Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-09

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'em. Sure, found it sleepin' as snug
as in its cradle, and never a bit has it
walked, for all the movin' OF it from the
bottom of the boat where it lay, the
prettiest picture these old ewes has ever
SEEM" and drawing nearer, he showed
them the sleeping face of Allie Grant
Curiously they crowded around the old
tar and the child, asking all sorts of
useless questions and eagerly scanning
the little one.
"Thank God!" said the Captain, as
he thought OF his own little ones sleep
ing at home, ssthat stopped the ship,
and saved this child from so cruel a
death as might have been his.''
Allie began now to show signs of
waking, as one and another laid tender
hands upon the golden curls and baby
fingers, with feelings almost of rever-
ence. He was such beautiful little
thing; ali, how some mothers heart
must be aching this night! Soon he
sat up, and opening his big brown
eyes, looked wonderingly around the
ship. Seeing the Captain, whom he at
first thought his father, he stretched out
his arms, saying: s'Baby fin papa,
dear papa!" But as Captain Garter
took him, he drew back surprised and
frightened, his lips trembled, and bury
ing his head in the old sailors arms, he
cried: "Baby want mamma, Wosy
sing Baby Mine.'''
| But they quoted him at last, and gave
him some supper. Little by little they
drew from him, in his queer baby talk,
the story OF his hazardous adventure
1t deeply interested all, but it was in
| vain they asked him his name, in order
to find some clew to whom he belonged.
And all he would say was: ''Baby
mine doin' to meet dear papa tomin'
home in his big Sip
From this Captain Carter concluded
that his father was a seafaring man, and
as the ship could not be put back, it was
evident that baby must 90 with them.
OF course, nothing could be done until
reaching the West Indies, where he
| thought he might possibly find news
from those in the same service as HIM
self of the owner of the pretty little
waif. One thing annoyed him greatly;
in the excitement of finding the child
the men forgot to secure the boat, and,
as we have already seen, it drifted to-
ward the Black Rocks, there to be
dashed to pieces, and to mislead Mike
into the belief that baby lay far below
in the death-grasp of the mad breakers.
On reaching the West Indies, all in
quiries possible were made in regard to
Allies parents. Nothing, however, was
heard, and when the time came for the
homeward voyage, Allie was again a
passenger on the ship.
At the Cottage, where Allies loss was
each day felt more deeply, time passed
slowly and drearily. After Mikes re-
| turn, all hope was abandoned. To them
the broken boat told its tale of death too
plainly to leave room for anything but
despair. Mr.. Grant did not receive the
news of their sad loss until two months
after, while in one of the ports for which
his ship was bound. 1t seemed to him
as if the hours were years ere he could
start for home Four months had
passed from the time of baby's disap-
pearance, when he stood once more in
his own desolate home, with the weight
of that great sorrow on his heart. Not
the less heavy was it when he saw what
change it had made in his dear ones.
In Rose especially, whose pitiful face
and chin figure showed that her suffer-
ings would, perhaps, not be very long,
and that there might be, if something
could not be done, another mound in the
churchyard to mark childless home.
Six months had now passed, and the
happy Christmas-time drew near bring
ing no Joy into their home. Restless,
and longing for some certain news, in
regard to the fate of his child, Mr.. Grant
daily visited the docks as one and an
other of the ships returned. What a
weary, fruitless search it vast Week
after week pa ssed, only with the GER
tainty increased that baby Allie was no
more.
1t was day or two before Christmas,
and bitterly cold, when Mr.. Grant
started for the last time on his vain err
rand, for he was himself to sail in a
short time. The ships that had come in
during the night lay at anchor with
masts and rigging shrouded in ice, but
no one could give him any news. 1t was
late in the afternoon, and he was turn
ing away with such a feeling of desola-
ton in his heart as showed him how
vainly he had hoped, to the very last, to
find his boy. AS he passed up the long
dock he felt hand laid on his shoulder,
and friendly voice said, "Well, Grant.
what's the matter? You look as if you
were in trouble.'
81 am in trouble, great trouble.
have lost my Youngest child.'
"Indeed, am very sorry for you,n
said Captain Carter, in his hearty, SYM
pathizing voice, for it was our old friend.
''But come to my ship awhile, and let
me try and cheer you. [ met with such a
strange adventure on my outward-bound
trip. know it will interest you, and
perhaps you can help me with some
business that somewhat perplexes me-"
They walked back to the ship, and
were soon seated in the Captains par
lor, where he began telling his story.
AS he continued, he glanced up sud
denly at Mr.. Grants face. 1t was very
pale, and excited to the utmost.
Why, Grant," he began, when like
flash the truth dawned upon him.
s'Good God. is it possible, is he the child
you lost? | never could get his name
from him, he always answered Baby
Nine Here, drink this,'' he con-
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