Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-19


he should return to claim her as his bride,
that she could not but smile at the prospect,
, and ceased to sorrow over the long months of
parting which must intervene.
All too quickly glided away those lovely
summer days. The dear old garden, and
sometimes the shining beach, where the little
waves played and babbled, witnessed many
long happy, talk between the pair, whose mu-
tual intercourse, always delightful, had never
been half so sweet as now. Here, where they
had made houses in the sand in days gone by,
they now erected many structure of fancy,
grander and more beautiful by far, gay with
the coloring Of Hope and Illuminated by the
light of Love. Their life was an idyl, smooth
as poem, harmonious as a silvery strain or
music. Pity that the harsher realities OF exis-
tence should ever disturb so fair dream
Not all tranquil, however, were the days in
which they watched the white sails come and
20 upon the bay. Towards the end of July
stormy winds arose the waves, no longer
blue and peaceful, surged and foamed roughly
against the shore, and sky and water alike
wore leaden hue, threatening continuance
of the unfavorable spell. Sophy trembled at
the thought of Harry's embarking in such
weather; for they were now almost daily ex-
pecting tidings of the vessel in which he was
to sail.
One night, when for some hours the inhabi-
tants of the little port and it's vicinity had
been wrapped in sleep, signal gun doomed
upon the air. It was a signal of Distress
Again and again came the dull, distant report,
effectually rousing the sleepers, and soon crea-
ting a universal stir. Harry was among the
first to dress and hasten to the beach, and
soon group of hardy fishermen and others
were on the spot, ready and eager to go to the
assistance of the distressed vessel, of whatever
sort she might be.
At first, those whose experience had taught
them how to act in such cases declared it use
less to make any attempt, for the distance was
still too great, and the sea too rough for a
small boat to venture out. But gradually
the vessel came nearer, slowly struggling
against wind and tide, while at regular inter-
walls the appealing gun sent forth its prayer
for help.
"Uncle, l can stand this no longer" at
length cried Harry, who had been walking to
and fro in state of great excitement and
agitation s'it is absolutely sinful for US to
stand here doing nothing while that ship is
perhaps sinking. I am sure we can get to her
now if we try"
The Captain shook his head. "I don't know,
nv boy. 1t would be running considerable
risk. Unluckily our best boats are away !;
there's not one here that is fit to battle with
rough sea-"
ssAnd it blows gale," remarked an old
weather beaten sailor who stood near. mot
that I'm afeared but I wouldn't be the man
to ak a crew to 60 out with me in one of these
here nutshells, such night as this. It's like
" we'd 20 to the bottom afore we was more
than half way"
"ru not afraid, Mr.. Hardy" cried Harry,
eagerly "IIl 60 with you, if you can get a
couple more men. For Gods sake don't let
us see those unfortunate people perish with
out at least trying to help them."
"You oh, guess you'd better not try,
Harry" answered Hardy, who knew the young
man well. Indeed, there was not one present
with whom he was not on familiar terms.
"Remember your sweetheart"
my sweetheart wouldn't have me act like
a coward" rejoined Harry, "and I should be
ashamed to have her think me one."
eff it comes to that" put in another man,
stepping forward, "yOu won't find any one
here, master Harry, who likes the name of
coward, any better than yourself. Pm no
coward, and I'm ready to 60, storm or no
storm-there amt no sweetheart to cry for me,
if I do 60 to the bottom"
ssI'l 20 too,"-"And I,"-''Me too,"-
"I'm ready" sounded now Oh all sides, as the
men crowded around Old Hardy commenced
to pick out a crew.
slim Folkes you've got sick wife, and
nobody to look after 'cept yourself. You stay
where you are. Andy Walker, you're my
man-you'll take first oar. Joe Granger,
you'll do. Sam Johnson, you'll do likewise.
Jerry, my boy, your hand amt wellye of that
sprain !; I'm sorry to refuse you, but you'd be
no use at ALL"
ssMy hand is first-rate, sir :; can pull an
oar never fear," said sturdy, sunburnt
young fellow, who had been among the first to
come forward.
"Never mind, you stay on shore and be ready
to help afterwards Pm bossing this job, you
know. I'll steer-what, Harry, you amt
a-going to 60 -
'sIndeed, and I am" replied Harry, who
could not restrain his impatience at the delay,
"and the quicker we're off, the better"
''Gently, gently" said the old sailor, who
was purposely deferring the moment of setting
out, for prudential reasons. "We'll be in
time, I guess. Captain Russell, have I your
permission to take him along 20
'Uncle-'' hastily began Harry, fearing
more opposition but his uncle stopped him.
'sMy boy, shan't hinder you. You're 60
ing to start upon sailors life soon and
you've got to face danger sooner or later. Co.,
and God bless you and prosper your efforts, all
of you ~
Harry gratefully wrung the old gentleman's
hand. Then turning away, sprang into the trall
craft, which was being manned for the enter
prise. Old Hardy took the helm; quantity
of rope was flung into the bottom, the men
seized the oars, and in another moment they
were off, and soon the darkness swallowed
them frem view
The anxious watchers on the beach, after
straining their eyes to catch the last glimpse
of the little boat with its gallant freight, gath
cred in groups to discuss the situation. Some
paced the beach restlessly, while others tended
the beacon fire which had been kindled, and
which now flung up long tongues of fame,
shedding a lurid glare upon the scene. Pres
emily DR.. May appeared. His firstinquiry was
after Harry.
ttIIo,o oono in tha hoat - was Cantain Rms.