Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-01-27
When The Ship Comes In.

A sweet faced woman and sweet-taced
child are wandering among the shipping
docks of the great city. The woman Is
plainly dressed, but evidently In her best
attire, and there is touch of gentIlity in
her tinery, In the real lace collar, relics of
better DAYS, perhaps, the pearl earrings
and the neat gloves The child Is neatly
dressed, too, and as she clasps the w0man's
hand, looks love at her guardian. But The
| woman's face Is not at its best now, care
worn look, and faint wrinkle uoon the
pale forehead that ages her and lessons the
charm of her features.
She is inquiring OF the dockmen, of the
stevedores, of the loungers about the
wharves, whether the brig Good Luck has
come ia. She always receives tho same
reply TO her eager question, for the brig
Good Luck has been lost a month ago,
dashed on lee shore, and ground to pieces
by the sea, and will never come in-never
never more.
Ii they told her, she wouldn't believe
them, tor the woman and her child have
supreme faith that the brig Good Luck
will come in soon with cargo and crew,
though they have been asking the same
question and same prayer for many and
many day.
Then she goes across the street and
winds her way among tine bales and boxes
and passing carts, and through all the hub
bub and hustle of the wharf, and climbs
flight of stairs TO where the briggs owners
have their office They are used TO seeing
her. They smile sadly when she enters
with the child, and look Significantly at one
another, as much as 20 say: "Poor thing!
she's mad. No wonder. no wonder !"
Mad! 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 so longi
''Is the Good Luck in YETI" she asks Of
clerk.
Not yet, ma'am.'
''She is expected, of course to-dayf"
'AOf course"
There's vessel coming in now. see
the tall masts. Look Look !" pointing
out of the office window to the river front.
'tMaybe that's 1T Ellie, dear, look there's
fathers vessel, with father on boardl"
The child clasps her little hands at the
sight.
"Sorry to say that amt it, ma'am,
says the clerk, relapsing into his calcula-
tions and paying no more attention to the
woman.
She stares out of the open window at
the approaching vessel drawn by tug,
and then with a blank look upon her face,
and moan that is heartrendiRg, says:
''No, Ellie, mol That is not the Good
Luck. l see the igure-head. The figure
| head of Good Luck is an angel; a white
and gold angel. No, no! that isn't it."
E'But papa will soon come home, won't
he, mammal" whispered the child.
Old Mr.. Tswman, who is the head of the
establishment here, now comes from be-
hindu desk, and, approaching the woman,
says in kindly tone:
Mrs. Shelter, sit down; make yourself
as comfortable as you can in dingy office
like this. Here, little one, come here, give
me kiss. A bright, pretty little dear,
Mrs. Shelter"
''She looks pale" said the mother. "She
is tired; 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'll tell my papa to come soon, won't
youl"
''Yes, DEAR"
1t was the habit of this firm to pay q
sort of pension monthly TO the widows OF
captains who were lost in their service. II
was not much of q stipend, being only
half-p1y, but 1t was certainly blessing IL
very many cases. Mrs Shelter had always
received her husbands money here, while
he was at sea, or it was sent 10 her wher
she was sick or the weather was bad.
"Ah. Mr.. Tawman, Pm sure the Coco
Luck will be in to-day"
Certainly it will. What's to hinder It?'
he answers.
He puts the child down and goes over to
his desk, and unlocking his drawer he take
out an account book and begins writing
receipt. Then goes over into the cashier
room. While he is there the telegraph
clerk calls him over.
Click, click1ty click! goes the magic in
strumenL, repeating its dot and dash mes
sage.
"Hear that2" says the operator. THAT
news for youl" The proprietor could read
every word by its sound.
''It's like a message from God," say
MIR. Tawman, reverently. IL must no
tell her."
He comes back to where the woman
sitting, his face Is flushed with emotion
some strange excitement. He throws int
: her lap bundle of bank notes
There, Mrs. Shelter, now go home
Take car at the door.
''Oh, Pm not tired, And should lik
to be here when the brig comes in But
thank you 90 much, so much."
''Here, little one" says the good -hearte'
Tawman, ''here's something for you to bu,
. nandiaa NTH - He rIlta into hor tinu oL,t