The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-10-15


them both in what he merrily called a
"triple hug
Weeks slipped by, while Jimmy con-
tinulug to sell papers, with varying
but ever increasing success, and Tom
rapidly regained health and strength,
to finally ship again as deck hand on
board great vessel which was to
carry grain to Southern France, and
return God will;ng) loaded with the
rich wines and the luscious fruits of
that favored country.
"You can earn enough money to
pay the rent said bis brother, as they
talked it all over, land Mother Jenkins
says You shall share her bite and sup
80 long as they last, and III pay when
we drop anchor in the bay again.
There, there, boy, keep up a good
heart it won't be long, you know
But Jimmy cried all night it was
so lonesome with Tom gone. Then
bright thought checked the tears and
he sept peacefully. Next morning
the thought returned, and, acting up
on it, he crept out of bed, took the
precious red comforter from his little
shelf, and folding it with loving
touch, laid it in Toms sea chest which,
packed, but not yet corded, stood by
the bed.
dts all I've got to give him."
thought Jimmy, sadly, "and it'll keep
him warm when he stands watch these
cold nights"
So, unknown TO Tom, the long, red
length of comfort went with him, to
help the battle against cold and storm,
while Jimmy was left to fight the
world and stormier fate at home.
Another great vessel, very different
from the clumsy concern Tom sailed
in, left the bay week later--a steam
ship with flying pennons, decks gay
with people, and enough shiny wood
gildlngs and mirrors to have furnished
dozen houses an ocean passenger
steamer bound for havre, freighted
with thousand souls, and the ten
thousand things necessary to their com
fort. Upon its decks stoood Mr.. and
Mrs. Wentworth and Milly. They
were going to France for the lady's
health, while Milly was to have an out
ing and learn from natures great
school for while.
About three days out the weather
became very unpleasant; rain aud chill
ing fog WED with tempestuons wind
and storm to delay their course, but
the luxurious ship--a world in itself
laughed at old oceans moods, and
plowed steadily onward, quite undaunt-
ed. 1t was, however, far worse for
draught vessels, often overloaded and
i'll managed, and dependent upon wind
and tide for their speed and safety.
But Milly never thought of these, as,
glorying in her perfect immunity from
seasckness, she roamed the great
steamer fore and aft, making friends
with passengers and crew, and asking
questions which often made the latter
scratch their heads in perplexity.
They were about week out and far
from eithe, shore ; the fog had lifted,
and brilliant morning sun lighted the
broad, comparatively smooth expanse
Of sea. The Captain, glass in hand,
was slowly scanning the horizon, and
Milly, close by, with no lens but those
of her keen young eyes, scanned it
with equal dignity and care. About
southwest his glass came to a sudden
standstill, then he took it from his
eyes and was eagerly rubbing his
lenses, when the watch suddenly sang
out, "Sail ho!'
"Where away ?" cried the Captain,
readjusting his glass.
$40 leeward,' came the prompt re-
ply, and in moment the two were
consulting in eager tones.
Soon after the steady plunging of
the engines grew slower and slower,
then almost ceased gentlemen passen-
gers began to climb to elevated places
and gaze through their own glasses,
and she herd one say
eyes, it's an open boat, evidently a
small one, too. See they are going
to the rescue. It's well the fog lifted
when it did, or we would never have
sighted them in the world
The excitement increased, for every
incident becomes an event in the
monotony of sea life, and especially
everything that speaks of danger and
shipwreck.
Milly watched them lower away tfe
boat and man it, the officer descending
last of all and giving orders, which
caused each upraised oar to drop as if
run by machinery, sending the little
craft cutting swiftly through the waves,
then, throwing her glance beyond it,
for the first time she saw speck
against the sky-a BIZ ok speck with
a fiery tip, apparently-could that be
the lost boat ? Supported ON the taft
rail by her fathers arm. she could now
see the fiery tip was really a flag or
pennon floating upon the masthead,
and at last could make out the shape
of the boat, and even the few figures
within it. Then the ships boat reach
ed it the figures bobbed about, mix
ing themselves indistinguishably, after
which the life-saving craft put about
and came rapidly shipward, towing
the Others in its wake. "A nearer view
showed Milly five rescued men and
one boy, lying at full length, apparent
| ly dead still nearer view could it
be possible p discovered that gay pell-
non to be her own red comforter, tas-
sells and all streaming in the breeze.
| Speechless she turned to her father
but Notwithstanding, he excitedly lift
ed her down and ran with the crowd
to see the rescued men helped aboard
| Meanwhile, down the cabin gang
way fled Milly and burst in upon the
astonished ladies there with a cry:
"Mamma, mamma ! what do you
think They've saved them, and my
comforter was the flag !"
"Milly, my child ~ cried the mother
springing to her feet. "Good heavens
has this excitement driven her mad 2
| But, perssting that she was still
sane, Milly dragged her mother deck
ward to see for herself.
Yes, there was no mistaking it
there, in its vivid warmth of color
fluttered the comforter n little see