Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-01-29

out into the small can, and got the rest
safely up the first flight Of stairs, Stub
rather sleepily. The light
tower was built high above the dwelling |
part Of the house, and was reached by
several steep flights Of stairs and finally
by a ladder to a trap-door. The roof and
walls from about four feet from the floor }
we've glass aud the layNN aad reflector \
stood on o kind Of standard abont Eve
feet high. All the beautiful brass
plates were Kept as brilliant as 8 mirror,
and the wlNNows were transparent and
sDec11ess asp11e inter 1T w,as John !
Hudsons duty to keep them in this con-
NlfAOn. NnspeStors were Always NrUvIlnsN
N at unexpected times, and Dismissal
fom tito post wouM hare &llowed aay
lack Of proper attention to these details.
But II was the lighthouse keepers pride
to keep them bright md Furnished even
beyond any laws and regulations.
Jack reached the foot Of the ladder,
and was slowly mounting when his foot
slipped and he fell. Stnb looked at him
helplessly, and waited ior him TO pick
himself up, Jack had hold of his lantern,
and fortunately it had not got extin-
guished /; the oil can fell at . little dis
lance.
''Vhats the matter now' What ais
my foot!" said he, making several inef-
fectual attempts to stand. "My! how
it hurtsm and then he held it in bis hand
while he bravely kept the tears back. II
guess Tve sprained it, or something.
What shall l dol ! could manage to
slide down stairs again and wait there
till fathee comes. But then the light
that ought to be attended to. Oh why
amt father back'' and he WINGED with
pain as a sudden twinge came from his
ankle.
ooh, dear, it's tough work." said he,
as with the oil can slung across one arm
he tried to climb the ladder with one
foot and one knee.
~ guess I'd better giveit up-pshaw !
what's fellow good for, anyway, if he
can't put himself out of the way for other
folks once in while. How the tower
shakes What a night it is"
The assent was made at last and the
light reached. "Just in tine," said
Jack; "the oils all but finished" guess
l didn't put as much in as father did,"
and he hoped around the narrow space
and trimmed the lamp. 1t took him
some time, and the boys fingers were
getting stiff with cold, while his ankle
kept bringing look of pain across his
face.
81 shall freeze before ! get it done,"
groaned Jack, putting his finger ends
into his mouth to warm them. my foot!
my foot" he shrieked, as forgetting it
for an instant, he had stepped on it.
Stub, in the room below, gave howl of
sympathy, and dashed frantically at the
foot of the ladder to reach his comrade.
~ can't stand it any longer! Oh, faith
er, fatherw and Jack fell unconsciously
on the floor,
All was silent once again in the house;
no voice save the old clock tick-ticking
the seconds away-the last minutes OF
the old year.
Loud blew the wind in the face of the
foot-sore man, bruised by an outstretch-
ed branch, unseen-in the darkness, and
striving, with unsteady steps to reach his
home. Out at sea, a noble vessel was
battling with the storm, and happy
hearts, unconscious ofdanger, were think
ing of the glad meetings Of tomorrow
thinking of the dear faces that should
welcome their return in the bright new
year. Anxious hearts were beating in
secret as the pilot and the captain paced
the deck uneasily, and peered through
the storm, and
"Questionins of the darkness, which was sec
and which was land"
"Fishing Point light ought to show tc
the nor'ard," said the captain.
ave been looking for it," returned
the pilot" "but the snow is so binding
Fve not been able to see it yet There
it isw he exclaimed, after some min
utes more of weary watching, and the
SHOW cloud seemed parted by a warn
CLEAN of light. And miles away, in 6
storm-rocked tower, lay PROSTATE form
cold and motionless, while the joy bell!
of the glad new year were ringing il
the hopes and triumphs of Thousand
hearts.