The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-18
When the Ship Comes In.

'ANA %AAO SAAap AOAAAoS AlAs
A sweet>faced woman and swcet-faccd
child arc wandering among the shipping
docks of the great city. Tho woman Is
plainly dressed, but evidently In her bost
attire, and there is touch of gcntllity in
her finery, In the real lace collar, relics of
better days, perhaps, the pearl earrings
and the neat gloves. Tho child Is neatly
dressed, too, and as she clasps tho wolnan's
hand, looks love at her guardian. But The
woman's face Is not at its best now, caro-
worn look, and faint wrinkle UPON the
pale forehead that ages her and lessons the
charm of her features.
She Is inquiring OF the dockmcn, of the
steVedores, Of the loungers about the
wharves, whether the brig Good Luck has
come la. She always receives the same
reply to her eager question, for the brig
Good Luck has been lost a month ago,
dashed on a lee shore, and ground to pieces
by the soa, and will never come in--ncvcr
never more.
Ii they told her, she wouldn't believe
them, Tor the woman and hir child have
supreme faith TINT the brig Good Luck
will como in soon with cargo and crew,
though they have been asking the same
question and same prayer for many and
many II day.
Then she goes across the street and
winds her way among the bales and boxes
and passing carts, and through all the hub
bub and hustle of the wharf, and climbs a
flight Of stairs to where the briggs owners
have their oilicc. They arc used to seeing
her. They smile sadly when she cutters
with the child, and look Significantly at one
another, as much as 20 say: "Poor thing
she's mad No wonder, no wonder |"
Madl Yes, she is mad with ''hope de-
ferred," with anxiety to meet her husband,
Caleb Shelter, master of the brig Good
Luck; TO meet the master OF the brig, her
husband and the father of her child. Why
does he stay away from her 80 long9
'ls the Good Luck in yet2" she asks of
a clerk.
"Not yet, ma'am."
''Shc is expected, Of course to-day7"
''Of course"
There's vessel coming In now. see
the tall masts. Lookl Look /" pointing
out of the Office window to the river front.
"Maybe that's 1t! Ellie, dear, look! there's
fathers vessel, with father OH board!"
The child clasps her little hands at the
sight.
Sorry to say that amt it, ma'am,"
says the clerk, relapsing into his calcuIa-
tions and paying no more attention to the
woman.
She stares out of tho open window nt
the approaching vessel drawn by tug,
and then with blank look upon her face,
and moan that is hcartrending, says
"No, Ellie, moi That is not The Good
Luck. I sec the tigurc-hcad The figure
head of Good Luck is an angel; white
and gold angel. No, no! that isn't it,"
"But papa will soon come home, won't
he, mammal" whispered the child
Old Nr. rswman, who Is the head of the
establishment here, now comes from be-
hindhis desk, and, approaching tho woman,
says in KINDLY tone:
''Nfrs. Shelter, sit down.; make yourself
as comfortable as you can In dingy office
like this. Here, little one, conc here, give
Inc kiss. A bright, pretty little dear,
Mrs. Shelter"
''She looks pale," said the mother. ''She
Ia tlred she has been walking too much"
The old gentleman sits down and lifts
the little girl on his knee and kisses her.
She winds her arms about his neck and
exclaims:
"You'l! tell my papa to come soon, won't
you9"
"Yes, DEAR"
1t was the habit of this 0rm to pay q
sort of pension monthly to the widows of
captains who were lost In their services. 1t
was not much of stipend, being only
half-ply, but 1t was certainly blessing in
very many cases. Mrs Shelter had always
received her husbands money here, while
he was at sea, or 1t was sent 10 her when
she was sick or the weather was bad.
"Ah. Mr. Tawman, Pm sure the Good
Luck will be in to-day"
Certainly 1t will. What's to hinder lt2'
he answers. N".
He puts tho child down and goes over to
hls desk, and unlocking his drawer he takes
out an account book and bcgns writing a
receipt. Then goes over into the cashiers
room. While he Is there the telegraph
clerk calls him over.
Click, clicllty clickI goes The magic in
struncnt, repeating its dot and dash mes.
sage.
"Hear that2" says tho operator. ''rhat'
news for youi" The proprietor could read
every word by Its sound.
sits like q message from God" sav.
MIR. Tawman, rcvorently. II must not
toll her."
He comes back to where the woman Is
sitting, his face Is flushed with emotion;
some strange excitement. lie throws into
her lap bundle Of bank notes.
There, Mrs. Shelter, now 60 home.
Take car at the door. 10
"Oh, Pm not tired, And should like
TO be here when the brig comes In. But
thank you 30 much, so mucn."
Here, little ono" says the good-hearted