Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-10-18

VIII tell the children fairy tale, ana
you can 60 on with your work.
"Oh, no. indeed. not for the world
would I disappoint the dear little
lambs. and it will do me good to relate
to kind-hearted ones the story of my
rather dull life.
my father kept the lighthouse I
had no brothers or sisters, and when
at fourteen / lost my dear mother. you
can imagine how lonely was. 1t was
she who taught me to sew and to cut
my own clothes and dresses. she who
taught me all l know. Mother was a
governess before marriage and was
finely educated, so became interested
in books and study. Iloved the ocean.
loved it in all its moods. When the
sky was stormy and angry waves were
crested with creamy foam l would sit
or the rocks and admire, or when the
blue waters were serene and smooth l
would take my little boat and sail on
its mirror-like bosom for hours. Then
l loved to wander on the beach and
gather sea weed and tiny shells. After
mother died l was housekeeper. and
helped father in the care of the lamp.
and when he was sick many and many
a night have / sat alone tending the
great glowing light that shone like a
blood red ruby far out on the glisten-
ing waters. grieved over mothers
death. but father was so kind, so ten
der, he took her place in many re-
spects. So We lived until 1 was sew
enteen.
lone night in January-shall 1
ever forget that fearful night?-father
had the light burning brightly. We
were In the cheerful kitchen with a
great fire in the stove, plenty Of hot
water. blankets, whisky and other
things in readiness for any thing that
might happen. Twas darning stock
ings, father was doing in his easy
chair, when the sullen boom, boom of
guns was heard. The wind shrieked
and howled, rocking the lighthouse
like cradle. The waves dashed their
spray against the window-panes, and
snow blinded and blurred the whole
heavens. Father sprang from his
chair wide awake in a moment. l,
too, although pale and trembling from
fright, for feared a hundred dangers
in such tempest, was ready to assist
father. He was large. strong man,
and, l. although small and slight, had
considerable strength and a great deal
OF courage.
"'Come, my GIRL cried father, put
ting on his sou'wester and wrapping
himself well up. Come, We will see
what assistance We can render. Some
poor sailors will meet their fate to-
night, fear. for no boat can live in
this gale and bidding me follow him.
went down to the beach. l put on wa
terproof and hood, and with lantern
soon joined father and number of
fishermen who lived on the island, but
we were powerless. No man could
risk his life on such a night, no boat
SoulO JUL 4OC SuS1 d SUI liz 81 OOOAAs
boom went the guns of that Inflated
ship, that was fast going to her doom
on the huge rocks. cried to God to
have mercy on those poor, Inflated
firing and at last ceased. We waited
and watched to see if any bodies would
float ashore. Only one came, a man
dashed to timber.
Father and old 10, a fisherman.
carried the inanimate form to our
house. ran before. The man was
about twenty-five. tall and fine looing.
Father and 10 rubbed him. put him in
blankets. gave him hot drinks, and in
an hour he revived His name was
William Morris, second mate on the
Inflated ship Monarch. 1t was weeks
before the man was able to leave our
island home. When, after two months
stay, he returned to the city, we were
betrothed lovers. Father had been to
the owners of the vessel, and they had
given William one of the best of char
acters In another month William
came to bid goodbye. He was going
to Africa as first mate. For one year,
darling he said, as we sat together by
the kitchen fire, only one short year,
then we shall never part again. / shall
be captain then, and you shall go with
me on every voyage We parted.
That was twenty years ago this month,
and have never heard from nor seen
my sailor since" and crying softly to
herself. poor Chatty for moment
ceased talking. All three of the chill
dren wiped their eyes when they wit
messed the grief of the little dress
maker, and Mrs. Laurence patted her
softly on the shoulder. saying in low
tones: Earth has no sorrows Heaven
can not heal"
you are right and am very fool
ish to weep and mourn, when God has
been SO good to me all these years."
and trying to smile Miss Chatty con-
tinued her story.