San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-01-05

Stub, you can go with me if you want
to-" said diplomatic Jack, who really
didn't like to go through all those dark
passages and stairways alone, but who
wouldn't have had Stub know it for
the world.
The house had got oil cold, and Jack
was hunting long about with shivering
fingers before he could find the proper
oil for the light. At last, however, he
found it, spilled n lot of it in pouring
it out into the small can, and got
the rest safely up the first flights of
stairs, Stub following 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 ladder to trap
door. The roof and walls from about
four feet from the floor were glass, and
the light, lamp and reflector stood on
kind of stand, and about five feet high.
All the beautiful brass plates were kept
as brilliant as mirror, and the windows
were transparent and speckless as pure
water. 1t was John Hudson's duty to
keep them in this condition. Inspec-
tors, were always dropping in at unex-
pected times, and dismissal from the
post would have followed any lack of
proper attention to these details. But
It was the lighthousc-keeper's pride to
keep them bright and 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. Stub looked
at him helplessly, and waited for him
to pick himself up. Jack had kept
hold of his lantern, and fortunately it
had not got extingu'shed; the oil can
fell at little distance.
whats the matter now? What ails
my foot?" said he, making several inef-
fectual attempts to stand, MY how it
hurts!" and he held it in his hand
while he bravely kept the tears back.
az guess I've sprained it, or something.
What shall l do? could manage to
slide down stairs again and wait there
till father 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.
81 guess I'd better give it-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 night it isl"
The ascent was made at last, and the
light reached "Just in time" said
Jack; "the oils all but finished. 1
guess 7 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 be-
low, gave howl of sympathy, and
dashed frantically at the foot OF the
ladder to reach his camrade.
IL can't stand it any longer Oh,
father! father!" and Jack fell Hncon-
scious 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 Il
footsore man, bruised by an oatstretch-
ed branch, unseen-in the darkness,
and striving, with unsteady steps, to
} reach his home. Out at sea, noble
vessel was battling with the storm, and
happy hearts, unconscious of danger,
were thinking of the glad meetings 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
questioned of the darkness, which was sea,
and which was land"
Fishing Point light ought to show
to the nor'ard," said the captain.
"Pve been looking for it," returned
the pilot, "but the snow is SO binding
I've not been able to see it yet. There
it isl" he exclaimed, after some minutes
more of weary watching, and the snow
cloud seemed parted by warm CLEAN
of light. And miles away, in storm
rocked tower, lay PROSTATE form, cold
and motionless, while the Joy bells of
the glad new year were ringing in the
hopes and triumphs of thousand
hearts.
Bravely the good ship Dauntless
sailed into port on that morning, with
colors flying and friendly cheers from
the shore.