The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-04-21
know, AM Charlss's keeper?''

window and, going to the msntei
lighted lantern and placed it on til,
window ledge ' ''''
~ here, he said, sis 4 beacon r.,
the benighted traveller, if sry Should
Oe SO Iooiish as to venture out, in thii
storm. And now let us have tea.n
ne two sat down to the table. and
after reverent prayer of thank soiv,
ing to the Almighty for the food which
they were about to enjoy, the fathe,
and daughter continued their convex
sati0n.
Outside the storm increased. Tn.
wind whistled shrilly through tn,
crevices Of the old farmhouse. snd
shook the windows now and then with
violence which threatened their fu.
ture use. But this was nothing new
In these parts ct this season Of thu
year, for the village was near the sea
and wheA the winds blew inland they
~ere keenly felt everywhere.
And yet, despite the FREQ uency with
woicn Tn Sc storms visited this portion
OF the country. this particular storsz
caused old Mr.: Boyd. the father of this
.fais-haired girl, to shudder.
At every shrek of the wind he
would shiver like IN aspen. This Bes-
sic did not fail to notice. though at
first she said nothing. At length.
however. she put down her knife, and
rose
"Father," she said, "You - cold.
You are all in . shiver. Come nearer
No, child" replied the former. 81
am perfectly comfortable, ,1but fear
there are others who may not be so
we'll housed. Your remarks really
worry me, and fear it may be % you
say, that Nellie is i'll, and not only i'll.
but in wantsof shelter from the rude
blasts that sweep mother earth to-
night"
"In went Of shelter, f.thsrl" ex-
claimed Bessie.
"Yes, in want of shelter. Yester-
day they were threatened by the land
IS5d; S"a :;.|s,.I;, | apISw' To-day they may be
- .1h. .o father! s,, Why did you not go
because, my darling, Mrs. Rem
ington would have shut the door in
my face. She is . woman who will
allow no one to interfere with her do
nestle affairs. She is, may say, one
who will not have nything to do with
her neighbors.''
But, 1Aeher"
What Bessie Boyd was about to say
WAS interrupted BY the distant boom
Of CO. non.
She stopped abruptly, and : sudden
pallor otersprsad her features. She
:aught the sleeve of the old man be-
side her.
), "F.ther!" >, she cried, "ds you hear
YES" answered Mr.. Boyd, with
:heeks almost IS white As her own
Yes: Hark! t'ere it il again-the
minute gun At scalp
Again and yet sgain it sounded
hat distant, ,reverberating hoom-each
time sending shock to the listeners
:ry of distress-too we'll known to the
mariner, who trusts himself to the
treacherous waters.
"Do You think there is any real
LANCER, father, dear?" ask ed Bessie,
after . moments pause.
The light is in the window and the
lighthouse out At the break water is
shining brightly; l can see it from the
window"
1.-The wind Is strong, Bessie, very
strong," said the old gen tleman, "and
the ship that is we'll anchored is still
precariously situated. I fear-I fear
some unlucky mariner has been driven
upon the rocks. God help the sailor
Once more the signal of distress
doomed out, borne sloft by the raging
winds.
Bessie Boyd stood by the window
peering out into the gloom, seeking to
penetrate beyond its Plutonion dark
ness. She stood there but q moment.
and then hastily left its recesses and
ran to the little closet at the other
side Of the room.
what are you going to dol'' ex-
her father.
"Do!" cried Bessie. II am going to
save human life, if can"
She drew from the closet q thick
wooden hood and an oiled skin cloak.
and adjusted them upon her head and
shoulders. Then she flung off her
dainty slippers and thrust her feet into
= pair Of rubber boots. Old farmer
Boyd expOstulated with her at every
move.
"You are mad, Dessie-you are
mad" he cried, ''What can q frail
: s1i! sh;a,,, ike you do in such = storm as
~ can do my SHARE" replied tho
girl, 'and | must not hold back when
human life is at stake.''
She was soon bundled up warm, and,
lighting . lantern, she went toward
The door.
Mr.. Boyd had placed himself before
il.
'.You shall not 60, Bessie!" he ex-
:laimed-'''you shall not 60! You can
10 no good. 1t needs . strong man,
.ble to battle the waves and wind.
I ou would 60 down at the start. 1t
s useless for you to throw yourself
way. 1t is . sin. Oh, my darling
laughter, don't leave me alone-don't
cave me alone."
II must father, I must. Precious