Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-12-21

pierce TO the heart of that throbbing hive
and pluck from it some secret hidden
there. a glimpse of the moon showed
overhead for a moment, and the spars
and ropes stood ont clearer, but soon IT
was yelled, and the figure went on in the
dark up and down, up and down as be-
fore.
''GOd bless you, mates, for this nights
work. God bless youl"
The words stole out into the air from
the open companionway, and Old Tom
Saunders, who had uttered them, came
up with a bottle and pan. Once he
stumbled in his haste, but quickly re-
covering himself, he came on to the
deck. The silent figure had paused and
turned toward the voice. 1t moves to-
ward it, and then with a wild cry
springs forward. The light from the
ships lantern falls on Old Toms face,
haggard and blanched and excited on
the face of the other, too-young and
hearty, but sad and white with passion.
And in the yellow glow the two men
know each other
With grand sweep of the hand the
stranger has dashed from the old mans
hand the bottle, and it lies smashed
upon the timbers, while the young,
manly face is thrust into the others and
voice cries in his ears: Course it t., Let
1t lie there. 1t was that robbed me o
my wife. 1t was that drove me away
into the world q wanderer in search of
her. Curse the stuff! 1t was the cause
of all" and the heavily shodden foot
comes down on the splintered glass till
it crackles beneath it. Old Tom has
started back aghast at the young mans
vehemence, but in that moment rises to
his Inns thaf Il
passion away:
only God, Ned, it was for her! She
is dying"
The strong hand of the young seaman
is on the others arm, and the face is
even whittier as he demands
"What do you mean! She is dying.
Where? Speak, man! Tell me at once"
There, in that boat. Yes, that old
hulk of a canawler," he adds, in response
to the others inquiring glance. THAT'S
what we've come to now"
The young man turns and is at the
vessels side before Old Tom can call
out: ''Where are you going? You will
kill her. Didn't tell you she is dying
dying of want"
From the others breast comes a groan,
deep, prolonged one, and he says in an
altered tone:
Lead me to her. God will not rob
me of her now. Come along"
The two pass over the wharf and go
down into the cabin of the old boat,
from which the dim light is shining, and
there, awakened from her swoOn, but
still dazed and frightened, is the girl of
the young mans love, the wife of his
thoughts, lying like blighted flower.
The father was the first to descend,
no +11T nd +poo two 10
his companion.
GA moment, Ned. Wait a moment.
The surprise is too sudden"
The young man drew back into the
shadow while the other lifted up the
woman and seated her by the berth. II
am better, father" she said, and laid her
head YEARLY beside the sleeping child.
But old Toms actions soon attracted her
He was smiling, actually smiling, and
rubbing his hands with infinite cOmpla-
cency She said nothing but looked at
him inquiringly.
Its a good nights Christmas Eve"
he blurted out. 1--we always heerd so.
Amt you, Libbie? Sandy Claws brings
things t. chil'ren, and friends come to-
gether and news comes O people that
amt been round for ever SO long. Don't
they, ehI"
She looked at him more lntently than
ever, and there was an eager, appealing
look in her eyes.
mo one knows when luck may change.
Do they?" the man continued.
"Father, you have heard something.
Tell me, is it about HING
bout Ned? Well, yes, I have. Now,
don't take on, Libbie, You'll be quiet
and easy, like good gal"
1T is about him You have seen him.
y on have net HIM. He has come for me
at last"
She turned toward the cabin door and
was stretching her hand toward it when
she was clasped to the breast of her hus-
band and his voice repeated: "At last"
There were tears and caresses and ex-
plantations Ned HAD come back from
his wanderings as mate of the big bark
with promise Of soon having the com
nand of a vessel for himself. In the Joy
of the moment all the haIdshjps and pri-
of the past were forgotten, and
as the bluff seaman cuddled his own
child, whose acquaintance he then made
for the first time, he said to the happy
mother: