The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-02-12

knew how to work. He watched his
father daily, and had sometimes been
allowed TO help him: so, i'll Il very short
time, friendly glow Of light poured
through the windows of the little tow
er, and laid bare the deep, treacherous
rocks with blunt diSlinctnesS, while
they stroye vainly to hide beneath the
stormy waves.
Il suppose we might as well get sup
per ready now, against father comes"
and Jack laid the cloth neatly and cut
the bread with will. Like a few rare
and Isolated boys of his age, being
hungry was Jacks normal condition,
relieved AT occasional intervals by be-
ing satisfied. Supper was waiting
fathers tea was boiling and bubbling
on the stove (Jack' limited knowledge
of cooking had hot taught him that tea
should never be allowed to boiD, Jacks
basin OF broken bread in readiness for
the scalding milk. some dried beef as
special treat, and plenty of good bread.
cheese, and butter besides. Inside, all
was warm and coZy, CHEEKY and home
like; outside, stormy and clustering.
Seven o clock. and father not home
yet! Well, the light will burn an hour
yet without fixing. Father says it
would burn longer than that. but it's
safest to look at it every four hours,
and he's sure to be here before it wants
looking to-" So Jack got his favorite
book from the shelf, and settled down
for cozy read in his fathers armchair
near the stove. 1t certainly was very
exciting-where CrusOe and Friday dis
covered the arrival of the one-and-
twenty savages, and disturbed them at
their revolving repast. But Jack got
up SO early mornings, and was so active
all the day, that no wonder his ideas
began to stray and his ewes to blink
4 close. Stub had settled himself
near for little quiet meditation-nose
between two black, outstretched fore
paws, and gaze fixed on nothing in
particular; while, Jane, having first
made her toilet for the night by care
tul washing and patting, dozed peace
FULLY behind the stove. Tired Jack
slept, and dreamed he was Crusoe, and
had just built a beautiful sled, and he
and Friday coasted down among the
cannibals and sent them tlying on all
sides; and the old clock ticked, ticked.
While outdoors the snow blew in
whirls, and weary man fought hard
against the wind and sought to find
again the beaten path to his home.
Hour after hour passed, till the faithful
hammer striking 10, woke Jack in be-
wilderment at not finding himself i'll his
own little bed.
Whats the matter?" he said, shak-
ing himself and standing. ''Why, how
late it is! What can have happened to
father?"
Stub reused up, but could not answer
the question. so wisely kept silence
people don't always, you know.
The light! the light! Oh. suppose
it's gone out! l must 60 up-this very
minute to see, though it's awfully dark,
and the stoves gone out, too: but |
can't stop to make it up now. Come,
Stub, you can go with me if you want
to, said diplomatic Jack, who really
didn't like 10 go through all those dark
passages and stairways alone, but who
wouldn't have Stub know it for the
world
Jack reached the foot of the ladder,
and was slowly mounting, when his
f.sos- slipped and he fell Stub looked
ut him helplessly, and waited for him
to pick himself up. Jack had kept
hold of his lantern. and fortunately it
had not got extinguished the oil can
fell at little distance
What's the matternow? What ails
my foOt?" said he, making several in
effectual attempts to stand. 'Mv, how
it hurtsi" and he held it in his hand
while he bravely kept the tears back.
Il guess I've sprained it. or something.
What shall do? l could manage to
slide down stairs again and wait thers
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 to his
ankle.
'Oh, dear, its 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.
IL guess | better give it up-pshaw!
What's fellow good for anyway, if he
can't put himself out of the way for
other folks once in a while. How the
tower shakes! What a night it is!'
The ascent was made at last and the
light reached. Just in time" said
Jack; 1.-THE oils all but finished l
guess didn't put as much in as father
did" and he hoped around the mar
row space and trimmed the lamp. 1t
took him some time, and the boys fin
gers were getting stiff with cold, while
his ankle kept bringing look OF pain
across his face.
Il shall freeze before get it DONE"
groaned Jack, putting his finger ends
into his mouth to- warm them. My
footi my footr' he shrieked, as forget
ting it for an instant, he had stepped
on it. Stub in the room below, gave
howl of sympathy, and dashed fran
tically at the foot of the ladder to reach
his comrade.
Il can't stand it any longer! Oh,
father, father and Jack fell uncon-
scious on the floor.
All was silent once again in the
house; no voice save the old clock tick
ing the seconds awav-the last min
utes of the Old year.
Loud blew the wind in the face of a
footsore man, bruised by IN Outstretch-
ed branch, unseen in the dark ness, 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
morrow linking 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 uneasilN, and
peered through the storm, and
Questioned of the darkness, which was sea
aud which was land.
Fishing Point light ought to show
to the nor ard said the captain.
''l've 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: ne exclaimed, after some min
utes more of weary watching, and the
snow cloud seemed parted by Il warm
gleam 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 a
thousand hearts.
Bravely the good ship Dauntless sail
ed into port on that morning, with col
! ors lying and friendly cheers from the
( shore
"A pretty narrow escape we had last
night-so the pilot tells me-" said 4
passenger to his friend. after hearty
! - i.h