's him. he said,
rs the gate slammed.
No. il was Sam coming to do the stable
chores. which Ruth Jane who was sus-
pected OF IA leaning toward Sam, had al
ready finished.
Mr.. Smith laid down on the sofa. and
in a few minutes time. trouble and care
We're no more for him--he was sound
asleep. Twilight fell; and looking from
the window Mrs. Smith saw the snow
coming down in fine particles Her heart
fell, but her mother-courage revived
''Of course, ''hc is at mothers.
will go out and beat up some cakes and
send Ruth Jane Tor the children She
rolled up her knitting and went into the
well-apponted shining kitchen.
Oh it is snowin' orful ~ said the
washer of pots and pans "Sam's gone
down town for the mail, but he says the
River Queen cant come up this evening.
he don't believe"
"Why, is there a fog, Ruth Jane p''
'Lor? no ma'am, no fog, but mercy on
us the SHOWS that binding one can't see
cross the street. Is George comm to-
night, Miss Smith?n
II hope not; Jim may bring him. but
think mother will keep him--take the
waterproof. Ruth Jane, and 90 for Tom
and Susie and Nellie; they must come
with YOU. Don't leave them
Mechanically she beat the eggs. stirred
in the siited meal, poured on the milk,
| and whipped in the soft-boiled rice. Her
thoughts ran to sad tune. The batter
ready she covered the bowl. and went in
to the sitting room. She could stand the
uncertainty no longer.
Father! Father
We'll, well! what is it ?'' said the half
awakened man,
"You must get up, harness Nellie, and
drive out to mothers. and see if Georgie
| is there A terrible snow storm is on us.
and God alone knows where my darling
| is she sobbed.
'Now. mother. don't be uneasy--don't
cry. I'll 90 right away. He's all right.
1t H. = II
let the baby start Off by himself with a
storm brewin' Get thc blankets, heat the
soapstone. and when Tom comes in tell
him want him to hold the lantern. Wrap
! the boy well. mother, it's an awful night
he called back from the opened side
, door
While he was Harvesting the horse the
children came full of glee and merriment.
their cheeks flushed by excitement and
| their eyes aglow with pleasure. Snow
covered them as with mantle They
kissed their mother. and as each brushed
the other they all chattered like magpies
over the ''builv time' they had had.
| Il tell YOU. mother" said Tom, Jim
Coffin is brick at faffy pulling: his was
| the-what's the matter, mother? Where's
! father? Are YOU sick 2'' queried the boy.
.
was pale and grave and silent
II want you to put on thick coat, Tom.
/ Your father is harnessiDg Nellie; we are
! anxious about George, and he is going to
I grandmamma's for him. You will 20 to
hold the lantern
They were silent enough now. I'm
pending danger TO George meant unhap-
piness to all Of them. In little while
the carryall was on the way to Mr. Fos-
ter's, and the mother busted herself as
she might. The girls got out their dolls
and games, and tried TO play at play
The time hung heavily-but all
waiting has an ending. The gate opened
voices were heard. Mrs. Smith sprang
to the door.
.1s he there ?' she called
A silence pregnant with woe was her
answer.
Speak, father. tell me where he is. -
Mr.. Smith came In. His face looked
ten years older than when he started. He
spoke in a husky whisper.
1.-The little fellow left mothers before
four O'Clock; would not wait for Jim, and
ran away while she talked to him ten