Sword and shield., 1885-10-31
Judge Not.

We lived in Delaware on a large frui
and grain farm along the bay shore
Our dwelling-house was situate,
about hundred yards from the water
edge.
. One summer morning as John, N,
husband, was preparing for the day'i
labor he was accosted by ragged bu
rather bright looking negro boy o
some 16 years, who asked him for {
job. John surveyed the boy for some
moments, and after plying him will
a few questions said he might stay anC
do the chores and odd jobs around the
farm. OF his parents the boy could
say nothing, and when asked his name
replied he had been called Pal BY
his former master, who had recently
died.
So we called him Pal. He was q
good worker, and proved to be cheer
ful and obedient, qualities not often
found among the present generation OF
negro laborers. The summer passed
without anything occurring to disturb
the usual routine of farm labor, and
we all became much attached to our
new servant.
One morning in early autumn my
daughter Edith came running to me,
saying she had lost her gold ring, a
present from her uncle. She said she
had left it few days ago on the bureau
in her bedroom, on looking for it she
discovered that was missing. A search
of the room and house was made, but
the missing article could not be found.
1t was learned that Pal had been seen
in the room. This was bad for the bOy,
and we believed him guilty of the theft.
When accused he denied, saying he had
not seen the ring John was harsh and
strict and discharged the boy. When
he left us | noticed tear in his eye as
he moved toward the gate.
1t was cold November night. Ny
husband being away, my daughter and
] would spend the night alone. The
weather throughout the day had been
threatening, the sky overcast, the wind
blowing almost a gale, and | feared
we would have a storm. My fears were
well grounded, for early in the evon-
ing it began to rain, and l could hear
the roar of the waves as they beat am
grily against the shore. 1t rained as I
never heard itrain before. Ten o'clock!
the rain still coming down in torrents.
lighted the lantern and looked out
the door. Ali was darkness-inky
black. | stood there q moment until
gust of wind almost knocked me down.
| managed, however, with difficulty to
close the door, and assembled the stairs
10 my bedroom. | was afraid to retire,
and SO waited up. An hour passed and
the storm was raging as hard as ever.
| realized that there was danger of
some of the cattle and out-buildings
being destroyed.
Midnight! The storm as terrible rs
ever. | went downstairs and looked
out. The tide is in and tile water has
surrounded the house. We are in per-
sonal danger In a short time the wa
ter has covered the first floor. Upstairs
l climbed, my clothes wet and ciinging
to me like a bather's suit. 1t WAS
horrible night; our house filled with
water, while could hear the wind and
rain lashing amid the surrounding trees
as if possessed with a thousand de-
mons. l tried to sleep, but the roar
of the maddcned elements, informing
led with the belloWings and dislressful
cries of the animals in the barn, made
my heart within me chill.
Edith, | said, 81 am going out in
to the yard and see how the cattle are
getting on" seized the lantern and
darted downstairs. only to find the
water some three feet deep on the floor.
l knew then the imposs b lily of do
ing any thing for tlae- animals. and so
returned.
The hand of the clock on the mantel
pointed to l. The water was up even
with the second-story of our house and
the storm showed no signs of termi-
mating. The minutes dragged slowly
on. | thought of my husband and
friends. Horrible thought to be
drowned, and in my own house.
1t was 2 o'clock, when, on going to
the window to look out, heard noise
as if boat was approaching. | was
not deceived, for such it was. As it
came nearer, voice called out and
asked if were yet alive. l replied l
was and called for the occupant TO take
me off.
The boat aprroached. ], with the
aid of my lantern. recognized the man
in it as Pal, the negro boy. He called
out and told us not to lose any time,
but to enter the boat, and we would be
saved. My daughter entered and |
followed. Then the brave youth seized
the oars, and, with long, powerful
strokes, rowed away. He uttered not
a word, and was too full of thinking
for our safety to speak.
We rowed on for fifteen minutes
when the boat struck something and
stopped. Pal, telling us to remain per-
fectly still, moved forward to the bow,
when suddenly the craft gave lurch
and | saw the brave youth 60 headlong
overheard into the dark, murky waters.
l heard no cry from him. 1t was few
minutes before | could recover myself
and then | cried out: '.Pal! Palp' but
no one answered. The boat was toss
inc about from side to side, and
thought every moment we would be
tossed into eternity. The oars had
fallen overheard, and | knew We were
helpless. We, however, cold and ex-
hausted, huddled together in the bot
tom of the craft, which was now drift
inc we knew not whittier. 1t was ago.
ny. l cannot tell how we suffered for
the remainder OF that night, but the
longest must have an end, and when
the first welcome streak of day ap-
peared found we were only i few
yards from shore. managed to get
the boat on shore in short time, and
we were soon in a neighbor's house
about two miles from our own home.
1t was not long before my husband
was with me, and as ! told him of what
hardship we had passed through. and
how Pal rescued us from a watery