The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-19
A SHOCKING CALAMITY.
THREE SISTERS DROWNED WHILE
BATHING IN A BAY.

Their Terrible Bereavement.
Hand in hand they tripped merrlly
along together to their dcath-Nellic.
aged twelve; Lizzie, aged ten, and Sadie.
AGED eight. As their little feet danced
over the sand. the wind carried their
shouts Of laughter back to the home
which they had just quilted, and brought
a smile Of affection to the face of their
mother. Then the sea swept the three
children away. The light OF the house
hold was out and it would be long be-
fore that mother smiled again.
They were the three children OF
Henry Wynan, fisherman, living at
Far Rockaway, not far from Breezy
Point. which is about midway between
the village and Rockaway Beach. On
one side was the ocean, on the other
Jamaica Bay. Their home was plain
but comfortable cottage. They were
: interesting children. of sweet disposl-
ton. and were not only favorites with
their playmatcs and with the ncighbors
generally, but were frequently petted by
strangers and visitors who happened to
come across them playing on the beach.
They were the delight Of their parents.
Accustomed by his vocation to the
water it was natural that hc should re-
gard lightly the danger to the children
of bathing alone, and the little girls
themselves had no fear.
Yesterday morning they went to
thelr mother and asked permission to
90 bathing. Tie little ones had been
accustomed i'll the season to do so at a
point in jamaica Bay, which had been
selected for the reason that the water
was smoother there. II was supposed
to be perfectly safe to leave them i'll The
water alone. Mrs. Wyman consequently
gave the desired permission without any
hesitation, and the three little girls ran
joyfully up stairs. \ few moments
latter their little feet came patting down
the staircase. and Mrs. Wyman saw her
three daughters, looking in their bath
inc suits like three little chcrubs ready
for bed. To each she gave 4 farewell
kiss. She little knew that it was the
las. time her lips were to press their
soft cheeks in life.
''Now, take good care Of Sadie" was
Mrs. Wyman's parting injunction: as
with an aflcct;onatc hand she adjusted
The bathing suit Of her youngest child.
Yes. mamma. we will" lisrcd
Nellie and Lizzie. Sadie broke away
from her mother. She had pet hen.
which she had caught sight of in the
yard. and she wanted to run after 1t.
Her. sisters caught her.
Take Nelle's hand and give me
YOURS" said the eldest sister, who felt.
: tho, confidence reposed@iin her by the
mother, and who wanted to take good
care Of both tic sisters. Thus they left
their home forever, Sadie between
Nellie and Lizzie. Mrs. Wyman
watched them fondlr as they wadcd
through the sand until they disappear
cd behind dune. Then she went back
to her work without prelaonitlon OF
the calamity about to fall Oh the home.
y man some distance away saw them
pause at the waters edge, let the dying
wave wet their feet and then run back
on the dry land with merry shouts. The
man turned his looks elsewhere and
ceased to think Of chem.
No eye witnessed their death. 1t is
believed that they died hand III hand.
Probably one of them wadel out OF her
depth or stumbled an, the others were
overwhelmed by 4 wave IN trying to
save her, too loyal and devoted III their
little hearts to loose their lold on the
hand they graspcd. even if it meant
death.
Only their cry for help was heard. 1t
reached the ears Of their mother in the
cottage, and with pale face and anxious
heart she ran down to the beach. 1t
reached the ears Of the people around,
and they hurried in the direction whence
if came, eager to render assistance. But
one and all they could see only the
crested waves breaking on the shore.
The bay had seized Its prey and carried
it beyond the sight of men.
Mrs. Wyman was well nigh crazcd
by grief. 1t was long before she could
be persuaded to leave the fatal beach.
II WAS feared that she would lose her
reason. and 1t was only by the use OF
opiates that she could be uuictcI.
The fathers grief was rs great. .1Ic
had left home carly in the morning. and
did not learn OF his grcat loss until a
messenger was sent to him. lie re-
fused ut first to believe she tid;nys.
''Thcy can't be dead" he murmurcd
At last he understood what had hap
pcncd.
My cod! my cmldrcnn he moancd.
'.Ncllic. Lizzie. Sadie! Dead. all dead !!
my God. my God. NIL drowned! -
' = l. L.