The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-23
Selett 9tOrp.
THE PILOTS STORY.


Mollie and /, our parents being near
neighbors, and-which docs not always
follow-frm friends as well. They were
poor. aud l suspect that fact had much to
do with their friendship, for opportunities
we're algays turning up for helping one
another. aud / have often noticed that,
when near ncighbors are well of aud have
no need for mutual help, there is seldom
any friendship between Ihem-there Is
more apt to be jealously and competition.
Our parents being such good friends, il
naturally resulted that Mollie and | fol
lowed their example. We went to school
together, read together, played together ;
aud somehow, when Moliie was eighteen
aud twenty, We agreed to travel togeth-
er all our lives, and we're happy in that
arrangement; in fact, GO other would
have seemed right or natural. either to us
or our parents.
From the earliest days Of my boyhood,
l had eyinced fondness for the water,
haunting the palalial steamboats, that
doated On the great Mississippi river, on
whose banks nestled the city in which we
dwelt, and, at the period to which am
about to refer, had just secured posi-
tion as pilot on a small freight steaner.
Il was not much Of position, 70 be
sure. nor was there much Of a salary at
tached to il, but, small as il was, Mollie
and decided that We could make il an
swer for two people, neither Of them ex-
travagant and unreasonable; besides which,
| bad hopes Of better times 10 come, as |
had received words Of commentator from
my employers aud promises Of speedy pro
motion.
So, carly one bright morning, having
obtained days leave Of absence, Mollie
and I were married, and stepping into a
carriage | had hired gor the occasion, We
started OF, having decided on days ex-
cursion to a celebrated cave near by, this
being all the wedding trip Ne could al
I low ourselves; not that We cared in the
least, however-we were too happy to be
disturbed BY any shortcomings Of time or
purse.
We had scarcely driven beyond our own
street, however, when We were brought to
halt
/ Here Is a note to you from the superin.
teudent
Thus it ran
"Am sorry to have to recall your leave
to-day, but you must Immediately 60 on
board the Mobilia which Is ready to start
up the river. The pilot is too i'll to attend
to duty, and you are appointed to take his
place for the present.
There goes our wedding trip all TO
smash, said /, as Mollie read the order.
'sWhy so p she asked.
"You see, | must 20 to the pilot-house
of the Mobilia.
every well, she replied, NC VII VII jus;
60 up Ihe river instead Of to the cave.
Drive on, Rob let US 20 down to the
wharf in state
4 but you cant 90 into the pilot house
with me, little goose,
"0f course not, but can sit on the deck
outside, laughed Molie, and we can cast
4 languishing glanees at each other.
And so it came about that / took pos
session of the Mobilia's pilot-house, my
heart glowing with love and pride-with
love, for there, Just below me, on the little
i forward deck, sat my sweet bride with
pride, because the Mobilia was one of the
finest Of the FLOATING palaces" Of the Mis-
sissippi, and to pilot saeh one had foI
years been the height of nay ambition.
The steamer was fitted up with double
cabin, one above the other, the upper one
opening upon a small deck, reaching out
toward the bow, near the centre of which,
on a raised platform, was placed the pilot
house.
This deck was always occupied by pas
sengers, and this morning it was particu-
larly crowded, for the boat was heavily
laden with people taking advantage of the
| beautiful weather to make an excursion up
the river.
Some rough fellows jostled rudely
against Mollie's chair, after awhile, and a;
she rose and passed down into the lower
cabin TO get drink Of water, she whis
pered to me as she passed, but l suspect
/ it was really to prevent the bursting of the
thunder she saw gathering on my
brow.
saw that the insolent fellows made no
attempt to follow my dear one, so | gave
myself up to my own happy thoughts, and
looking out on the far-distant, peaceful
shores of the great river, over whose pla
cid bosom we were moving so swiftly, there
rose from my heart glad, silent hymn Of
rejoicing.
But suddenly cry broke forth from
the cabin behind me, that efeetually chan
ged the current of my thoughts
Fire fire fire
A horrible cry at all times, but mos
horrible of all when it rings forth in the
midst of gay, unsuspicious hundreds, float
ing in fancied security in the midst of The
waters.
An instant's awe-struck silence succeed
ed that awful cry, and then three hun
dred voices of men, women aud children
united in fearful, heartrending shrieks fol
! help.