Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1880-06-10
ROnRY SHAFTO.

That was not his real name, you
know; but only name given him by
Ada and me. His real name was Percy
Dana named for our father Perey's
father was Father Wizards dearest
friend; and when he died, Percy came
TO live with ms in our dear old Glouces-
ter home by the sea.
The large stone house, with its vine
covered walls, its wide, sunny windows
looking toward the ocean how plainly
can see it tonight, rs ! sit lonely
listening 20 the dreary November rain
A picture OF home on such night rs
this comes To me now see my father
sitting In his large easy-chair, drawn
close To the hearth. There is an open
blble ga his knees, and he is reading in
low voice to mother. who sits ut his
right hand, quietly knitting. There is
pleasant fire In the ample fireplace
and the hickory logs burn aud cracklc
cheerfuliy. Percy Is sitting with Ada
at the old round table, reading. am
studying my "Virgil;" but l look up
occasionally at the bright young faces
that ! love So dearly. Percy is strong
and tall and comely His face is not
handsome, but it Is fine face. The
mouth Indicates gentleness and is
pleasant mouth 10 look at; but the eyes,
under u broad white forehead, are Per-
cy's chief claim to beauty. No one
could ever tell their color, for il was
ever changing from hazel TO gray,
and now from gray to black. | was al
ways glad when Percy laughed or
smiled; for when in repose his eyes
were the saddest have ever seen In
human eountenance.
Il was on the evening of which |
have spoken that we first tried the
opera OF "Bobby ShaftO" Ada and
Percy had finished their reading. and l
my lesson, when Ada proposed we
should look over some music which
Uncle viii had sent rs from New York.
Among the collection we found this
pretty opera. Ada took il to the piano
and tried parts Of il here and there; and
then, turning to Percy and me, said;
why can we not give it9 Percy, you
shall be Bobby Shafto, and you, Helen,
shall be the heroine"
But said, quickly; "Oh! no, Ada,
am taller and cider than Percy, and
have not half so sweet voice rs your
own And so the matter was decided.
We gave it one November evening,
in the great oak parlors. Some Of the
Gloucester boys and girls came up TO
assist us; and wo were listened to by
large and delighted company fold and
young.
After the supuer was over and neigh
bors and friends had all left us, we
gathered around the ire, to talk over
the events of the night. Ada's cheeks
weres glowingand her fair, sweeteyes
were bright. as she sat on a stool at our
feet, looking dreamily into the fire.
~ was very proud OF you tonight.
little Ada" said Percy; "and in the
character of Bobby Shafto, pitied
myself when was obliged to go to sea
and leave YOU"
Ada looked up then, and her face was
very fair and girlish in the freight.
"Ohl but, Percy, / did really have TO
cry when the tidings came: Bobby
Sbafto's lost at sear II all seemed so
real. And when they came with the
glad song Bobby Shafto's found at
sear was so glad / nearly forgot to
sing. We viii always call you Bobby
Shafto from this night, think; but
will never dare have you go ON the wa
ter again, for fear you would never,
naver come back
As / looked down at Ada, / saw that
her eyes were full Of tears Percy re-
garded her for moment with look
full Of gentleness, and said;
ada, the good Father win watch
over us on sea, as ON land" and then,
as the hours waned, be kissed us good
night; but he kissed Ada with exceed
ing tenderness, and let his hand rest a
moment earessingly upon her bowed
head. ff
A little later, and we stood, with our
arms around each other, looking out
into the night. The sea lay calm, a
ribbon Of moonlight gliding its dark,
mysterious bosomi' and we could hear
the quiet washing Of the waves upon