The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-09-21

was heard as the wreck rolled and
thumped among the heavy seas, which
were now making a clean breach over
her, amidships-
Down boats,' ordered Morton. Help
the passengers in firstr'
He sprang into the cabin.
The room occupied by Mrs Barton and
her daughter was half flooded with
water.
Mabel, who sat with her arms about
her mother, mp to her knees in water,
uttered \ cry of Joy as Morton burst into
the apartment.
Can l do anything for you, Miss
Mabels" faltered Mr.. Tomtit, peering
down from the cabin-stairs.
At that moment the crash OF the bull
warks to starboard, as they were broken
IN By q sea, was hesrd-
Tomtit, not waiting for an answer to
his question, uttered n cry of terror, and,
running on deck, threw himself into q
boat, now alongside.
"Come, come" (" he cried to the sailors
on deck; Jump I'M jump in! and pull me
ashore. Tho ship is breaking up. Quick,
quick, for Gods sake''
AT that moment Morton appeared on
deck with Mabel in his arDs.
With much difficulty he got her into
the boat, which was now tossing wildly.
Tomtit was too busy holding ON with
both hands to the thwarts TO afford any
assistance.
Ordering a couple of sailors into the
boat TO watch over TIE young girl and
save her from being washed from her
place, Morton, saying he would now go
and try TO bring Mrs. Barton up, hurried
back TO the cabin
He had scarcely entered 1t when, as the
ship made n violent plunge, few OF tho
beams above the old lady's berth fol- in,
barring his further progress.
He IAN back 10 procure AN axe.
At the same moment n loud cracking
sound warned him that the ship would
soon part amidship- and go To pieces.
The tossing boat wac also in danger OF
being stove in.
Ia fact, the quarter boat had already
been smashed by lowering, 20 that the
long boat, now alongside, WAS the only
one remaining.
MortSn's decision was quickly taken.
To wait until Mrs. Barton could be got
a-t from the debris Of timbers about her
berth, aud brought up, wSuld bc 10 en-
sure the destruction OF every person
aboard; for. by that time, the ship would
have gone To pieces. ...
The young captain therefore resolved
not TO uait-at least, not TO keep the
others waiting.
He ordered all the sailors into the
boat
. When they were there, he said:
Now, lnds, pull for shore. There is a
sand besch yonder, vherc you may be
able TO land in safety
Come on, captain!' cried tho mate.
"No, my duty IL here. will not leave
the craft while there IS = human being
aboard
My mOtheri Ny poor mother.'' walled
Mabel, wringing her hands. Il viii not
forsake her.
And she tried to got to the deck.
The mate gently restrained her.
"It is for the best. Miss Barton, - cried
Morton. Il am going TO stay in order
that | can try TO save your mother.
Good bye"
Mr.. TOntit Will stay and help YOU"
cried Mabel
Really" Rasped Tomtit, IL don't
think would be of any use. For Gods
sake, let Us start before we are all
drowned"'
With n blow Of his axe Morton sevared
the warp, and the boat in u moment was
whirled away from the ship.
The captain rushed into the cabin.
He worked with tho strength of a
young lion, with the water mp to his
hips.
Timber after timber gave way beneath
his vigorous blows, until at last he forced
n passage to the invalid's berth
Just then an oIninous sound reached
him.
IL was the grinding swapping noise of
the vessel ss her t.mbers were giving
away amidships.
Morton realized that be would not have
time TO drag Mrs. Barton on deck.
He carried her into the cabin, however,
attached life -preserver TO her, rnd then
secured her and himself to n large beam.
He had scarcely done so when, with n
laundering crash, the ship parted, break
ing up.
Amid the debris of whirling timbers.
ropes, and spars, Morton struggled with
his charge-strove TO keep her head above
water.
At last the waves washed both, half
senseless, upon the beach, where they
were picked up by those who had safely
reached the shore m the boat.
Mrs. Barton and her daughter were
very grateful 90 Morton for his noble con
duct
TO think of his risking his life, and
taking 80 much trouble for an old use
less, paralytio woman Ike myselfr' said
Mabel's mother TO her child. with tears in
her eyes.
How different his conduct from Tom
tit's"' said Mabel. "Tomtit thought only
OF himself-was, in fact, too frightened
TO think of anyone else. He wanted the
men 10 pull ashore and leave you and the
rest of US in the larch. After Jhat,
mother, hope"
But, my child, he Is rich Surely you
will not refuse to marry him1"
81 cannot marry 30 selfish = person."
answered Mabel Think of il, mother
think Of his conduct to-day"
''It was bad, but Wen, well, child,
do a. you like"
Having obtained thispermission, Mabel
hastened TO inform Tomtit that she had
changed her mind, and would never be
his wife.
A few days later the castaways were
picked up by vessel bound TO Boston.
Before IL arrived there Mabel was the
promised wife of Captain Morton
They were married n few months later.
The captain, who had some money
saved, built house, and insisted on Mrs.
Barton always making her home with her
daughter.
The three are very happy together.
Morton is now wealthy shipowner, and
Mrs. Barton has many reasons for feeling
thankful that her daughter married him
instead of romtit. The latter proved to
be a worthless adventurer and gambler,
whose stories of riches and the fortune
he was heir to was a mere fabrication.
The Time To Make Friends.
"I made my money by having no