Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-02-07
CHILDREN UP AND GROWING.
The Privateersman's Ruse-A Story of the
War Of 1872

see, under the sWaglnRi pendulAnt
branches of the old elms, the wide white
reaches of the southIying sea rolling
away TO the gray horizon line. The wind
was blowing of shore, ana the waves
were short and foam crowned. The ships
in the offing and reefs in their sails, ana
The gulls kept close 20 the shore, cluster
ing in gRrrulous focks about the reefs.
Now aud then one would essay short
flight seward, but it quickly returned,
battling with weary piuious against the
rush of the northwest gale. There was
no snow, but the earth was hard and bace,
and the wind that had that sharp tone
which is the herald Of cold and storm.
The sun, too, had lost the golden glow
of the early autumn, and it's light seemed
thin sud grew, and devoid of warmth.
The sparrows ohirped and scolded by the
hedges that marked the boundaries of the
garden, or huffcd and huuered among
evergreens that skirted the pathway run
sing down to the road. In the field be
low the house a large Newfoundland dog
was running back and fourth, barking in
high glee; for ne liked the wind and cold,
the attributes of his native cline.
The girl standing at the window watch
W Tue hOA A0l a llttit bilAANf anu AAANh
taking a hood and shawl from the chair
where they were lying, put them on and
went GU, taking the path to the shore.
She called the dog, who gladly greeted
her, and with him for a campauIoD, Went
toward the beach.
1--WE will 90 to the rocks and see the
tide come in, Rover" she said, "for it is
nearly time;' and the dog ran forward
with Joyous barks, coming back every
moment for q word and a light pat on
his shaggy head.
Soon they were close 10 the water and
following the line of wide sand beach,
along which the sea fretted in unceasing
restlessness. A reef rising In rough
masses half a mile out in the water came
shelving iandwsrd in huge layers that
seemed to have been piled above each
other in some great oonvulsion that made
the wild fury of storms seem weak and
vain. This reef ran in toward the hills
that rose little distance inland forming
a good lookout to watch the coming and
going of ships Up the rough face OF
the ledge the girl and dog clambered, the
wind srrging eround thsm with q
strength that threatened to drive then
back to tho sand they had just left, but
they persisted in their efforts and soon
succeeded in reaching the shelter of a
large bowIder that rose massive and soil
tGry at the inshore end of the reef
From this place the beach could be
seen running eastward TO wherf river
broke into the hiu line, and at its mouth
rose the dark walls of fort A few
spires jutted up beyond this, and the
roofs of buildings showed among the
trees, telling of a large town, and masts
rose above the grass crowned walls while
nearer the fort the sharply defined and
tapering masts of trim schooner broke
the gray-blue sameness of the sky.
Back of the reef aud to the right OF
the house, a road wound down the slope
back Of the fort beyond which 1t curved
and disappeared. As the girl reached
the shelter of the bowlder man came
out from the shadow of the curve and
walked quickly along the road toward the
reef. He was tall, broad shOuldered and
tanned by wind and sun, and his gait had
the unmistakable roll OF the sailor. The
blood tinge of youth and health showed
through the brown of his cheeks, making
It warm and glowing and the merry light
OF his deep set eyes drew one to him with
| that Irresistible power which always &C
com pauies honest good numor de va
/ clad in the wide trousers and short pea
| Jacket affected by men of his calling and
| the loose ends OF a black silk neckerchiei
! huttered as his throat. His hat of soft
\ felt WAS drawn tightly down on his head
! Ills brown hair flying in the wind beneath
/ il and az he walked he hummed the words
] ~ IN znnnnTVU
sweet aLd clear on the gale rushing by
He had not seen the girl when sht
clam etod up the rocks, but nov that th'
road gave his vision a wider sweep ne
noted the garments flying out BY th'
bowlder aud the log near them, and ~
quickened his already fast pace, turning
off from the road down a path that wa
more direct. The dog saw him as he en-
tered this, and with glad bark, BOUNDED
down the reef TO meet him.
This made the girl turn her glance IN h'
direction, and when she saw him her eye
frightened, and a musical Ship ahoy I!
sounded down to him.
'Hanow no answered, and while sh
was shaping trumpet with her hands Z
make another hail, he scrambled up Tn
rough rocks and stood by her side.
There, ! was just going TO hail agar
70 know it it was friendly craft" sh
SAID, land here | am, run aboard, with n
sea room for a hail"
"The craft is friendly one he an
swered taking her extended hand; bu
there is one in the offiAg yonder that
not So"
How 90 You known
"Do you see that large ship to lee
wardg"
yes"
"Wen, see how square aud trim he
yards are, AMI notice nov short her pole
look. That is an English frigatr, AM
a. you see, she is not bOthering with an
OF the sails outside
What of thial'
She Is waiting for some vessel lgin
in the harbor yonder."
The war of 1912 was going on at th
time OF this story. and the victories
he H.tle American navy with the exploi
OF the Yankee privateers had filled OF
country with pride, and Awakened En-
land 10 the fact that new naval pow'
had come to dispute her empire OF u
sea. The swift privateers we're speci'