Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-11-04

hlent made MN SICK WlCn Terror III
the midst of the breakers lay a large
square rugged vessel, helplessly pound
ing to pieces upon the outer bar. In the
intervals of the winds moaning Wally
could hear the despairing cries of those
on board, who seemed to call to him to
save them.
| The life-saving station was not yet
opened for the season. The Captain and
his men lived upon the mainland, across
wide and Swift-lowing channel in the
marsh, called the "ThorOughfare." To
reach them was one of the most vital
Importance, for their hands only could
drag out and man the heavy surf-bOat,
or fire the mortar and rig the life-car.
All this passed through Wally's mind
in Il few seconds, and knowing that his
helpless father could do nothing, and
that an alarm might make him worse,
he sped silently down the stairway and
setting fire to "Coston TORCH" such as
are used by the coast-guard in cases of
wreck, he rushed from the house, swing
ing the torch, that burned with bright
red flame, above his head as he ran.
Half a mile across the sands there was
small boat landing, where a skiff usu-
ally lay moored.
Toward this Wally sped with all his
strength; but, alasl the waves had lifted
it, the winds had broken it from its
mOorings and it was floating miles away
down the "Thoroughfare," and now
Wally stood upon the landing, in the
blackness of the night, full of despair.
He might swim, but he had never tried
half the width of the channel before.
He looked into the blackness beyond
and hesitated then 1T the lighthouse,
where his mother still sat in the little
watch room ministering to his injured
father; then he thought of the poor men
out in the breakers, whose lives depend
ed upon his reaching the crew.
But moment longer he stood, and
then throwing off his coat, he tied a
sleeve securely about Il post so it would
be known, in case he should fail, how he
lost his life. And now he was i'll the
icy waters. The wind helped him along,
but the incoming tide swept him far out
of his course. As he gained the middle
of the channel he thought how bitter the
consequences might be to his father if
the crew of the ship were lost, for who
would believe the story of the wild
fowls blow? This nerved his tired
arms, but the effort was too much for
his strength. He paused, and threw up
his arms. AS his form sank beneath
| the waves, his toes touched the muddy
bottom, and his hand swept among some
weeds. One more effort as he came to
the surface, and now he could stand
with his mouth out of water. a mo-
ment's rest, and he was tearing aside
the dense flags that bordered the chan
mel.
The Captain, a good mile from the
Thoroughfare, had left his warm bed to
fasten loose window shutter, when he
saw small form tottering toward him,
and Wally fell. weak and voiceless at
his feet. Restoratives were brought and
the boy told his story.
Ten minutes later halfa dozen of the
crew were on tue way to the landing,
| Wally, now fully recovered, foremost
among them. He seemed to possess
wonderful strength. They crossed the
channel. and dragged out the great life
boat from its house. 1t hardly appear
ed possible to launch it in such a sea,
but each man, in his excitement, had the
strength of two, and without waiting to
be bid, Wally leaped into the stern and
grasped the helm.
"Well done, bOyT' cried the Captain.
"Pll take an oar; we need all help to-
night"
Through the night the faithful crew
| pulled, bringing load after load of men,
women and children from the wreck of
the "Argonaut" to the shore, until all
were saved. The little house under the
light was well filled, and the sailors
were crowded into the life-saving sta
| tiOn.
"Where is my father?" asked Wally ;
and as man came forward with his
head bandaged, in reply, the boy sank
down, and a blackness came over his
eyes.
When he recovered he was in beau
tiful room, into which the sun ShOne,
lighting up the bright walls, pictures
and carpets. He was on pretty bed
stead, and strange lady sat by the
window talking to his mother. He
thought it all dream. The door OPEN
ed, and Mr.. Burton came in, dressed in a
fiSherman's suit. How queer he looked
in such garbl and Wally laughed at
the sight, and thought that when he
awoke he would tell his mother about it.
1t happened that the ship which had
come ashore was one belonging to Mr..
Burton, who was on board, returning
from a trip to the Mediterranean. So
he had opened the cottage at Three Pine
Point, and as the little house under the
light was full, had insisted upon having
Wally, with some others, brought to his
summer home, where he could care for
them.
Everybody had learned of the boys
brave swim; all had seen him in the life
boat, and they were anxious to have
him recover soon.
Wally, too, learned that the ship had
become helpless long before she had
struck the shore, and that her loss was
not caused by his fathers mishap.
When Wally had recovered, Mr.. Bur
ton and some of the other passengers
insisted upon taking him to the city,
where they had full suit of wrecker's
clothes made for him-cOrk jacket, SOU
wester and all. He was also presented
with a silver watch and a medal for his
bravery. When he was dressed in his
new suit Miss Elsie made sketch of
him, whereupon Wally blushed more
than he had done during all the praises
lavished upon him.
At the close of the next summer Mr..
Burton arranged with the light-keeper
to let him send Wally to a city school,
and for the next four years the
boy lived away from the little house on
the sands, making only occasional visits
to his home.
Then Mr.. Burton took him into his
office, where he worked faithfully for
tive years; but his old life by the sea
caused longing for sailors career
and his employer wisely allowed him to
go upon cruise in one of his ships. Upon
the following voyage he was made a
mate, and this year he is to command a
new ship now being built. Captain
Wally was asked the other day to sug-
gest name for the new craft, and
promptly gave as his choice the Elsie.
And Elsie Burton, who is now an art
iSt has nainted two pictures for the