River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-09-02
ALWAYSIN THE WAY.

and like what did they seem to be-?
She thought of the Sunday school
lesson. the Sunday before, about the
shining angels on Jacobs ladder, and
these sparks that glittered, that climb
ed from ember to ember in the big
ruddy pile before her and then spread
their bright wings for more daring
flight higher up--these must be "tiny
little baby angels" She clapped her
hands at the odd fancy. but then Patty
was always seeing or saying or doing
something queer; at least Abigail, )"
the vigorous housekeeper, thought
80. She had kept house for Skipper
John Higgins. Patty's father ever since
the death of Patty's mother four years
ago. 1t was tie houSekeePer' voice,
sharp, metallic, cold, that now put to
flight Patty's fancies as gunner's
shot would scatter flock of sea-birds
on the gray, glistening sands.
Patty what are you up TO nowP
There if you haven't started that fire
of drift wood! l have been a savin' it
for your father s comm home to night.
Always in the way of my dom things.
Git up here. +"
II didn't know it" murmured the
motherlesss little girl penitently. As
her own bare feet had battered up and
down the sands while her own brown
little hands had gathered the wood, It
seemed somehow to belong to her.
She had started this fire, too, thinking
her father would enjoy it. The
kindling was n little early, it proved,
though an hour ago the "flash-l light
at Breakers Ledge lighthouse had
giowed across the sea, and that meant
seven o'clock. Skipper John Higgins
schooner. the Lap-Wing ought to have
been in harbor by seven, and then the
fire would not have been premature.
always in the way"'
That sharp arrow of criticism both
struck and hnrt. Patty climbed the
old brown stairway leading to her little
chamber. Hank, Was that the rain
stealing with hushed footstep down
the roof? Patty looked out of her win
dow, which fronted the restless,
treacherous sea. The 'fiash-light'' at
Breakers Ledge was gone! She knew
that this indicated stormy night, and
where was her father schooner?
wish / could do something that
wouldn't be in the way, she said 10
herself Oh if she could hang up her
fathers lamp all lighted at the window
Of the iish-houSe on the big hummOck
above the beach! That might do some
good. Her father would see it maybe.
She lighted the lantern, carried it amid
the shifting rain-drops to the iish-hOuse
and when she tried TO place the lantern
on high shelf near the window. push
ed the lantern farther than she intended.
over it went. breaking in its fall, and
the next instant there was a rush of
vivid flame, forcing Patty back from
the spot.
oh" she thought, If | can only
ill that bucket with water and put out
tn fret
II was heavy bucket, and the cask
of rain water was at another fish hOuse
half way down the hummock. Back
ward and forward in the rain sped the
tired little feet and the hands were bur
dened with the heavy bucket. 1t was
of no use, aud the flames springing
along the dry walls of the fish house
ran up the rafters of the old roof quick
er than any feet of the sailors in John
Higgins crew could climb the rigging
of the Ldp-JCing.
.'Sakes - rang out a sharp voice in
Patty's ears. ''What are you up to
now? Always in the wayi You go in
to the house.
Poor rlotherless little Patty Bewild-
cred, mortified, terrified, she ran back
TO the house, stole up into her chamber
whose window-panes were all afire
with the crimson light from the burn
ing fish house, and in her wet clothing
threw herself on the floor, sobbing in
an agony of distress.
Half an hour later came skipper
John Higgins.
1--WE had hard time making our
harboI." he said to Abigail, "but there
was huge light in the sky, and we
steered for it.
Your fish-house is burnt down,
said Abigail.
Il saw it suffering and smoking
when | crossed the hummuck just now.
Let it 60. 1t saved a crew worth more
than any number of fish houses.
Where's Patty?'
There were gentle. though big,
brOnzed hands taking Patty that night
from the floor, and tucking her in
her little bed under the fisherman
roof.
Three DAYS after this, the old family
doctor was beside Patty's bed. looking
very grave. saying the child hal taken
cold. An ugly fever was raging, and
no hand could stay the destroying fire.
1t was not many days afterward that
the household were gathered where
Patty lay waiting for a call to the fold
where motherless lambs are sure of
shelter.
Her mind wandered. One moment
she seemed to be in the way of Abigail,
who was sorry now aud crying bitter
w. Another moment, Patty seemed to
watch-wh m?
She was counting, ''One-two-
three
Then her eyes seemed to follow a
strange. upward flight. Did she fancy
that She saw again the "baby angels ?
Not those, but the strong, the sheperd-
angels, who do gather the babes into
that roomy fold where numberless are
the little ones. but never are in the way.
Shall we wait to learn the lesson of
patience and forbearance for the little
ones of the household, until they are
with us no more, and our arms are
empty? No; in the hurry of a busy
life, aud when the mind and heart is
full of care. and serious burdens press
upon us, LET these things make us more
tender and watchful over the lambs of
the fold. So shall the sunshine of their
young lives tighten our cares, and
patience with their wants and way
wardness teach US to carry steadily the
heavier burdens of life.
The Tyrant Man I'm Germany.
Not content with closing the Wom-